14 Gorgeous Ways to Display and Decorate with Succulents

This post if stuffed with 14 ways to display and decorate with succulents, which is funny because my Mom and I are both notorious plant killers.  This has puzzled the older generations of women in our family, who had decorated their homes in the 1970s when plants and macrame plant hangers and all that jazz was trending hard.  Although house plants will always be a mainstay of interior decor, there’s definitely been an intense plant craze that has swept the decorating world once again.  Mom and I resisted for awhile – in the interest of plants everywhere – but it’s impossible not to get caught up in the frenzy because plants really make a house feel homier.  Now I’m up to nearly twenty plants, some of which I’ve propagated myself!

Aside from a large snake plant and a pretty substantial jade plant, most of my house plants are shrimpy little guys.  I really want a trendy, giant cactus but I can’t seem to find any around here.  Succulents, however, are abundant and widely available, so it’s been really easy for me to decorate with succulents.  Looking to find new ways to display and care for succulents, I started a Pinterest board full of plants (and house exteriors) to help encourage my green thumb, both indoors and outside.  In the process, I’ve stumbled across some insanely gorgeous and inventive ways to display and decorate succulents, so I wanted to round up my favorites for all of my reluctant plant-lovers out there…

P.S. my planter is vintage McCoy but this one is so similar!

Pop a Succulent in a Wall Pocket:

These Umbra Trigg hanging planters are so modern, plus they’re such a great way to position those light-loving succulents where the lighting situation is ideal.  In a small house, I really don’t have that many surfaces where the light is suitable, so I’m seriously tempted to pick up a couple wall pockets (although this set of four wall pockets has a more mid-century feel, I think):

Let a Succulent Chill in a Hanging Planter:

The glaze on these hanging planters is so rich – of course I love that teal on the right, but I’m also pretty smitten with the softly faceted shape.  As an added bonus, they’re handmade!  An un-glazed edge and hemp cord enhance the earthy, boho feel without a stitch of macrame.  I honestly think that the gorgeous planters are the major secret for the best way to decorate with succulents – there are so many options!

Corral a Group of Succulents in a Table Top Garden:

I fell in love with this image of a cactus garden and I can’t stop thinking about making a succulent or cactus garden of my own.  I’ve gone so far as to track down a great deal on a lot of baby succulents, but the perfect container (and spot to put them!) eludes me.  I do love this Mkono ceramic succulent planter because it has a drainage hole to keep those plants healthy, plus the white ceramic is classic and timeless.

Plant a Bevvy of Succulents in a Bar Cart:

I have been pining for that popular turquoise Ikea RASKOG cart for years, but have no where to put it (and no reason to buy it) so I couldn’t justify the impulse purchase.  But people are SO inventive – here it’s used as a mini succulent garden on wheels.  It’s a great way to make sure the succulents are always positioned in a window with the best light.

Stack Succulents in a Tiered Planter:

When I first spotted the Living Art Vertical Garden, I immediately started to ponder a DIY version – and I’m still considering making one.  There was one in shades of mint and turquoise that I loved, but it’s sold out.  This one is on sale for $15 (from $50), so I think it would cost way more to buy the supplies.   

Grow Succulents on an Indoor Wall:

For inside, this mini succulent wall is so perfect – and that rustic wood frame is such a great complement to a lush collection of plants.  Another genius way to make use of vertical space in a home and make room for more plants

Place Succulents on an Outdoor Wall:

This DIY outdoor succulent wall is made with handrail you can buy from the hardware store, which makes it a fairly simple DIY project.  This is a great way to keep succulents – or herbs – away from curious critters but it’s still a creative way to decorate with succulents.

Enhance Succulents with Copper Planters:

There is something about copper that makes me look twice when it’s used as a planter – I just love the lush color combo of vibrant green plants with that warm metallic hue.  I spotted an adorable collection on The Glitter Guide and just went totally nuts for them!

You can re-purpose copper finds from the thrift store (some companies in the 1970s made sets of drinkware in gorgeous hammered copper with matching trays – I’d love to score a great set like that for an arrangement), or you can just pick up a copper planter online.

Protect Succulents in Terrariums:

I honestly thought the terrarium trend would be played out by now but it’s still going strong!  I love this brass geo terrarium because it’s so elegant (although this house-shaped one is pretty darn cute too):

Add a Shocking Dose of Gravel to Succulents:

I just love when a succulent is topped with gravel – it adds such a fun punch of color (like this grouping of pink topped succulents and the pink gravel terrarium below):

I tracked down some turquoise gravel on Amazon so, of course, now I’m really into the idea! 

Invite a Succulent to the Office with a Multi-Purpose Planters:

Phone dock desk planter.  How awesome is that?  A smart, practical way to decorate with succulents, I love it.    

Treat a Succulent to a Found Object Planter:

I have been obsessed with the rotary phone planter idea and I even snagged an old phone from my grandparents.  Hubby, on the other hand, thinks it’s the weirdest idea ever and is totally unconvinced.  That’s okay!  I might have an even wackier idea for that phone, anyway.  But now I’m keeping my eyes peeled for unique objects that can find new life as a succulent planter…

Arrange Succulents on a Wreath:

I spotted a gorgeous, rainbow succulent wreath on Instagram and pinned it to my Crafts and DIY board – and it’s now one of my most re-pinned pins!  People LOVE this wreath – seeing the reaction has been so interesting.  I’d really love to make one for my front door, but I think this is a DIY that will really add up unless you have access to super inexpensive succulents (these are pretty cheap).  If you’re interested in giving it a try, this succulent wreath tutorial is SO thorough (or you might want this mesh succulent wreath form as a solid foundation).  I think this is such a fun, fresh, and modern way to decorate with succulents.

Try Succulents as a Table Runner:

Also filed under, “I probably can’t afford this, but I love it so much”: succulent table runners!  If I attended a wedding or event with a succulent table runner, I’d be stuffing my pockets like crazy.  Look how gorgeous !

Have you tried any unique ways to display or decorate with succulents?  I’m still a “place gently in planter with good drainage and hope for the best” kinda gal, but I’m thinking about branching out…

P.S. If you’re looking for a great resource for caring for succulents, check out Succulents and Sunshine – her guide to watering succulents has been so helpful!