3 Creative Displays for Low-Maintenance Plants

3 Creative Displays for Low-Maintenance Plants

It's easy to see why the popularity of succulents has skyrocketed in recent years. The plants look modern and require little maintenance -- just several hours of sun and not too much water. To showcase their beauty at home, go beyond the terra-cotta pot with these display idea.

Bottle Terrariums
Sprinkle an inch of cactus soil in a clean glass bottle. Divide the succulents into single-stem plantlets, each with roots. Using chopsticks, place the plantlets in the bottle one at a time. Use the chopsticks again to nestle each plantlet into the soil. Once the plants are situated, keep them indoors and out of direct sunlight. These desert plants require only a drop of water every two weeks or so.

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Succulent Rock Garden
For those without outdoor space, this boot-tray arrangement creates a miniature landscape inside. Sprinkle an inch or more of well-draining cactus soil across the bottom of the tray. If your display is going outside, use an electric drill to make drainage holes every three to four inches. Top with a layer of tumbled-glass mulch, available at most garden centers, leaving room between each for the glass to shine through. Place the garden in a sunny spot, and water sparingly if indoors, only when the soil is completely dry to the touch.

Modular Planters
Inspired by a similar vegetable wall at Big Red Sun nursery in Austin, Texas, gardening editor Stephen Orr created this outdoor garden. To make it, line the inside of cinder blocks with metal mesh, using gardening gloves to protect your skin against the mesh's sharp edges. Pour cactus soil onto the mesh, and place succulents inside the blocks. Set the blocks outside; water only during severe drought conditions.

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