From echeverias to crassulas, from sempervivums to sedums, the wonderful world of the Succulent is a diverse group that are ever so popular. They have the reputation of being easy plants, but what do they need to thrive? And how can you get beautiful bang for your hard-earned buck? Melissa will show you how to multiply your succulents in a matter of weeks and has a great project in mind to take your succulent collection to the next level, the succulent topiary-style ball!
WATCH: How to make a succulent topiary-style ball
Grey, green, blue, pink, yellow, even a startling orange – bring the amazing colours, textures and shapes of succulents, snuggle them together in a ball and you have a brilliant new variation on the old practice of topiary. You can even start from scratch by growing your own succulents.
Easy steps to your succulent topiary
Gather your supplies
- Urn
- Pebbles
- Succulent potting mix
- Sphagnum moss
- Chicken wire
- Succulent cuttings
- Floral wire
You’ll also need
For you to note
- The pebbles are to keep your urn stable so it doesn’t fall over.
- Succulents readily root into sphagnum moss, thrive and grow. Sphagnum moss absorbs water quickly, allowing the cuttings to get a good drink, then dries quickly so that the roots don’t rot.
Here’s how
Step 1
Fill base of urn with pebbles, then top up with succulent potting mix.
Step 2
Make a sphere from the chicken wire, leaving the bottom open. Remove excess wire with wire cutters.
Step 3
Fill bucket with water and soak sphagnum moss for about 15 minutes.
Step 4
Squeeze excess water from sphagnum moss and press into wire sphere, filling it. Place on top of urn, open end on top of mix.
Step 5
Guide stems of succulent cuttings into sphagnum moss with a chopstick or pencil.
Step 6
If succulent cuttings don’t have enough stem, spear base with floral wire, bend in half and insert into sphagnum moss.
Step 7
Cover sphagnum moss ball with succulents, varying the shape and colour of the plants to create a random pattern.
Have a ball, but don’t box yourself in with topiaried buxus. Instead, create a stunning statement urn that you don’t have to regularly clip! Many succulents produce tall flower spikes, trim when flowers fade to keep your topiary ball neat.
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