Make this succulent wall planter with these step-by-step instructions. It’s a living wall of succulents in a picture frame! Sempervivums, also known as hens and chicks, are the perfect drought-tolerant choice for this vertical garden project.
This tutorial is an excerpt from the wonderful new book, Gardening on a Shoestring: 100 Fun Upcycled Garden Projects by Alex Mitchell. If you love this, you may also enjoy 10 Delightful DIY Succulent Projects.
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Quick Links – Make a Succulent Wall Planter
Gardening on a Shoestring
I knew as soon as I started flipping through this book that I would love it. Creative and frugal gardeners of the world unite! Gardening on a Shoestring by Alex Mitchell is filled with ideas for transforming everyday items into unique living art and functional garden essentials with a twist.
You know how I wrote about creating my dream garden on a very low budget of just $100 per year?
The same idea is at play here.
It’s not about being cheap or skimping. It’s about making the most of what you have, repurposing and re-imaginging, letting go of conformity, allowing yourself to play, and coming up with unique and fabulous garden decor. Garden decor that might just be bursting with the delicious colours of dozens of hens and chicks.
Create a Living Wall of Art—in a Frame
Sempervivums (hens and chicks) are a perfect choice for this project. They are not only drought-tolerant, but have very shallow roots. Find a sturdy, old picture frame from a yard sale or thrift shop, grab a few supplies, and you’re all set.
This project is excerpted from Gardening on a Shoestring by permission from the publisher who also provided a copy of this book.
Project Materials
- 1 picture frame (bear in mind, the bigger the frame, the heavier the finished tapestry will be).
- 1 wood saw
- Wooden board (any type) to make the frame. The length depends on the size of the frame. For a large frame, choose a board 2 x 1 inches; for a smaller frame, 1 x 1/2 inch.
- 1 tape measure
- 1 drill and wood screws if you want to secure everything together with screws rather than glue
- 3 square feet of greenhouse shading material (you can buy this by the foot from a home-improvement store), or, if you can’t find this, use weed barrier or landscape fabric.
- Exterior wood glue
- Weights, such as bricks
- 1 bag sphagnum moss (this kind used for lining baskets)
- 1 bag potting soil
- 1 piece of exterior plywood to form the back of the frame (you can get this cut to measure at major DIY stores)
- Scissors
- Enough sempervivums to fill the frame, in various colours
- Watering can with rose attachmentKeep in mind that the larger the frame, the heavier your project will be.
Project Assembly
- Cut your wood into 4 pieces to make a box that fits onto the back of the frame.
- Glue the greenhouse shading onto the picture frame.
- Stick the wood on top of the shading material to make a box.
- Drill drainage holes in the bottom of the frame.
- Mix moss and soil together and pour into the frame.
- Cut plywood to fit the back of the frame.
- With scissors, cut crosses in the shading material.
- Push in your plants.
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Detailed Instructions
- Turn over the picture frame and lay it flat on the ground. With your saw, cut the wood into four pieces that fit along the four sides of the back of the frame to create a box. It makes sense to fit this box to the inner rather than outder edges of the frame to make the finished tapestry less heavy. Lay the narrower edge of the wood on the frame with the deeper edge vertical to give the box more depth for the plants to grow in it.
- Next, take your piece of greenhouse shading material and lay it on the back of the picture frame. Pull it taut, it doesn’t matter if it overhangs. Apply wood glue all around the edge of the frame onto the shading material and also onto the bottom sides of the four wooden pieces. Stick these pieces down on top of the shading material to create the box and weigh them down with something heavy (bricks, for example) until the surfaces bond securely. Allow to dry thoroughly. Now drill three holes in the bottom edge of the frame, each with a diameter around 1/16 inch. These will act as drainage holes so the compost does not become waterlogged.
- Mix together the sphagnum moss and soil in equal quantities and then press it into the box. Tuck it into every corner and make sure the whole box is full, otherwise the soil will drop to the bottom when you stand the picture frame upright.
- Once you are happy that it is filled, cut the piece of plywood to fit the box and glue it onto the wood. If you don’t want to cut the plywood, most big DIY stores offer a cutting service when you buy from them. If you are hanging the picture on the wall, drill a hole in the top of the plywood to hang it from. Weigh down the plywood back with stones, plant pots, or anything heavy to ensure the bond is secure.
- Once the glue is dry and bonded, fly over the frame; you are not ready to plant. Using scissors, cut crosses in the shading material and push in your plants, aiming for a varied spread of colors and textures. The material will keep the plants and soil from falling out.
- Try to fill the frame completely, but if you still see some material, don’t worry, the plants will soon grow to hide it. Water the frame from above with a watering can fitted with a rose attachment.
Leave the frame lying flat on the ground for a week to let the plants settles and root into the soil, then mount it on a wall or prop it up on a ledge where it can be admired.
Care for Your Framed Succulents
Every couple of weeks, lay the frame flat and water it. Leave to drain for half an hour or so before hanging it up again.
Contents include:
- How to be a Shoestring Gardener
- Pots for a Pittance
- Style on a Shoestring
- Grow Food for Peanuts
- Now to Make New Plants for Free
- How Not to Waste Money on Gardening Supplies
- Keep Your Garden Healthy for (Almost) Nothing
Here’s Your Next Project
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛
Next
- Make a Sweet Pea Garden Arch
- 20+ Arbor, Trellis, & Obelisk Ideas | Empress of Dirt
- DIY Strawberry Arbor | Empress of Dirt
- DIY Outdoor Plant Shelf | Empress of Dirt
- DIY Trellis for Climbing Fruits & Veggies | Empress of Dirt
- How to Make a Wood Tomato Cage | Empress of Dirt
- How to Build Tomato Cages from Wood | Empress of Dirt
- Create a Staircase Plant Stand | Empress of Dirt
Melissa J. Will says
**************Giveaway Now Closed******************
Thanks for entering!
Winners have been notified.
B. Carey says
I would love to win the book Gardening on a Shoestring. That is what I do in my garden. Most of my plants are home grown from seed or traded for at plant swaps. I make a lot of my garden decor. Always looking for new ideas to grow my garden on a shoestring.
Linda Fournier says
This is an awesome idea! I am eager to see what other ideas “Gardening on a Shoestring” can give me! Thanks for posting!
Gail D. says
I would love to win “Gardening on a Shoestring”! I am gathering succulents to build a living wreath, and I plan to start a kalanchoe garden. The more succulents I see the more I want!
Suzanne says
Gardening on a Shoestring sounds like a fun book, and useful for me. My budget doesn’t extend to the garden this year. Too many repairs to make indoors.
Kathryn O'Gara says
Gardening on a shoe string sounds like the book for me! I am gardening on half a shoe string!
Norma Landry says
I hope I am the winner of “Gardening on a Shoestring”. I love sharing plants with my friends, which saves us all a lot of $$.
Jennifer Eldredge says
I love the living wall art you shared from the book, Gardening on a Shoestring! I have seen the frames in stores and online but they are expensive to buy. I have been hoarding succulents (they are so easy to separate and re-plant, even I can do it with my brown thumb! Would love to see the book. Never thought of a project like that to be “on a shoestring” but now I believe it!
Susie Hileman says
I have loved succulents for years so Gardening on a shoestring also is up my alley. My husband says I like junk too much, but I love to up cycle and recycle.
Mike Flegle says
Gardening on a shoestring. And speaking of shoestrings, a fun and funky “container” to use for plants that don’t need much root space, is old work boots. They look great in the garden!
Joyce McCandless says
Gardening on a Shoestring is my kind of book…would love to have it!!!!!!!!!!!
Kathryn Courtney says
I would love to have Gardening on a Shoestring. Buying new house so definitely on shoestring budget!
Val M says
Love to have Gardenig on a Shoestring! My favorite recycled Gardenig container is my mother-in-law’s old roaster pan, now Ms Grace is with us all the time and sedum just loves the container!
Jeanne Mayes says
I would love a copy of Gardening on a Shoestring!! Working in the yard is a favorite pastime for me. A book that has new ideas for the garden is perfect.
Lisa Stewart says
I’m Excited to plan a creative flower garden in my yard this year with Gardening on a Shoestring ????????
Edie Zsuzsics says
Would absolutely LOVE to have a copy of ‘Gardening on a Shoestring”!! Always looking for new ideas to try. Just bought some hens and chicks and can’t wait to try this frame.
David Bilan says
Speaking of “Gardening on a Shoestring,” I once gathered all my old shoes, built a flat of inclined shelves and nailed the shoes into the shelves. Filled shoes with soil and planed herbs… I had a march of flavor…
Lynell Graw says
I’d love a copy of gardening on a shoestring ! Thank you .
Sheila G. says
“Gardening on a Shoestring” sounds like my kind of gardening.
Kayla Garza says
Gardening On a Shoe String would be a great gift idea for friends and family who like arts and crafts! Here in El Paso, TX the long growing season leaves me with plenty of time to experiment with “upcycling”. Make-shift containers and recycled wood pieces can lead to a unique backyard garden!
Kathleen Yerby says
Gardening on a Shoestring is what I DO daily and every weekend while scouring estate sales for a new plant or gnome or plant pick or other treasure that I don’t have or want more of and can’t wait to transplant at home. Thank you for the beautiful book giveaway, Empress! 🙂
Linda Tino says
Gardening on a shoestring would be a perfect prize for me as I’m newly retired and definitely learning how to do things on shoestring budget. Thanks for all your great wisdom and fun projects
Joseph Zaversnik says
Needs help and ideas for the new house and drab landscape. I think Gardening On A Shoestring would give me some inspiration. Have allot of re-purpose ideas in mind and using low water, hardy plants for landscape. Any ideas on xeriscaping?
Fallen Lifestyle says
This is such a great idea! I love gardening and these tips would be a great help! 🙂
Teri Smith says
Gardening on a shoestring is totally me. I love to re purpose and create. Loving your post to always see your creative ways and how your re-purpose mind works. Thank you Melissa hope to win your new book.
Alice Haataja says
Would love to win Gardening on a shoestring. Always looking for new ideas!
Trish Downey says
Gardening on A Shoestring – considering the economy this would be a great add to my collection!
Gerry Kramer says
Gardening on a Shoestring sound like my kind of gardening. I am currently working on a number of recycled pallet planters and a new raised bed or two for this year.
Pat Phillips says
Gardening on a Shoestring would be the perfect source for me to share ideas with my friends who have just formed our own gardening club. Sounds like lots of fun!
Marlene Dniels says
Would love to win a copy of Gardening on a Shoestring. I found an old piano bench last year at a garage sale and added succulents to it, it turned out awesome. This book is right up my alley.
jakki dodds says
would love to win a copy of Gardening on a Shoestring-i have quite a collection of succulents and a passion for plants and gardening, and i love the succulent wall art idea-i must try this!
Vicky Salmela says
I would love to win the book “Gardening on a Shoestring” ! Love your web site!!
Pat jackson says
I love Gardening on a shoestring! I work in a facility for the handicapped and we have a green house and store,always looking for economical ideas to sell in the store and projcts for our clients to get involved with. This book would be so useful.We have been doing succulents in picture frames for a couple of years now. People love them!
Marketa Havlik says
Gardening on a Shoestring
Succulent living wall
Robyn Fletcher says
Wow, would love to win Gardening on a Shoestring. Will definitely be trying this living wall of art. It’s beautiful!
Gudie says
Would love to win Gardening on a Shoestring, just started gardening and need ideas, that is why I love this site. Great ideas, and for me, Very important to be frugal, since it can be expensive.
Love your posts….
Evelyn Lynch says
Gardening on a Shoestring sounds like a great book. Enter me please!
Ellen says
Gardening on a Shoestring is exactly what I do. I need some new ideas!
Sheila Simpson says
I have been Gardening on a shoestring or something very similiar for the past 5 years.
We purchased an older, as is, fixer upper home and with it came 2.5 acres of land… I keep a very open eye to see what I can find and use to make it as I want it…
Congrats to the winner.. You will get great use of it
Judie says
“Gardening on a Shoestring” looks like an awesome book. I only have a small garden area
Frani says
I would be thrilled to win Gardening on a Shoestring so I would have sparkling new ideas at my fingertips.
Ellen Smith says
Would love to have this book. Always looking for ways to garden within my budget. And I love succulents. I took the bottom dish from a terra cotta pot and planted several plants in it along with a small gnome. Perfect for a shady corner.
Carolyn Winn says
GARDENING ON A SHOESTRING appears to be just the inspiration needed for creating special gifts for friends and family!
Marilyn Falcone says
“Gardening on a Shoestring” will enable me to complete this year’s garden canvas painted with different colors, textures and heights. One person’s ideas spawn other ideas , while incorporating the basics found in this DIY book. I also want to make glass dish flowers this year.
DJ says
Gardening on a Shoestring sounds like a great book! I love container/bucket gardening.
Tim Eady says
“Gardening on a Shoestring looks like a fabulous book with lots of neat ideas!
Judy Durocher says
Hi! I’m always looking for upcycling projects and have succulents around my small waterfall/pond! Just might try this project from Gardening on a Shoestring! Hope I’m lucky!
Joy O'Connor says
I love the look of this and especially with a little bench below with small clay pots and more of these adorable succulents … you can’t have too many of them right ?
Gardening on a Shoestring is a perfect inspirational book to get those creative juices flowing I would love to have it !
Thanks Melissa for this wonderful, artful post and the opportunity for winning the book : )
Joy
Pam McDaniel says
Look forward to” Gardening on a Shoestring” since that is how we garden . I save seeds to plant & get cuttings from friends & make all kinds of garden art to place in our whimsical yard. I have been known to pick up others trash!
Retired & on a tight budget & loving it!
Robbie Dendy says
Gardening on a Shoestring would be a fun, informative book for my library. I love to garden and to make cute objects to go in our garden. I have gotten lots of ideas from Empress of Dirt website!
Nancy Kurul says
Gardening on a Shoestring might actually help me get away from the computer and creating new things!
Kathy Philipp says
Gardening on a Shoestring would be a great win! I am a frugal gardener and always looking for interesting ideas. I make planters out of Goodwill finds and tuck them into nooks and crannies for those that explore my garden.
Marci Strode says
I already have everything (but the plants) for this project, which my grandson would absolutely love & would look great adorning the balcony wall of their new apartment. If I win this book can’t wait to see how many other projects I can make for myself & friends on a raveling shoestring budget.
Kathy Scott says
I’d love to win this book, “Gardening on a Shoestring.” My daughter-in-law created a lovely arrangement of succulents in a straw chair seat which she put by the front door. This project told me that I could try my hand at something that is not complicated or expensive.
Gail Pabst says
Would love to have GARDENING ON A SHOESTRING – what a great sounding book!
Marlene says
I love the Succulent Wall Planter. I am on a fixed income and I find both freecycle.org and Craigs list are good sources for free plants. I look forward to exploring all that Gardening on a Shoestring has to offer.
Melissa Bennett says
I would LOVE to win a copy of Gardening on A Shoestring!
Susan Beseke says
Gardening on a Shoestring looks like a great book with lots of thrifty ideas. I’d love to get a copy. I’m anxiously waiting for warmer weather in Minnesota to get out in the flower gardens! I love separating my daylilies and hostas to get more.
Thanks!
Bonnie Butler says
Hi, I am an antique little girl (senior), on a very limited budget. But I love to make beautiful things, encluding my garden. Have some old picture frames, going to try this priest from Gardening on a shoestring. Would love the book. Love your blog!!
Bonnie
Susan Bryant says
Sign me up for the drawing to win Gardening on a Shoestring.
Susan Bryant
Tanya Miller says
Gardening on a Shoestring AND succulents!!! What could be better? Haworthia, Lithops and Crassula, oh my!
P.S. This framed succulent project is the Bee’s Knees.
Marie-Josee Brais says
Gardening on a Shoestring: 100 Fun Upcycled Garden Projects by Alex Mitchell seems to be the answer to my dilemma! As I just moved in a great appartment that has unfortunately only a small balcony, I’m looking for different ways to satisfy my gardening passion and I’m sure that this book would help me! So I wish to be the happy winner 🙂
Carrie L. Mabry says
would love to win Gardening on a Shoestring, just moved into a new place and am always looking for new ideas!
Viveca Stidsen says
Absolutely love the succulent frame, that is my next gardening project!
Judi Hurla says
Would love Gardening On A Shoestring,moved from farm to large city lot and brought a lot a lot of stuff with me (to recycle) and this is a wonderful idea. And I love succulents.Love the website too.
Madelynne Pursglove says
Gardening On A Shoestring: sounds like my kind of gardening. I would like to do some cool things with succulents. Also would love to gather ideas for unique planters for the garden.
Diane Bracken says
Gardening On A Shoestring is right up my garden path! Years ago I grabbed a large plastic frame that someone was throwing out. I know it won’t work for this project since it would be difficult to screw anything into the plastic but do you have any ideas? I painted it a beautiful coral color.
Diane
Camille Bartczak says
I would love to win Gardening on a Shoestring: 100 Fun Upcycled Garden Projects by Alex Mitchell. My favorite activity in the whole wide world is gardening. I would love this book to give me some garden art projects.
Edie Stewart says
We just replaced all our old windows and I saved the old screens, sensing that a garden project would make use of them. This succulent art inspiration, the abundance of hens-and-chicks we have around, and the screens, are a good start. I’d really like a copy of Gardening On A Shoestring for more inspiration.
Carol Gay says
Would love to win a copy of Gardening of a Shoestring, here is hoping I am the lucky winner.
Carol hammond says
Sounds great!
denise says
Gardening on a Shoestring: great ideas!
Rebecca says
I think I’ll try it with an 8 x 10 frame. Love Gardening on a Shoestring!
Sunny Gamble says
Hi….
GARDENING ON A SHOESTRING sounds like my kind of book!
I like recycling and creating treasures from things you least expect….
Happy Gardening !
Lisa Clark says
“Gardening on a Shoestring” looks like a fantastic book for the think-out-of-box gardener like me! I would love to win this book!
Jewels says
Hi, I would love to win a free copy of Gardening on a Shoestring. My husband and I bought a place with ~an acre of landscaped space that needs lots of help. I need scads of cheap gardening ideas!
Burnie Ott says
I’d LOVE to win this book! I have used old metal or colorful lamps with the wiring removed for ‘art’ in the garden. I love to use common things in uncommon ways!
Cindy Jones says
I would love this! I live in a tiny apartment and need interesting ways to decorate with plants indoors!
TAMI says
“Gardening on a shoestring” looks like a really fun book. I should know, I have a moon gate made from a $20 craigslist trampoline because I wanted one and I was too cheap to pay $800 for it.
Gina Gearhart says
Really looking forward to this gardening season! “Gardening on a Shoestring” looks like it has some really great tips for some of the things I would love to do but could’t afford to even think about!
Maggie Dunbar says
I’d like to win “Gardening on a Shoestring” as well. Always looking for ideas to incorporate in the garden or for gifts. Love doing hypertufa- some great things can be achieved!
Eve Redmond says
Would LOVE to win a copy of Gardening on a Shoestring! Looking for some great ideas for my gardens and patio 🙂
Sherry Creech says
I would love it o win Gardening On A Shoestring. Fabulous ideas.
Bonnie A. says
The Succulent Wall Planter is beautiful…..only the plants cost a small fortune.
I can count 40 or more in the photo….at no less than $6.00 + per plant….I know I can’t afford to do it ….how about an affordable craft for us on a fixed income…love your web site and enjoy reading it …keep up the great work.
Melissa J. Will says
Hi Bonnie, I myself wouldn’t buy a bunch of succulents. Instead, I’d let some hens and chicks spread in my garden and, when there’s lots of them, dig them up for something like this. Alternately, you could use other plants like annuals. If you want crafts that are low-cost, there’s plenty of them here in the category ‘make’. 🙂
Kim K says
Bonnie this time of year there are some great deals at the local garden centers. I look for succulents that have several blooms. You can pluck them apart and get several pieces from your 4.00 – 6.00 plant. It’s super easy.
Linda aka Crafty Gardener says
Looks great Melissa. Made one a couple o years ago, with outdoor plants, and it has held up well over the winters.
Linda aka Crafty Gardener says
Forget to say the book Gardening on a Shoestring would be a great addition to my gardening library. I’m always looking for the least expensive way to do things or make things for my garden.
Kim K says
“Gardening on a shoestring” is my middle name. Now that it’s spring in SoCal I’m ready to work on adding to my succulents. Hanging them on the wall would be amazing. On the lookout for a very cool frame.
Helen Malandrakis says
Gardening on a Shoestring sounds like my kind of gardening!