DIY Live Succulent Ball

You know those projects you really want to do for yourself, but things like family, church, work and cleaning (insert eye roll) get in the way? Yeah, me, too. I could do so much if I just had all the money in the world and no responsibilities.

Luckily, for me, I realize that for all I could accomplish, my life would be empty because I would have removed the most important parts of mine.

Okay, sappy and true lesson aside. One reason I love going on Good Things Utah is that I can do the projects I’m interested in doing.

I started buying succulents for this project in April. My neighbors can attest, they’ve been on my front porch that entire time!

Lowes has four packs for about $4.50. When most succulents are about $4 each, I though that was a bargain. You can also propagate succulents. A project I would like to try. I ended up with ten 4-packs and 5 mid-sized rosette shaped succulents. I ended up with some spaces, so watch your spacing. You can totally do the project with this number.

* Keep in mind, most succulents are not perennial in our climate. If that is the direction you want to go in, choose wisely

**Another hint about succulents – while they are drought tolerant, they can be killed by being over watered. When establishing roots, water a couple of times a week, but once established, you may be fine with once a week, depending upon conditions such as light and temperature.

I filled two coir basket liners (about $2 each) with moisture controlled potting soil, watered both baskets and let sit so the soil would settle. I then added a little more soil to the liner that will be on the bottom, but not enough to over fill. You need room to plant the succulents.

Then you flip the top liner over. (You may lose a little as I did, but because you watered and let it dry, you won’t lose much)

I had a hard time keeping the two liners together, so I sewed them together. My potting gloves protected my hands from getting poked with the needle. A talent of mine. Any thread that is semi close is great. This is the color I use to sew Scout badges on.

I then opened the metal orb over the liner ball. I bought my orb from The Pot Shop (a totally cool pottery and yard art store in Sandy, UT). You could also use two hanging baskets. If you use hanging baskets, you will need to tie them together with wire.

To add plants, you will need to cut a hole using a serrated knife. Make the hole as big as needed, but not too big. Do not cut along the seam that you just sewed. I may or may not have had to remind myself of that!

Gently slide the plant in the hole and secure using two or three floral pins.

Hang from a strong shepherds hook in the garden, from a hook in the ceiling, set in a plant stand (mine is from the Pot Shop) or set in the garden or on a table (don’t plant on the bottom, if this is the case).

I’m so excited for the succulent ball to start filling in! It’s going to be GORGEOUS!

(I am going to bring mine in the garage or my basement during the winter to see if I can keep the plant alive, I will let you know how that goes)

To make your own, download these instructions:

Watch today’s Good Things Utah segment here (when available):

ENJOY!