15 Cute DIYs That Level Up Growing Succulents As Decor

Succulents seem to mesmerize plant lovers of all gardening levels with their thick, fleshy leaves and wide variety of looks, from the upright, soothing, gel-filled leaves of the aloe (Aloe vera) plant to the magical trailing look of string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus). Colorful succulents that thrive indoors draw attention with pink flowers or red-tinged leaves. While these water-storing plants are gorgeous on their own, getting creative with how you grow them levels up your plant collection to transform your succulents into living decor. There are plenty of beautiful succulent garden design ideas to add curb appeal to your yard, but there are just as many gorgeous options that you can use indoors as decor.  

A simple way to upgrade your succulents is by choosing creative containers, like teacups, dough bowls, or driftwood. Found objects add even more creativity to the display and show off your personality: Use a beat-up toy dump truck that you played with as a child, a typewriter to accent your office, an old book to dress up a bookshelf, or a wood toolbox to express your love of DIY projects. Hanging succulent displays draw the eye upward and offer an option that doesn't take up floor or table space; wreaths, birdcages, and hanging spheres are a few options. Or, turn the succulents into artwork with a framed display. Use these ideas as-is or build off of them to create your own custom succulent home decor.

Display succulents vertically in wall art. This project uses a frame covered by a piece of plywood with the desired shape cut out of it — the inspiration is a tree shape, but you can get creative with the design — use succulents to fill a turtle shell cutout or multiple flower cutouts. Sphagnum moss and chicken wire inside the frame create the medium for planting. You can add additional wood cutout pieces or extra framing to customize it. When you need to water the succulents, use a spray bottle to mist them without getting water everywhere.

Toast to your creativity when you plant your succulents in assorted teacups. Thrift stores are ideal for finding pieces for planting succulents (or other clever ways to repurpose old teacups). Use a cactus mix potting soil and water the succulents minimally to avoid root rot if you don't drill a hole in the teacup for drainage. These teacup succulents are perfect in a kitchen or dining room, or add them to your coffee station for a perfectly themed accent. They would also make adorable gifts for gardeners.

This mini succulent display, created in bottle corks made from natural cork, attaches to any magnetic surface. Use a craft knife to shape the cork (you'll want one flattish side to glue on the magnet) and to dig a small hole in the top of the cork. Add a small amount of cactus mix, or DIY your own succulent soil and add it to the cork. Now, you just need to put tiny succulents into the soil — tweezers make the planting easier. Paint, stamps, ribbons, and other embellishments can dress up the cork if desired.

A vintage dough bowl creates a large succulent planter with character. Lining the wood bowl with plastic before filling it with a cactus mix protects it from damage. There are certain succulent plants you shouldn't grow together, so choose compatible species with similar growing requirements. Then, add a variety of succulents to incorporate different textures, colors, heights, and leaf shapes. Upright options add height to the bowl, and trailing succulents on the edges soften the wood look. You can also add rocks, pebbles, or other accents in the planter to finish the look. 

This decor displays succulents vertically inside of a frame. Succulents are plants that will work in a vertical garden due to shallow roots and low water needs. Build a frame or use one you already have — you just need to build a wooden box to fit behind the frame to hold cactus potting soil. Hardware cloth or chicken wire helps hold the soil in place and keeps the succulents steady. This DIY is versatile because you can adjust the dimensions to fit your space and finish the frame in a style that fits your home.

Almost any rounded glass container works as a terrarium in which you display your succulents — you can even make tiny terrariums out of antique jars. Terrariums usually have layers of rocks, activated charcoal, aquarium rocks, and cactus potting mix. You can decide what types of succulents and how many you want inside the terrarium. If the opening is small, you may need tweezers or a similar tool to lower the plants inside. Leave it with just the plants, or tuck other decorations, like rocks, a layer of sand, crystals, or figurines, inside the bowl.

A sphagnum moss-filled wreath frame in any shape creates the foundation for this succulent display option. You'll use succulent cuttings that have been cut a day or two prior and soak the frame in water. To make the wreath, you'll just make a hole, push the succulent cutting in, and use a floral or greening pin to hold it in place. It's also a good idea to wait several weeks after you make your succulent wreath with it flat on a table in a sunny location, so the succulents root into the moss.

Succulents make beautiful holiday decor when you attach them to a cone-shaped form. A simple option is rolling chicken wire into a cone shape and filling it with moistened moss before putting it in a pot. Then, tuck succulents into the moss, working from the bottom to the top. Space out similar types of plants for balance. Moss, pine cones, and other natural accents work well for filling in gaps between the succulents. You can keep the tree up year-round, as the plants will root into the moss and continue growing.

There are so many fairy garden ideas that are downright magical, but not everyone has outdoor space for one. Succulents make the perfect environment for creating magical little moments in your home with this fairy garden idea. You can find fairy garden elements at craft and dollar stores. Then, use various types of succulents to create a magical forest for your fairies. Moss and rocks can serve as ground cover, and you can make mini paths or add fairy lights to create an ethereal glow for your contained fairy garden.

Turn an old book into a planter by sealing the edges of the pages to hold them together and cutting a rectangle out of the pages. You'll want to apply the same sealer on the cut edges and line the hole with plastic to protect the pages. Then, you can add potting mix and succulents to fill the opening. Since the opposite page will show, consider adding an image, quote, or other designs to customize the finished look. This planter fits well on a coffee table or bookshelf, or display it in your office.

A clean, dry piece of driftwood creates a natural-looking planting vessel for your succulents. You can plant the succulents in little gaps and cracks on the log or drill holes if necessary. A little sphagnum moss in the holes, followed by cactus potting mix, creates the perfect spot for your little succulent plants. Low-temperature hot glue on some of the leaves helps hold the plants in place without hurting them. You can also glue more moss along the wood to fill in gaps or add to the natural aesthetic.

Scour your attic or local thrift stores for a decorative metal birdcage to serve as your succulent display case. The thick leaves of the plants can stick through the bars on the cage and grow inside of it for a robust display. A coconut liner in the bottom holds the cactus potting mix inside the birdcage to create the planting medium. If you want full plants to stick outside of the bars, put the root end through the bars, leaving the plant outside. The cage can sit on a countertop or hang from the ceiling.

Old toys your kids have outgrown (or even vintage playthings you held onto from your childhood) often work as succulent plants. A simple idea is to fill the back of a toy dump truck with potting mix and plant succulents in it. Cutting a hole in the back of a medium- to large-sized plastic animal toy creates enough space to add some soil and plant succulents. These displays make a cute addition to a playroom or your child's bedroom, and kids might enjoy helping turn the toys they've outgrown into planters.

Look around your home, and you likely already have random objects with openings that could become succulent planters. Examples include old-fashioned toolboxes, bubble gum machines, colanders, vintage suitcases, or typewriters. You may need to cut a hole or clear out components to make room for the soil. Adding a plastic liner before pouring in the cactus mix protects the item from damage. Then, fill in with succulents that fit the vibe of the item. Succulents with colorful leaves mimic bubble gum in a machine, for example. 

For an easy succulent sphere, choose a sphere already filled with moss, or create a sphere by filling a coir liner with cactus mix and wrapping the liner around in a ball shape. Tie it with twine to hold the shape. Succulent cuttings go into the sphere — you can cover it completely or leave gaps to give the plants room to grow and fill in the space. Floral pins also help keep the succulents in place. Hang the ball with twine or a chain in a spot where the plants will get adequate sunlight.