Succulents are virtually indestructible, which makes them perfect for fun gardening projects.
Watch: Charlie Albone’s guide to succulents
In this creative reuse project, an old picture frame and a collection of established succulent cuttings join forces to create a living work of art.
This succulent art frame will look at home in a compact courtyard, or indoors, positioned in a sunny spot where the succulents will thrive. We used a mix of ‘Hens and chicks’ succulents, although most popular succulent varieties will also work.
Gather your supplies
- Medium to large picture frame (with back and glass removed)
- 90 x 11mm pine or similar to make box
- 9mm plywood sheet for box back
- Cage mesh with 25 x 25mm squares
- Succulent potting mix
- Small succulent plants or established succulent plants from which to take cuttings
- Handsaw
- Secateurs
- Hammer
- Tape measure
- PVA glue
- Nails
- Wire cutters
- Staple gun with staples
- Drill with suitable drill bit
- 2 eye bolts
- Picture wire
- Cloth
- Hand trowel
- Eexterior paint in colour of choice
- Paint brush
- Pencil
- Clear exterior varnish
- Misting bottle
Here’s how
Step 1
Gather small succulent plants or cuttings, ensuring minimum 2cm stems.
Step 2
Make a simple timber frame with butt-joint corners to fit to back of picture frame. To do this, measure length and width of the back of the picture frame and cut 4 lengths of pine to size. Glue corners together and fix with nails. Seal using clear exterior varnish and allow to dry. Position constructed timber frame on back of picture frame and nail in place to secure.
Step 3
Measure inside area of your picture frame, which now has the timber frame secured to back. Use wire cutters to cut mesh a few centimetres larger all around than the hole. From back, position mesh inside opening and secure with staples onto rear of picture frame.
Step 4
Cut plywood to fit back of timber frame to create box and seal using clear exterior varnish. Once dry, nail in place and drill 6 small drainage holes into plywood. Attach 2 eye bolts an equal distance apart to back of picture frame, then secure a length of picture wire between.
Step 5
Turn constructed frame face up and wipe down surface with a cloth. Apply 2 coats of exterior paint, allowing to dry between coats. Once dry, fill box with succulent potting mix, working it through mesh with your fingers and pack it firmly until filled to top of mesh.
Step 6
Push pencil through 1 square of wire mesh into soil to make a planting hole. Position stem of succulent cutting into the hole and continue planting this way until entire frame is full. Place larger plants in first, followed by smaller ones.
Step 7
Water succulents in with a gentle spray, then leave horizontal for 6-12 weeks to allow roots to form before hanging.
TIP: To water, lay on a flat surface and thoroughly moisten soil. Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour for water to drain, then
rehang on wall.
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