Supplies Required
18-inch-diameter, 8-inch-deep pot Cactus mix potting soil, small bag Five fist-size rocks Dwarf Euphorbia milii (half gallon) 25 succulent cuttings, assorted Crushed black lava rock White pumice (to go under blue tumbled glass) Light blue tumbled glass
Step 1: Prep Pot
Fill the pot nearly to the top with cactus mix potting soil—it provides the amount of drainage succulents need. You can find a cactus mix sold at any nursery or garden center.
Step 2: Place Rocks
Place an odd number (three or five) fist-size rocks on the surface of the soil. Put them close to each other and off-center to suggest natural terrain.
Step 3: Start Planting
Add a high plant, also off-center, into the container garden. We recommend a dwarf Euphorbia milii cultivar, but there are plenty of other options you can try.
Step 4: Fill Container
Tuck in small rooted succulents and cuttings so they appear to have grown among the rocks. Vary the plant colors and textures, and arrange so no soil shows.
Step 5: Finish Succulent Garden
Add contrasting hues of black lava rock and white pumice to cover remaining bare soil, then add crushed, tumbled glass atop the pumice for sparkle in the topmost layer.
Succulent Plant Care
Give the succulent container garden half a day of sun in all but desert areas, or keep it in dappled shade. Water it thoroughly twice a month and protect it from excessive rainfall lest the plants rot. Overwinter the potted succulent garden indoors if temperatures in your area drop below freezing. Gradually introduce it to greater sunlight in spring to avoid sunburn.
