This particular mixed succulent bowl lives on our long garden table. It receives full sun for most of the day so I was looking for a centrepiece that I could basically leave alone. I wanted a rambling sort of look since the table is quite long and large. I’ve been so happy with the result.
Here’s how I created my mixed succulent bowl…
The Steps…
The first step is to select a suitable pot. For the best results, choose a pot that is wide but not deep. I picked up this pot from Bunnings. It cost somewhere in the vicinity of $30 from memory. Make sure your chosen pot has a drainage hole.
Next I grabbed a small bag of succulent potting mix. Drainage is the key to success here so whatever media you use, make sure it has excellent drainage. If you have leftover potting mix lying around, add large pieces such as mulch or gravel so water drains away without trouble.
Next is plant selection. There are so many options here. Select the plants you love and ones that create interest. I went for plants with varying leaf shapes, sizes and colour and ones that would cascade over the side of the pot. I also included ones that flower so I have the added interest during the warmer months when we’re all sitting around the table.
Here are the plants I chose…
Echeveria sp. – Hen & Chicken
Most people will recognise the Echeveria. They are commonly available in a wide range of leaf shapes, sizes and colours making them a perfect addition to a mixed succulent bowl. They form an upright rosette that produces slender flower spikes of small bell shaped pink / yellow flowers during Spring and Summer. Multiple rosettes will form which can be easily removed to produce new plants.
Sedum sp. – Jelly Plant Plant / Pork & Beans
The Jelly Bean plant is a popular one that derives its name from the fact that the leaves look just like juicy jelly beans (I have no idea where the Pork & Beans thing came from). These small, plump, glossy leaves sit on vertical stems and produce red tips as they mature. In Spring and Summer, a profusion of yellow flower buds followed by pink star-shaped flowers appear.
Gasteria sp. – Ox Tongue / Lawyer’s Tongue
This is one of my favourite succulents, definitely adding a uniqueness to the mix. It receives its common name due to its long, think, strappy leaves. These have a roughish texture and are covered in white spots. During the warmer months it produces red flowers on an upright flower stem.
Sedum sp.
Another Sedum. This one is called ‘Gold Blob’. I chose this particular one for its lime green colour and cascading foliage. It looked amazing a few of months ago before it succumbed to Mealybug attack. Fortunately I caught it early enough to save the plant (and stop it spreading). I gave it a good cutting back and plenty of new growth is now appearing.
Crassula perforata – String of Buttons
String of Buttons certainly has an interesting growth habit. The red rimmed, heart / triangle-shaped leaves grow in a spiral fashion around the plant’s stem giving it the appearance that someone stuck a skewer through the middle. The stems can get to over 50cm in length, growing in an arc downwards then back up again creating quite a dramatic effect. Clusters of small, star-shaped cream flowers appear in Spring.
Go for it…
There was no rhyme or reason as to where the plants went in the pot except to locate the cascading ones near the edge. New plants often appear as a result of leaves coming into contact with the potting mix. I remove these if needed and pop them in another pot for use somewhere else. Air circulation is important.
Once planted, I watered them in and added black stones that I had lying around (these were purely decorative in the early stages although they do assist in retaining moisture).
I water the bowl when the mix feels dry but other than that, my succulent bowl gets very little love. It keeps on giving though. 🙂
