Have you joined in on the houseplant craze? We have amassed a small collection. I especially love the versatility of succulents. They are pretty low maintenance. Read on for steps and tips to pot a succulent plant that I’ve learned over the years.
When we lived in southern California, succulents were our go-to plant. We took a class at a nursery called Theodore Payne, they specialize in drought tolerant and native plants. The class was about planting a container garden and succulents were heavily used. I went full tilt and planted a ton of succulents in containers. Our plants thrived, spilling over their pots and flowering in vibrant spurts.
Fast forward to moving to Seattle. When we started to settle into our house, I began to tackle the yard. The front yard had some redeeming qualities like the rosebushes and azaela, but it was very overgrown. The backyard was mostly just grass and two huge trees. For a taste of what we were working with check out how I created a planter bed in our backyard. Anywho, I was so surprised to learn that succulents did well here! My sister-in-law and friend gave me cuttings for our rockery and they do spectacular.
I was so happy to have some succulents to remind me of sunny SoCal. Of course the varieties are different, but they are succulents nonetheless. In addition to planting succulents outside, I started to buy some for the sunniest spots inside our home. I’ll share the potting tips that work best for me.
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Step 1: Gather Materials
Step 2: Place your filter at the bottom of the pot.
This will prevent soil loss, while still allowing for drainage. I use scraps of weed barrier fabric, but some use coffee filters.
Step 3: Fill your pot with soil and tamp down.
Eyeball the soil level. I place my plant in the pot to see how much more soil I need.
Step 4: Add water to soil.
Have you ever potted a plant and when you wen to finally water it, it sank? Add some water then tamp down as you fill. This helps compress the soil and prevent that sinking.
Step 5: Place plant in new pot.
Carefully remove succulent from it’s pot and work into the new pot.
Step 6: Add a bit more water and soil.
Tamp down, add soil, and alternate these steps until you are about half a pinky tip from the top of the pot.
Step 7: Add your mulch
Layer mulch around the plant. This layer will help to retain moisture, and if your plant is outdoors, this prevents weeds from growing.
Step 8: Move your plant to it’s new space.
Read plant instructions to determine it’s light needs. When you first buy a succulent or any plant, it is a good idea to let it sit in it’s intended spot for about a week or two. This will help it to adjust to new conditions before introducing the shock of planting it.
Materials for Steps And Tips To Pot A Succulent Plant
A succulent of course! Most of your local nurseries, including big box stores, will have plants that do best for your zone. I like to visit the smaller nurseries in my area because the staff are so knowledgeable.
A new pot- I find terra cotta or ceramic to be the best, but any pot with drainage will do.
Filter material- I use scraps of leftover landscape weed barrier fabric, but even a coffee filter will do.
Soil– a mix made for cacti and succulents is best, but some people do a mix of their own.
Mulch– I usually use small pebbles. Wood mulch works well too, especially for outdoor planters.
Something to lay down to protect your surface– when potting indoors or on my porch, I lay down a large trash bag or cardboard for easy clean up.
Rags for clean up– I always keep a damp rag on hand.
Water– have a watering can on hand, or if you pot at your sink, you will be set.
Thanks for reading! Let me know in the comments if you love houseplants! If you need to reference this post, you can always pin for later!
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