16 Creative Succulent Garden Ideas

These creative succulent garden ideas use unusual containers to create unique succulent planters. Projects include a birdbath, kitchen chair, picture frame, hypertufa, and other recycled items.

If you are new to succulents, there are beginner instructions here for growing String of Pearls (Semecio rowleyannus) to give an idea of what is needed.

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Creative Succulent Ideas

When choosing succulents for outdoor planters, first consider if you want the plants to stay outdoors all year-long or will bring them indoors for the winter.

There are plenty of cold hardy succulents, good for zones 4 to 7, including various Stonecrop sedums and some Sempervivums.

Ground covers like Sedum acre (Gold Moss) and Sedum reflexum ‘Angelina’ are also cold hardy options.

Other succulents are tender and will need overwintering without going below 40°F (4.5°C).

If I have DIY project instructions available, you will see a link listed below.

You can order succulents online here: SucculentsBox.com (US Shipping). Also look for succulents in your garden (or a friend’s garden). Some of the hardy varieties are easy to divide for projects like these ones.

Let’s dive into the ideas.

1Succulent Chair Planter

One really important thing with succulents in the garden is plant them where you can see them. Give them a staring role in the garden.

Here the succulents are planted on the seat of a kitchen chair.

Related: Garden Chair Idea Gallery

2Succulent Bird Cage

This famous bird cage planter was created by Susan St. Louis. The plant spilling from the cage is known as donkey tails or burro tails (Sedum morganianum).

If you want tips and plant suggestions for a cage like this see
How to Create a Bird Cage Planter.

3Hypertufa Heart Planter

Various sedums and chicks and hens fill this heart-shaped homemade hypertufa planter.

You can make a bunch of hypertufa planters in an afternoon in whatever shapes you like.

Plant Suggestions

• Sedum spurium ‘Ruby Mantle‘ (zone 4 hardy)
• Sedum acre ‘Gold Moss‘ (zone 4 hardy)
• Rosularia platyphylla (zone 5 hardy)
• List of Hardy Succulents | Mountain Crest Gardens
• Shop for succulents by mail order: SucculentBox.com (US only)

4Succulent Wreath

Wreath planters start with a good metal wreath form like this one on Amazon.

How to Plant It

• Use a leg of pantyhose filled with succulent potting mix placed in and around the form.
• Cut small holes where you want to place each plant.
• Cover gaps with moss or coir and hold in place with fishing line.

Plant Suggestions

• Sempervivum ‘Oddity’ (zone 5 hardy)
• Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg‘ (zone 9)
• Crassula ovata ‘Baby Jade’ (zone 10)
• Graptopetalum paraguayense (zone 9)

5Giant Teacup Planter

If you get one of these giant teacups, see if you can drill drainage holes in the base to prevent your succulents from getting water-logged. I use a diamond drill bit for this.

Or, water carefully, never overfilling the cup.

Similar Succulent Suggestions :

• Sempervivum arachnoideum ‘Cebenese’ (zone 5 hardy)
• Sedum reflexum ‘Angelina’ (zone 4 hardy)
• Sedum spathulifolium ‘Harvest Moon‘ (zone 6 hardy)

6Boot Planters

Imagine how many damaged boots and shoes end up in landfills each year. These old work boots make fine planters.

Plant Suggestion

• Sedum spurium ‘Bronze Carpet’ (zone 4 hardy)

7Picture Frame Succulent Planter

This gorgeous framed succulent planter is from the book, Gardening on a Shoestring by Alex Mitchell. It’s one of my favorite creative gardening books.

The complete step-by-step tutorial for this project is here: DIY Succulent Wall Planter.

8Plant Shelf

This is another creation by Susan St. Louis. She is equal parts creative gardener and artist.

The shelf (instructions here) is made from plain 2×4 boards. The magic comes with the addition of burlap fabric and various tropical plants.

If you like to put your houseplants outdoors in the summer, a covered spot like this is a good option for preventing overexposure to the sun, rain, and wind.

Plant Shelf Project Instructions

9Watering Can Planter

Yes, just about anything can be a succulent planter. Drill drainage holes if you can or water carefully to prevent root rot.

My favorite trick is to keep plants in removable pots that sit inside the watering can.

Related: Watering Can Garden Art Ideas

10Rectangular Hypertufa Planters

If you are making a batch of hypertufa pots, consider making a matching set in various sizes. They look great grouped together in the garden.

How to Make Hypertufa Containers

11Bird Bath Planter

How beautiful is this? Barb of Our Fairfield Home and Garden is a master at wonderful plantings. You can see how she made this birdbath planter here.

This is also part of a Gallery of Birdbath Planters if you would like more ideas like this.

12Succulent Fairy Garden

There a numerous small succulents that work nicely in a fairy-themed container garden. Browse your local nursery and see what’s available. Or divide existing ones from your own garden. You can always transplant the hardy ones back into the garden in early fall to keep them going through the winter.

How to Make a Fairy Garden

13Donkey Tail Wall Planter

Donkey tail or burro tail (Sedum morganianum) are used as houseplants. I love how these ones hang from the planter. A zebra plant and aloe vera are also tucked in there.

Euphorbia myrsinites or creeping spurge is a poisonous and sometimes confused with donkey tail.

Types of Succulents (with Pictures) | Succulents and Sunshine

14Birdhouse With Green Roof

This is another garden art creation by Barb of Our Fairfield Home and Garden. She created roof top planters on her birdhouses. The instructions are here.

15Strawberry Pot With Succulents

Yes, Barb of Our Fairfield Home and Garden made this one too. Start with a selection of robust succulents and wow, what a gorgeous planter.

If you want more ideas, see Creative Uses for Strawberry Pots.

16Succulent Painted Shoes

Be sure to wear your love of succulents!

These Echiveria shoes were hand-painted using these instructions.

If you enjoyed these ideas, be sure to sign up for the free Empress of Dirt Creative Newsletter for fresh ideas every second Friday.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛