The Complete Guide On How To Plant Succulents In Pots

Planting succulents in pots is a skill that every succulent grower needs. If you happen to be experienced, you might not need this guide for instructions. However, this tutorial might be necessary for beginners. Make sure that you don’t skip a line!

Things To Consider Before You Plant Succulents In Pots

Before we get to the complete tutorials, here are a few things you need to prepare:

#1. Size Of The Plants

Knowing which succulent you will plant is essential because they are all different in size. It could be as big as an Agave Parryi or a cute tiny Aeonium Kiwi. The size of the plant will affect the size of the pot. Also, knowing which arrangement you want for the plant is better. For example, you will place them near the doorsteps or windowsill. Plant selections will be much easier if you know the purpose of making them.

#2. Size Of The Pot

You shouldn’t plant succulents in a pot that is too big or small. If the pot is too big, raising your succulent will take more resources than needed. If the pot is too small, your succulent’s root might reach the bottom and the sides of the pot too early, so you might need to re-pot the succulent. The recommended size for the succulent is about 1-2 inches wider than the size of the estimated diameter of the plant.

The depth of the pot also matters. Succulents mostly have short, laterally growing root systems, so shallow planters are alright. The deeper the pot is, the more moisture it keeps. If you are planting in an arid condition, you can choose a higher pot without drainage holes to keep more water for the plant.

#3. The Pot Material

There are several materials used to make pots: terracotta, plastic, glass, cement, and ceramic, … Those mentioned are popular and easily bought in local stores. If you are planting in a wet condition, planting your succulents in terracotta pots is recommended. Other materials like glass, cement, or ceramic are the same except for different decor purposes. Lastly, plastic containers/ pots are primarily suitable for seedlings or propagating.

There is a detailed guide on how to choose the pot for succulents. See here!

#4. Drainage Holes

Drainage holes are vital for succulent pots. If you accidentally overwater the succulents, drainage holes will take care of it for you. Therefore, it reduces the chance of getting root rot, which is hard to revive. Even if you buy terracotta pots, you will still need drainage holes in most cases, except for the arid condition.

#5. Type Of Soil

The simplest formula to get started is 50% high-quality succulent potting soil and 50% perlite or pumice. For more about making your perfect potting soil for succulents, see here!

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How To Plant Succulents In Pots – A Step-by-Step Guide

Below is the step-by-step guide on how to plant succulents in pots:

1. What you’ll need

Here is the list of what you need to plant any succulent in any pot:

• A hand trowel
• A succulent plant
• A pot
• The soil mix

2. Instructions

Step 1: Use a hand trowel to create the first layer of soil mix at the bottom of the pot.

Step 2: Place the succulent/ transplant the potted succulent to the desired pot.

Step 3: Fill the pot with soil mix with a hand trowel. Spread the mixture evenly to the sides of the pot.

Step 4: Top-dressing the soil with pebbles or rocks to keep the perlite stable when watering.

FAQs

1. Can you plant succulents in pots without holes?

Yes, you can, but you must carefully water those succulents. It would be better if the pots are terracotta pots because excessive water can go through them. If you have a glass or metal pot, it will cause serious problems when you overwater the plant. So, you should buy pots with drainage holes.

2. Can you plant succulents in just rocks?

No. Succulents are among the rarest plants to survive in just rocks but not for long. They may live for a few weeks/ months until the water in the leaves and stems runs out. It’s best to plant succulents with soils.

3. How to plant succulents in pots without drainage holes?

It’s easy. You do the same, but buy a pot without drainage holes this time.

We have compacted 27+ commonly-asked questions about succulent in 1 single article. You can visit the page here and feel free to contribute any question that you have 🙂 Happy planting!

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