The other day while shopping in one of my favorite stores, I spotted a container garden with succulents and shells. It was gorgeous and would be perfect on my kitchen island. The price was anything, but gorgeous! It was a staggering $250! Immediately, I took on the challenge of creating a similar arrangement at a fraction of the price. It started with the tool caddy I found at a local flea market. After some sanding, staining and waxing I was ready to start planting.
I gathered my supplies which consisted of succulents, shells and soil especially made for succulents. I brought my container to the garden center and arranged the plants inside the container to ensure I bought the correct amount of plants. Then, I headed to my local souvenir shop with my tool caddy in tow to see what shells would look best and how I wanted them arranged. Sounds crazy carrying the container and plants from store to store, but trust me it is better then guessing and making a mistake.
PS: Souvenir shops have the best prices on shells! Don’t buy these items in gift shops as you will spend double the cost!
The next step is to line the container.
I use a simple yard waste bag to make the container water resistant. There is no drainage hole, so you will need to be careful you do not over water.
Next, fill the container with soil and add your plants.
When you are adding the plants, carefully loosen the root ball to encourage growth. Be careful as succulents break off easily. Now, you are ready to add the shells.
That’s it! Simply enjoy your gorgeous creation! Remember that succulents like bright sunlight and can be moved outside when the nighttime temperatures are above freezing. Succulents like to be dry, so don’t over water. They will take in the humidity from the air, so they only need to be watered every 2-3 weeks (unless you live in an extremely dry climate). If the leaves start to loose their plump, cushiony texture and instead feel flat, it is time to water.
Aren’t the colors stunning with the shells?
It only took a few minutes, but looks stunning on my kitchen counter. In fact, I’d say it looks like $250 despite costing less than $100!