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My Succulent Planting Secret

April 19, 2016  Garden

See how to plant the easiest succulents to grow! 

Easiest Succulents to Grow - great tips on how to plant it and forget it! kellyelko.com

Unless you’re living under a moss covered rock, you’ve heard of succulents and suddenly they seem to be all the rage.

I guess I’m ahead of my time because I’ve always thought succulents didn’t suck. I’ve had an old mop bucket planter filled with hen and chick succulents for over 10 years.

My secret? I completely neglect it (much like I do my chipped nails and ragged cuticles).

Succulents are so easy to grow. They don’t need a lot of water and they can withstand any season. I leave my succulents outside whether it’s in scorching summer heat or covered in two feet of snow.

Love this clam shell filled with succulents and she has the best idea for the easiest way to plant succulents! kellyelko.com

So I turned to my old friend when it was time to come up with a centerpiece for my outdoor coffee table.

Unfortunately succulents aren’t cheap but I have a solution.

I’m letting you in on a little secret to create amazing succulent filled planters without breaking the bank … the sedum ground cover mat.

Brilliant idea - see how to grow succulents quick and easy! kellyelko.com

It’s a tile of mixed sedum succulents ready to be planted in the ground to create an amazing ground cover.

I had different plans for mine – it’s perfect in planters.

Easiest Succulents to Grow

post contains affiliate links

1) Buy a tile of sedum ground cover – you can buy sedum here

2) Find a unique container (I love this ceramic clam shell I found at HomeGoods or an old mop bucket)

3) Fill container with a shallow layer of pebbles (to help keep roots from sitting in standing water since my container has no drainage hole) and organic cactus soil

Note: since succulents don’t like standing water and prefer dryer conditions, try not to use any water retaining soil like Miracle Gro

Love this mop bucket planter filled with succulents - love her tips on a quick and easy way to grow them kellyelko.com

4) Measure your container and use scissors to cut the sedum to size.

Note: if you have an odd size container like mine, just cut a few different pieces

Love this idea for growing succulents! kellyelko.com

5) Add sedum to your container – cut smaller pieces from the tile to fill in gaps

6) Add more soil to fill in empty spaces

Sedum is so easy to grow - especially with this brilliant tip! kellyelko.com

Now the most important step – ignore it and watch it thrive!

I also love this giant clam shell overflowing with pink flowers from Old Silver Shed.

Giant clam shell planter - so beautiful overflowing with pink hydrangeas and tulips kellyelko.com

Don’t miss my other tips for growing peonies and hydrangeas …

Love peonies – check out my peony planting tips.

How to Plant Peonies so they Bloom kellyelko.com

When to prune hydrangeas

When to Prune Hydrangeas kellyelko.com

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Comments

  1. Megan

    April 19, 2016 at 7:18 am

    I love sedums. I buy a bunch from our local nursery and they’ve taken off to the point I need to get rid of them. I neglect them too. Most of my plants are neglected but only once has is it been a bad thing. ?

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      April 19, 2016 at 9:57 am

      You’ll have to leave some on your neighbors doorsteps Megan!

      Reply
  2. Sherry

    April 19, 2016 at 8:39 am

    I use succulents in fairy gardens

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      April 19, 2016 at 9:57 am

      I need to make a fairy garden Sherry!

      Reply
  3. Florence

    April 19, 2016 at 9:00 am

    You’re right….they don’t take any care, but thrive and thrive. I ignore mine too. They are easy to get started.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      April 19, 2016 at 9:57 am

      So easy Florence!

      Reply
  4. Marlene Stephenson

    April 19, 2016 at 11:56 am

    Thanks Kelly I love succulents and will be going to Lowes. Succulents are so easy and varied in colors, what’s not to like?

    Reply
  5. Marlene Stephenson

    April 19, 2016 at 11:56 am

    Thanks Kelly I love succulents and will be going to Lowes. Succulents are so easy and varied in colors, what’s not to like?

    Reply
  6. Clearissa

    April 19, 2016 at 7:07 pm

    Love the ideas because succulents are fairly expensive. Thank you for the tips.

    Reply
  7. [email protected]s

    April 20, 2016 at 5:23 pm

    I forgot about some Kolanchoes that were on the back porch in a corner…and just noticed that they are blooming…yes…they love to be neglected…love the beautiful succulents in the amazing clamshell…have to get to Lowes!!

    Reply
  8. Laura Strack

    April 21, 2016 at 10:47 am

    Your clamshell is amazing!! I have a Kolancho that my Mother gave me before she passed away, 22 years ago. I love my sedums and succulents!

    Reply
  9. Linda

    April 21, 2016 at 8:38 pm

    You have a lovely blog.

    Reply
  10. Rebecca Shelton

    June 26, 2016 at 7:19 am

    I have look at a lot of websites for answers on watering and drainage, your’s was the only one that I found that had my answers.Thank You Very Much and this is my first time planting them…Thank You

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      June 30, 2016 at 7:40 am

      Glad you got some good tips Rebecca – enjoy your succulents!

      Reply
  11. Victoria

    April 17, 2017 at 11:33 pm

    Thanks for the tips..

    Reply
  12. S. Gricks

    June 1, 2017 at 12:50 pm

    I live in Arizona. Summer temps three digits. I love succulents and have tried several inside and outside. I am not able to keep them alive. Help. What am I doing wrong?

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      June 2, 2017 at 8:23 am

      I don’t do anything to my succulents – I just ignore them. Sorry I can’t be more help

      Reply
  13. DJ

    February 20, 2019 at 8:59 pm

    My first sighting of the beautiful peonies was 15 years ago. Since then I had lived in climates that were not so kind to this flower.
    But I am trying to plan a move back to cooler weather with 4 seasons. I will plant a field of
    Them and live happily ever after!!

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      February 25, 2019 at 2:59 pm

      A field of peonies sounds heavenly!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. When to Prune Hydrangeas says:
    April 19, 2016 at 10:18 am

    […] #1 Succulent Planting Tip […]

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  2. How to Plant Moon Cactus says:
    May 4, 2016 at 12:38 pm

    […] decided to give my succulent clam shell some […]

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  3. Vintage Troll Planter - Kelly Elko says:
    June 2, 2020 at 5:55 am

    […] planters and they make the perfect hair. If you’ve never grown succulents before, read these tips on the easiest succulents to grow. Water succulents sparingly and mist with water because they love humidity (I mist all of my […]

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  4. What the Fig? Fiddle Leaf Fig Care Tips - Kelly Elko says:
    March 15, 2021 at 12:59 pm

    […] there you go. It’s not as simple as Keeping a Succulent Alive but it’s worth the effort. I’ll report back after winter to let you know if Fiona […]

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KELLY

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Join me as I decorate my 100 year old home, scour thrift stores, create pretty things, putter in my peony and hydrangea filled garden, and mix up a mean cocktail all with a touch of sarcasm and a side of bacon - Cheers!



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Love where you live by mixing high and low, new and old to create a home that shows off your personality. My mantra ... simple projects equals more time for cocktails!
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187 shares