Succulent Dish Garden

This simple activity uses succulent cuttings from your garden combined with household items to create a beautiful and unique dish garden. Before you begin, gather all the materials and set up a quiet, comfortable work area for you and your garden partner

Once your garden partner is seated at the table, be sure to take time to help explore the materials ~ touching, observing colors, patterns and shapes of cuttings and containers. Share your thoughts, e.g. “This cutting looks like a tiny star.” “I love the feel of the soil (or sand) as it falls through my fingers.” “This shell reminds me of the day we went to the beach.”

Materials

  • Succulent cuttings, small pieces work best with an inch or two of stem. Avoid cuttings with sharp edges or spines, and those that have irritating sap like euphorbias.
  • Repurpose a clean plastic container. It doesn’t need to be deep, 3-4” is about right.
  • Sand or potting soil
  • Embellishments, e.g. small stones, shells, glass beads, small ornaments, buttons
  • Spray bottle filled with water

Steps

  • Fill half the depth of the container with sand or potting soil
  • Gently level the sand/soil and pat down
  • Place or push stem-end of succulent into the sand/soil
  • Add your decorations
  • Use spray bottle to mist plants once a week; no additional watering needed
  • Place in bright light, but not direct sun

Tip: For easy cleanup, use a plastic tablecloth, craft paper or newspaper to cover the work surface.