Stunning Succulents ~ GreenThumb Thursday

My green thumb does NOT come naturally, I have to admit.  Although I love love love to be outside gardening, planting, growing, even mowing my lawn, keeping my plants growing is a whole other talent I have yet to master.  Over watering, under watering, too much sun, too much shade, you name it.  But I try my hardest and never give up.  I can't...it's one of our family rules!

When I discovered succulents with their very forgiving nature, I thought I'd give growing something indoor's one last try.  I Pin'd a living wreath created from succulent cuttings and couldn't get it off of my mind.  Problem was I didn't have any succulents of my own to cut from.

Photo courtesy of A Garden of Possibilities

What I did find was a 12" x 18" 'succulent tile' selling at one of those big-box warehouse stores.  It was a mixture of smaller sized succulents already rooted into a dirt-style tile backed with mesh, perfect to just lay down in your yard and have a nice patch of succulents.  Oh but I had something different in mind...

Photo courtesy of Prudent Baby

I followed this great tutorial found on Prudent Baby on how she made her Living Succulent Wreath.  I found mine was actually easier (a few less steps) because of the succulent tile I was using.  It didn't look exactly like the one pictured above because of the smaller sized plants.  But hey it's still a Living Wreath, and it's mine!  I even jazzed it up with some bling  =)  

So the How To is really simple, I promise!  A few key materials are needed:

• Wire wreath frame ~ these sell for around $5 for a 12" frame.
• Sphagnum moss ~ soak it in water for about 10 mintues before using it.  Or you can score some free moss off the rocks of your creek bed like I did!
• Fishing line ~ steal some from the SuperMan in your life, or pick up some floral wire.
• Succulents ~ cuttings or purchased, just get some quick!
• Floral pins or bobby pins (if you are using cuttings)

The first step is to stuff the moss into the frame.  It will show from the back but don't worry about it.  You can't see it anyway.

Photo courtesy of Prudent Baby

Flip it over and get ready to plant your frame.  If you've picked up a succulent tile like I did, the next step is to cut your tile in strips (2-3 inches wide) and place the succulents inside the frame.  The tile made filling the wreath very fast.  A few strips cut, placed inside, and I was about done.  Next take your extra moss and fill around either side of your plants so the frame does not show.  Don't worry if the moss is sticking out kinda crazy ~ I'll show you how to tame it in a minute.

Now f you have cuttings, stuff the front side of the frame completely with moss first.  

Photo courtesy of Prudent Baby

Ok, so here is the part where the fishing line comes in.  That's what you use to wrap around the entire frame to hold it together.  Simply take your line, tie it to the wire and start wrapping.  Keep the line close together, maybe and inch or two apart.  

Photo courtesy of Prudent Baby

If you used a succulent tile like I did, you are pretty much done.  Don't worry if the line wraps over your pretty plants, it won't hurt them.  Plus the fishing line completely disappears and blends into the plants and moss.  If you are using cuttings you have an extra step or two.  

Photo courtesy of Prudent Baby

Take the end of a pen, or pencil and poke holes around your wreath where you want to place your cuttings.  Use floral pins, or bobby pins, to keep them firmly attached until they can take root.  Continue until your wreath is filled the way you like it (but remember succulents spread so leave a bit of room for them).  

I sparkled mine up but using some wire garland with little crystals and attached them around my wreath using bobby pins.

Succulents are beautiful and amazing.  Break a piece off, throw it on the ground and it roots.  Some people even stay away from succulents because they can "take over" a flower bed.  Me, I love them because they love you back even if you neglect them.  Over watering is their only issue.  Matter of fact it's best to let the soil completely dry for several days before you water them again.  The Living Wreath that you just created is pretty hard to over water because it drains so well.  If planting succulents in a pot, be sure to use soil made especially for them or a cactus potting mix.  A little sun is good for them too, just not complete shade.  So if you have them inside just put them in a sunny spot every once in a while ~ remember, they love to be neglected...just not forgotten! 

I had quite a bit left of my tile and had such a fun time that I ransacked my house and craft shed to find any container I could use as a planter.

A large glass candle holder I filled with rocks, moss, soil & white sand.

This is a vintage sugar bowl (matching creamer in the back ground)

Mason jars are an awesome container for just about anything!

This is a base to a pillar candle.  I broke the glass but held on to the base because it was just to pretty to toss!  Plus I knew I'd find something to do with it  =)

Here are a trio of Manzanita branches that I had SuperHubbie drill a hole in that I filled with tiny pebbles, then soil and topped off with moss.

Succulents.  Beautiful, hardy, care-free and versatile.  What's not to love.  Oh yeah, and you don't have to have the greenest of thumbs to grow them!

Leave me a comment and tell me your succulent story!  Green Thumb UP or DOWN?