If you’ve planted flowers in the past, you probably have a few broken flower pots lying around. I know I do. I store my unused pots in the shed. Bryan has a habit of tossing his tools into the shed when he’s finished working, leaving me with chipped and cracked pots, among other things. Here’s an actual quote I never thought I’d say, “You threw something on top of Rudolph. He doesn’t have antlers anymore! ”
I learned my lesson on moving breakables out of reach but still wanted to do something with the old pots. I didn’t want to toss them in the trash but was unsure of what to do with them. After pondering the question for a while, I decided to reuse (and upcycle!) the pots to make an easy succulent container garden.
How to Make an Easy Broken Pot Succulent Garden
The great thing about succulents are how little care they require. They’re low maintenance and one of the easiest plants for beginning gardeners to grow. Here’s some of my favorites that make excellent additions to broken pot gardens.
- Hen and Chicks (Sempervivum)
- Echeveria (especially minina variety, which stays around 3 inches in height)
- Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)
- Sempervivum “Little Bobo”
Container Garden Succulent Choices:
Other good choices for Broken pot container gardens are low-growing herbs and sedum. Sedum is another plant that’s extremely easy for almost anyone to grow. It is often included in the succulent category and will be probably be found with the succulents when you’re looking for it in garden centers. Here are some of the choices I use in my container garden.
- Sedum reflexum ‘Blue Spruce’ or ‘Angelina’
- Sedum ‘Pool Party’
- Sedum spurium ‘John Creech’
- Woolly Thyme
What You Need To Make Your Succulent Container
- medium-sized flower pot or bowl (with broken pieces)
- 4 to 6 succulents
- additional planting soil designed for succulents
I started with a medium-sized bowl, which in fairness to Bryan, broke while sitting outside in my flower garden during a storm. I wanted my bowl to have an overflowing look so I purchased four succulents for fillers.
Pro-Tip-Sometimes it is cheaper to purchase succulents in larger quantities. Big Box Garden Centers often sell entire trays of succulents for around $12. Also, check out the clearance section of your local big-box garden centers. Ours often discounts succulents to $1 apiece.
If you are wondering where to buy succulents, they can be found at nurseries, most big chain stores, and home improvement and hardware stores.
Pro-Tip-Succulents are prolific spreaders so if you have a friend with succulents, see if they have any to give away.
Succulent Container Garden Instructions:
- When designing the succulent container gardens the easiest way is to start at the bottom of the pot and work your way up.
- Remove the succulent from its pot, spread out the roots, and add it to the bottom of the pot. Be sure all the roots are covered with soil.
- Cover the succulent with a piece of broken pottery. Continue to work upward in the pot, arranging the succulents in a pattern and design you like. I wanted my succulent planters to lie on their sides. It helped to create the design and determine their final resting position before adding the succulents.
Succulent Care Tips:
- Don’t over water the plants or the roots will rot. Only water the succulents when the soil is completely dry.
- Only water the soil-making sure not to get water on the succulents.
- Be sure to give them plenty of light. Succulents are sun-loving and need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.
- Wipe any excess dirt off the succulent plants. Dirt can inhibit their group.
- Only use soil specially designed for succulents.
I was so pleased with my broken pot garden I dug two more pots out of the shed and filled them with succulents too. I think I’ve started a mini succulent trend in my yard. I made an entire border of succulents in my garden. What are your favorite tips for using those broken pots?
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I’m in love with this upcycle project and it would look great in my garden! This year I’m a sucker for succulents!
Very fascinating, the Mister and I have been talking about planting something with the kids. This might be a fun one tot ry.
Very neat idea. I love to plant flowers, but I’ve never attempted a project like this. Thanks for sharing!
This is something I think my husband would really appreciate! He’s the one with the green-thumb in the household and is always looking for new and creative ways to express it! 🙂
I love the simple succulent! They are so easy to take care of and look really different. Somehow they add texture to a garden or patio!
I like what you were able to make do with the broken pot. It looks much better with the succulents.
Love this idea, great way to repurpose and create something pretty and useful for the garden!
That is awesome! I love how you repurposed this to make something awesome.
I love this idea. It looks fantastic. I will have to make one for my garden.
I love succulents. So pretty and easy to care for. You are very creative with the broken pot idea. I would normally just throw it out but if this ever happens, I will remember your project.
This is a clever idea.
And you make it sound like an easy task to do.
I like this. I have some broken pots I can still use again.
My granny has a lot of broken pots because of being careless. I never thought that broken pots still be useful again.
These are so pretty and simple. I am not much of a gardener so these are perfect!
I love making these. My grandma first introduced me to them, they are a great addition to the garden.
what a great idea to reuse an old and broken item. Love the look and use you gave it!
That is a great idea for using broken pots! Succulents are a great addition to any yard, and I think your little garden is looking great!
What a clever idea, I never thought to use a broken pot to make a garden with … I certainly will have to try this idea out!
This is s a really cool idea! It looks really stylish and it’s a great way to prevent waste!
This is a great idea! I never use anything that is broken and I’m so quick to throw this kind of thing out. Very clever!
I love finding new ways to use old or broken things! So much better than throwing it away! Love your idea! Turned out good!
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I love this idea. I’m going to keep my eyes open for a broken pot to use.
This is such a great idea. I have a couple of broken pots that I can do this with. Thanks for sharing.
That really is a great idea. Usually when the pots break I just dump them, what an innovative way to recycle.
That is so smart! I have several broken pots that I just never got around to pitching. Now I think I’ll use them.
What a great way to upcycle those broken pots. I love your succulent container garden and it’s such a great way to reuse broken pots. I think I’ll head out to my shed and see what I can find.
What a clever idea Pam! I love succulent gardens and would never think to repurpose a broken pot to make one!