Keep Empty Pistachio Shells To Make Pretty Faux Succulents You Don't Need To Water

Empty pistachio shells don't look like much, which is why many people unwittingly throw them away after enjoying the nuts inside. The reality, however, is that leftover pistachio shells can be repurposed in a number of creative ways. For plant lovers, you can turn the shells and a few simple materials into a lookalike faux succulent that you'll never have to water.

Inspiration for this project comes from YouTube creator DesigningWithImagination. In a short video, they create a succulent that looks shockingly similar to one you'd find at a nursery using leftover pistachio shells. To make your own, gather your materials: a sizable pile of cleaned and dried pistachio shells (this is especially important if you buy salted shells), a hot glue gun, acrylic paint, and a paintbrush. Begin by taking a few pistachio shell halves and applying glue to the concave side of each shell. Press another shell into the glue, and repeat this process until you have created a tight inner bud that will form the center of your succulent. As you continue adding shells to the outside of the cluster, you'll create the familiar rosette shape of a succulent.

Once the faux plant's the size you'd like, you can begin painting it with your desired colors. Greens are always good options, but a dusty purple can also be a lovely, realistic color you'd expect to see on a real succulent. If you find that painting the nooks and crannies of the completed pistachio succulent is too difficult, you can also paint all of the shells before gluing them together.

Once you have created a few pistachio succulents, you can use them in a number of ways to brighten up your home. One option is to create a fake terrarium filled with rocks and add a couple of succulents. While living succulents have specific water and lighting needs, these fake ones won't be harmed by too much or too little sunlight. This allows you to place them wherever you'd like. Leave your succulent arrangement in the living room, on the dining room table, on a nightstand, or even on your covered patio.

Your handmade succulent can also make a unique gift if you secure it to the top of a wooden box like this one from WSICSE ($9.99 on Amazon). Stain or paint the box in the recipient's favorite color. If you like the gift idea, look for discounted, shallow flower pots from the store and fill them with pebbles before adding your succulents. To make it a truly maintenance-free gift, use your hot glue gun to secure the pebbles and succulents in place.

Other than the occasional dusting, your arrangement should last for a long time without requiring any care. If you still have an abundance of pistachio shells, glean more inspiration from this stunning DIY fake cherry blossom decor idea. For an easier project, try using a few pistachio shells and an old jar to make a cute storage container.