How to make a simple DIY succulent planter.
I’ve been on a bit of a plant kick lately. It was really difficult keeping plants alive in our Illinois house so I’ve been having fun adding them around our little cottage.
I rescued a big bird of paradise that’s in our sunroom and have had a lot of luck with a fiddle leaf fig, affectionately known as Leo, so it was time to (ahem) branch out. I’ve been wanting to try out some succulents but I didn’t know how, or where, I wanted to display them. When I found this galvanized bucket at Michael’s though, I knew it would be a perfect planter for a little grouping that I could put on my summer dining room table.
Supplies for DIY succulent planter
- galvanized bucket
- propane torch
- potting soil
- succulents
- pot liner
- sheet moss
I liked the idea of the galvanized but didn’t like the shiny surface. I wanted something that looked aged, and not like it came straight from the craft store. So, to get the look I wanted, a quick succulent planter DIY was in order.
I searched online for different ways to age galvanized metal and using a propane torch seemed like it would be quick and easy, without being messy. There were some good ideas out there, like using toilet bowl cleaner, but I chose to try heat.
You all should know by now that I don’t do projects like this unless they’re easy. This one did involve heat, but I assure you that it was super easy to do.
We were careful to take extra precautions when we did this project. We worked outside, used a long-handled wrench so we didn’t have to touch the hot metal, and we had a big bucket of cold water ready to cool down the metal.
I assembled all of our supplies, lit the torch and began heating the metal. It took me a few minutes to get the hang of it, to get the look I wanted, but then it went very quickly. You can actually see the metal change almost immediately when the heat hits it. I did learn that you have to move the flame around. Once you see the color of the metal start to change, it’s time to move to the next spot.
It took me just under 15 minutes to finish. A little cool down, and it was ready for the next step.
It’s not rusty, like I originally wanted, but it no longer looks like it just came from the craft store. I could have gone a step further and tried to rust it but this was supposed to be quick and easy and I was ready to move on to planting.
I was just going to plant in the bucket but it leaked during a water test so I decided to use a pot liner. A bit of potting soil went into the liner and then the succulents that I found at IKEA for under $2 a piece. A $1 bag of sheet moss that I got from The Dollar Store finished it off.
A simple DIY succulent planter in under 30 minutes (plus a bit of cool down time). Definitely quick and easy.
I was going to go with all the same variety of succulent but I chose 4 different textures and colors. Don’t tell the other ones but the brown-tipped fuzzy one is my fave.
I’ve enjoyed moving it around to different spots but my favorite place is the dining table. I like the simplicity and the way it looks with the dark wood.
Doing this project has given me a new appreciation for succulents. How can you not love them, right?
What about you? What plants are your favorites right now?
Margaret Robinson
HI — This succulent arrangement is beautiful on your dining room table. A question – did you have to put something on the bottom of the galvanized bucket to prevent scratches on the wood of the table? If so, what did you use? Thanks!
Kristi
Thanks so much Margaret! I didn’t put anything on the bottom of the bucket to prevent scratches (it would be difficult to do with the lip around the bottom). I pick it up when I move it so it doesn’t scratch my table. You could put it on a tray or runner if you were really worried about scratches. Hope that helps. 🙂
Debbie H
I like succulents too. This is a great idea and looks great on your dining table. I had to laugh when I read the “bucket” didn’t hold water. Happy to hear you are feeling better.
On a side note. I pinned your reclaimed shelves in your kitchen awhile back and lately I get at least one other person repining them. This Saturday there were three re-pins! Keep the ideas coming.
Kristi
Thanks Debbie! I think heating up the metal damaged the seams so it was no longer water-tight. I’m glad that I tested it or I would have had a huge mess. 😉
Thanks for pinning my shelves. I love to hear that people are repinning it. Just what I need right now.
Hope you have a great week!
Pat M.
Great idea. I have a smaller version of your galvanized container and it’s been sitting empty in my garage. I now know what I’m going to do with it. Thanks.
Kristi
Yay, so glad that my idea inspired you. I’d love to hear what you do with yours.
Thanks so much for stopping in, Pat! 🙂
Marlene Stephenson
I love this idea, looks so cute and of course succulents are the best, thanks.
Kristi
Thanks so much Marlene, I really appreciate it!
Hope you have a great week!
MaryJean
I have a little cactus under a cloche that has been doing very well until recently my grandson accidentally broke the cloche. I hope it doesn’t jinx the plant now. I don’t have too many plants. I have a philodendron in my kitchen that was given to me when I started working at the University at Buffalo and a Peace plant that was given to me when I was Chairperson of a Home Bureau many years ago. They are doing well and I will just keep it at that for now. I do much better with outdoor plants. Maybe it’s because if I forget to water them it eventually rains. LOL
I like the green one with the little brown bumps too! 😉
Kristi
I try to remember to water mine. 😉 I have a potted herb right next to the sink and the minute it gets too dry it shrivels up. That’s usually my queue to give the others a drink.
Hope your cactus makes it. They’re usually pretty hardy.
Kim
A blow torch and puns? This is my favorite kind of post. You are one serious DIY girl. Fabulous!
Kristi
A blow torch and puns…the perfect match in my book! 😉 Thanks my friend!
Carol
What a fun idea, Kristi! I’ve recently discovered a new spot inside our home that seems to work very well for plants. I do have a small pot of succulents inside and a large basket filled with “succulents gone wild” outside. My favorite inside plants right now are two orchids that are doing amazingly well…keeping my fingers crossed!
Kristi
It’s great when you find that perfect spot for plants. I’m still moving around plants in our cottage and looking for ours. My fiddle leaf fig seems to be doing the best. I had an orchid and didn’t have much luck with it. Hopefully yours will continue to do well.
Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting. Hope you have a great week!