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  1. Home
  2. Garden

Reader project: A gorgeous succulent garden in a $7.50 Kmart tray

So adorable! - by Olivia Hart
  • 01 Sep 2020

Think you need a large outdoor garden to make a stunning statement with succulents?

WATCH: Charlie Albone's guide to succulents 

One Better Homes and Gardens reader has used a $7.50 black tray from Kmart – along with an adorable sloth pot – to create a vibrant indoor scene with succulents.

The project is the brainchild of Chelsea Somers, who uses an assortment of succulents, colourful pebbles and a variety of objects to create unique miniature gardens. 

Better Homes and Gardens Online caught up with Chelsea to find out how she makes these quirky designs. 

Soil in pot

Before: A Kmart tray with soil and a sloth pot

Chelsea Somers
Final makeover look

After: An eye-catching colourful succulent garden

Chelsea Somers

What inspired the project?

I loved the sloth pots but wanted to do more with it than just hang it. Originally, I was really wanting to do a coffee table bowl but when I saw the serving tray at Kmart, I thought it would be a bit different, and it turned out to be the perfect size for what I had in mind. I’d also just got a beautiful new selection of coloured rocks, so I decided this was the perfect project to use them both.

soil in pot with pebbles

Add some green pebbles

Chelsea Somers

Have you worked on any similar projects before?

Yes, I have made a few before using terracotta pots, but not novelty pots like the sloth.


What kind of look were you after?


Something a bit eye-popping that highlighted everything in the bowl.

Planting succulents into soil on tray

Add an assortment of succulents in different shapes, colours and sizes

Chelsea Somers

Biggest challenges?


The biggest challenge was making sure everything flowed. It’s important to select the right plants so everything complements each other. Also, blending the pebbles for the sky was a bit tricky.

Succulents planted

Almost there!

Chelsea Somers

How to DIY

  • Drill holes in tray using a 5mm metal drill bit.
  • Fill with soil.
  • Position sloth in the bottom third of the tray.
  • Add green stones to create the foliage for the tree.
  • Add plants, start by planting the large ones first then plant the smaller ones around.
  • Add the brown/beige stones to create the branch, a narrow row either side of the plants.
  • Add a variety of blue stones for the sky, varying to blend the colours.
All the items used for makeover

All the items needed to create this stunning succulent garden

Chelsea Somers

Budget breakdown

Black serving tray: $7.50 from Kmart
Sloth pot: $7.50 from Kmart
Soil: $2 from Bunnings
Coloured pebbles: from $2 at Bunnings
Plants: $30 for Tornado succulents

If you have succulents in your own garden, cut those instead of buying new. It’ll cut your costs by half.

Total cost: Around $50

Laying pebbles into tray around succulents

Finish the scene by adding blue 'sky' pebbles

Chelsea Somers

Love Chelsea's sloth garden? Check out her other designs.

succulentcreationsbycs View Profile
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A beautiful gift for a very special mum 💗💗 can be personalised to any colour your heart desires 💙💚💛
succulentcreationsbycs View Profile
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One of our first designs created "For Dad 💗"...
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A recent design we created... please Contact us if you're interested in purchasing this creation!

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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

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Mum's amazing DIY Kmart hack transforms her backyard

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The new $3 Kmart hack that will revolutionise your home

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Kmart mum's upholstered bedhead hack cost $14

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How one mum created an enchanted garden for her daughter

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See why this Kmart clock hack went viral

See why this Kmart clock hack went viral

This ultra-chic Kmart hack will add instant style to your home

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This $5 Kmart hack will help kids sleep on a plane

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The Kmart cubby hack that's breaking the internet

This $8.50 Kmart item makes basic kitchen look more expensive

This $8.50 Kmart item makes basic kitchen look more expensive

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