Drought-Resistant Succulent Centerpieces

Succulent centerpieces are perfect for your wedding or party. They are easy to make & you can give them away for party favors (or keep them for yourself!).

In case you’re living under a rock, you’ve heard that there’s a drought here in California. We’re talking lack of water of crisis-level proportions. On a daily basis, Pat and I do everything we can to save water. It’s mostly little things, like letting it mellow, taking shorter showers, and turning off the water when brushing our teeth. Those little things add up though!

Because of the drought, I’ve been thinking of other ways to save water. Fresh flowers take a ton of water to grow, so even though I love them, we’ve been buying less and less. Same with adding new houseplants to our collection.

I’ve really been drawn to succulents – #1, they are amazing to look at. #2, they are hearty and take almost no water to thrive. The internet is absolutely blowing up with succulent DIYs and arrangements.

Even so, I really wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do. The place I found the best inspiration was actually my local hardware store. I checked out Orchard Supply Hardware, which has locations all over the Bay Area and now in the Russian Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. They had a huge selection of succulents and even more important, the staff was super friendly and full of ideas for how to make the perfect succulent centerpiece for my upcoming dinner party.

This arrangement was really easy to make and really only needed a few common materials. They centerpieces are absolutely stunning, and even better you can keep them after your wedding or party or give them away for party favors!

Here’s how it’s done:

DIY Drought-Resistant Succulent Centerpieces

Materials (all items found at Orchard Supply Hardware):

Planters or Terrariums
Small stones or gravel
Succulent & Cacti Potting Soil
Succulents (2-3 per container)
Decorative moss
Wire String Lights

Instructions:

1. Place a layer of stones in the bottom of your container. This will keep water from pooling and damaging the succulents.
2. Cover stones with a layer of potting soil.
3. Add succulents.
4. Cover with more potting soil and then a layer of stones. Add decorative moss as desired.

Here are a few tips on growing succulents that the specialists at Orchard Supply shared with me:

• Especially if you are using a pot that doesn’t have a drainage hole, make sure you put small stones on the bottom. Terra cotta pots are also great because they soak up excess water.
• Don’t water your succulents unless the soil feels completely dry. This can be anywhere from 1-2 weeks between waterings. The roots need dry time so they don’t rot. When they do need water, 1.5 ounces per plant is about the right amount, or about a shot glass.
• Succulents like warm temperatures and don’t do well in less the 45 degree Fahrenheit temperatures.
• Indoor succulents need about 4-6 hours of indirect sunlight per day. A south-facing window is ideal for this!
• Use a special succulent or cactus potting soil mix as succulents need a low nitrogen soil.

Photos by Melissa De Mata

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