• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Laura Radniecki
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Fall
  • Craft Index
  • Library
  • Shop
  • Writing
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Fall
    • Craft Index
    • Library
    • Shop
    • Writing
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Spring

    How to Make DIY Succulent Planters

    Mar 9, 2023 | Updated Apr 22, 2025 | By Laura | This post may contain affiliate links | Leave a Comment

    • Facebook
    How to make DIY faux succulent planters.
    How to make DIY faux succulent planters.
    How to make DIY faux succulent planters.
    How to make DIY faux succulent planters.
    How to make DIY faux succulent planters.
    How to make DIY faux succulent planters.
    How to make DIY faux succulent planters.
    How to make DIY faux succulent planters.
    How to make DIY faux succulent planters.
    How to make DIY faux succulent planters.
    How to make DIY faux succulent planters.
    How to make DIY faux succulent planters.
    How to make DIY faux succulent planters.

    Learn how to make DIY succulent planters using faux succulents from Amazon, and a variety of jars, mini pots and other thrifted containers.

    How to make DIY faux succulent planters.

    Everyone loves succulents, and for good reason. They are cute, easy to take care of and come in all kinds of different shapes, sizes, and colors.

    What's even better than a real, live succulent? Beautiful faux succulents! They're even easier to take care of!

    Today, we are going to make DIY succulent planters using faux succulents and containers from the thrift store!

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Craft
    • Craft Supplies Needed
    • How to Make DIY Succulent Planters
    • Common Questions
    • More Faux Plant Crafts You'll Love
    • How to Make DIY Succulent Planters

    Why You'll Love This Craft

    • Succulents are often plump and waxy in real life, so these faux versions look surprisingly lifelike.
    • This is a perfect way to use jars, containers, pots, or any small containers you have at home. And if you don't have a collection at home already, head to any thrift store and you'll find dozens of fun (and cheap) options.
    • If you use opaque containers or pots, you might not even need any type of filler inside. But if you have a semi or fully transparent container, you can use whatever type of filler you have.

    Craft Supplies Needed

    Supplies to make DIY succulent planters.
    • Faux Succulents - Buy them on Amazon, or from craft stores, big box stores, or even dollar stores.
    • Jars, Mini Clay Pots, Containers - We bought a selection at a local thrift store.
    • Filler - You can use rocks, pebbles, sand, shredded paper, or dirt etc.

    How to Make DIY Succulent Planters

    Pour sand into the bottom of a jar.

    Step 1: Add filler of choice to a container and add in a faux succulent.

    This first one uses white sand.

    Add faux succulent to sand filled jar.

    Step 2: Push the plant into the sand, stem first.

    It is not glued or secured in any way.

    If you want to protect against spills, you could add a clear layer of Mod Podge to the top of the sand.

    Add small agates or other rocks to the bottom of a jar.

    Step 3. Next, we used small rocks (agates here) as filler.

    You can use pebbles of any kind.

    Add faux succulent to jar filled with small agates or pebbles or rocks.

    Step 4. Slide the succulent, stem-first, into the rocks.

    Use shredded paper as a filler for mini clay pot and faux succulent.

    Step 5. This succulent planter has shredded kraft paper as the filler.

    Crumple the paper into a tight ball and place it in the bottom of a mini clay pot. 

    Pro Tip: If you are using a planter like this mini terra cotta pot that has a drainage hole in the bottom, you may want to plug it with hot glue or a layer of paper or tinfoil before putting the filler in if it's something small like pebbles or sand.

    Use shredded paper as a filler for mini clay pot and faux succulent.

    Step 6. Add in the faux succulent.

    If you want to help secure the succulent, you could hot glue the undersides of the leaves to the inside edges of the clay pot.

    Use shredded straw or raffia as a filler for a faux succulent container.

    Step 7. We used shredded straw or raffia as filler for this planter.

    Crumple it up and press it into the bottom of a container.

    Use shredded straw or raffia as a filler for a faux succulent container.

    Step 8. Add a succulent on top.

    Hot glue the undersides of the leaves to the container if you want to secure it.

    Add multiple faux succulents to one container to add interest and make the DIY succulent planter look more realistic.

    Step 9. In this DIY succulent planter, we used shredded kraft paper and three different faux succulent plants.

    Add multiple faux succulents to one container to add interest and make the DIY succulent planter look more realistic.

    Step 10. This gives it variety and visual interest.

    How to Make DIY Succulent Planters.

    Step 11. You can also create succulent planters using large containers and many succulents combined together.

    The blue pot has sand as the filler.

    Add multiple faux succulents to a bowl or dish to create a beautiful centerpiece.

    Step 12. The translucent green container has agates as filler but rocks or pebbles work equally well.

    Add multiple faux succulents to a bowl or dish to create a beautiful centerpiece.
    How to make fake succulents.
    Add multiple faux succulents to a bowl or dish to create a beautiful centerpiece.
    How to make fake succulents.
    How to make a faux succulent planter using fake plants.

    Part of the beauty of these faux succulents (besides never needing to be watered or tended to) is their versatility.

    We didn't glue any of the succulents into the pot so we can change things up and reuse them at any time.

    It makes it a little risky not to secure the plants into the containers; they can tip and spill if they are bumped or dropped.

    But the benefit is that they can be repotted, rearranged, reconfigured, and reused in different projects as you please!

    DIY succulent plants.

    Common Questions

    Where is the best place to buy fake succulents?

    You can buy fake succulent plants on Amazon like I did, or look for them at craft stores, home decor stores, big box stores, or dollar stores.

    What type of containers work best for these faux succulent planters, and where can I buy them?

    I used a variety of thrifted containers for my faux succulent planters; this is win win for me because they're cute, eco-friendly, and cute! You can also use flower pots as well as recycled containers that you wrap in yarn or rope, or paint.

    Which kinds of fillers work best when making fake succulent plants in pots?

    In this tutorial, we used a variety of fillers from sand to rocks, shredded paper, and straw or raffia. You can also use real dirt, marbles, buttons, seashells, beans or any other filler you can thank of!

    How to make cute little succulents in pots with faux succulent plants.
    Fake succulents in little pots.

    Faux succulents are available in bulk which makes projects like these DIY succulent planters easy and cheap to make.

    The sky is the limit as far as containers go - you can use mason jars, coffee mugs, small planters, or thrifted glassware like we did.

    More Faux Plant Crafts You'll Love

    • How to make a Succulent Wreath for your front door.
      How to Make a Succulent Wreath
    • Gift Wrapping Ideas for Christmas
      Gift Wrapping Ideas for Christmas
    • how to make a faux eucalyptus pumpkin using styrofoam pumpkins from the Dollar Tree
      How to Make a Faux Eucalyptus Pumpkin
    • how to make a faux succulent pumpkin using styrofoam pumpkins from the dollar Tree
      How to Make a Faux Succulent Pumpkin

    ---
    ⭐️🧶 Did you enjoy this craft and want to see more like it? ✂️ Join our FREE email community and get inspiring craft ideas sent right to your inbox! 🧵 ⭐️
    ---

    How to make DIY faux succulent planters.
    Print

    How to Make DIY Succulent Planters

    Learn how to make DIY succulent planters using faux succulents from Amazon, and a variety of jars, mini pots and other thrifted containers.
    Author: Laura Radniecki

    Materials

    • Faux Succulents
    • Glass Jars, Clay Pots, Containers
    • Filler of Choice

    Instructions

    • Add filler of choice to a container and add in a faux succulent.
      This first one uses white sand.
    • Push the plant into the sand, stem first.
      It is not glued or secured in any way.
      If you want to protect against spills, you could add a clear layer of Mod Podge to the top of the sand.
    • Next, we used small rocks (agates here) as filler.
      You can use pebbles of any kind.
    • Slide the succulent, stem-first, into the rocks.
    • This succulent planter has shredded kraft paper as the filler.
      Crumple the paper into a tight ball and place it in the bottom of a mini clay pot. 
      Pro Tip: If you are using a planter like this mini terra cotta pot that has a drainage hole in the bottom, you may want to plug it with hot glue or a layer of paper or tinfoil before putting the filler in if it's something small like pebbles or sand.
    • Add in the faux succulent.
      If you want to help secure the succulent, you could hot glue the undersides of the leaves to the inside edges of the clay pot.
    • We used shredded straw or raffia as filler for this planter.
      Crumple it up and press it into the bottom of a container.
    • Add a succulent on top.
      Hot glue the undersides of the leaves to the container if you want to secure it.
    • In this DIY succulent planter, we used shredded kraft paper and three different faux succulent plants.
    • This gives it variety and visual interest.
    • You can also create succulent planters using large containers and many succulents combined together.
      The blue pot has sand as the filler.
    • The translucent green container has agates as filler but rocks or pebbles work equally well.

    Notes

    • Look for fake succulents on Amazon, at craft stores, big box stores, home good stores, and dollar stores.
    • Thrift stores and garage sales are the perfect place to pick up small cups and dishes to use as flower pots for your faux succulents. They're cheap and it's eco-friendly!
    • The sky is the limit for filler types - try sand, dirt, pebbles, agates, small fossils, sharks teeth, marbles, beads, sea glass, seashells, or any other filler you can think of.

    More Easy Spring Craft Ideas

    • Felt petal flowers made with a small mum center.
      How to Make Felt Petal Flowers
    • How to Make Felt Rose Flowers
      How to Make DIY Felt Rose Flowers
    • Colorful felt mums of different sizes and fringe thicknesses.
      How to Make Felt Mum Flowers
    • How to make a pom pom wreath using yarn in rainbow colors.
      How to Make a Rainbow Pompom Wreath

    About Laura

    Laura Radniecki is a crafter, writer, and photographer from small-town Minnesota. A lifelong maker, she shares easy step-by-step craft tutorials. She's a wife to her high school sweetheart, mama to their son and daughter, dog mama to their 2 brother + sister toy poodles, and a part-time RV snowbird in Florida.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Laura Radniecki!

    I’m here to help you make easy crafts! Around here, you’ll find step-by-step craft tutorials that remove the guesswork, and are easy, fast, and fun. If you are a busy crafter, you are in the right place!

    (I also write when I'm inspired, and share my thoughts on my life + our world here too.)

    .

    More about me →

    Fall Crafts

    • How to make a beeswax dipped leaf garland.
      How to Make a Beeswax Leaf Garland
    • A Halloween wreath made with burlap ribbon with black and orange polka dots on it.
      How to Make a Burlap Halloween Wreath
    • How to Preserve Fall Leaves with Beeswax.
      How to Preserve Fall Leaves with Beeswax
    • Fall earrings made with felt ball pumpkins.
      How to Make Felt Ball Pumpkin Earrings
    • A look at using Matte vs Gloss Mod Podge to preserve fall leaves.
      A Look at Matte vs Gloss Mod Podge Fall Leaves
    • A wooden bowl with plaster easter eggs in it. The plastic eggs are wrapped in yarn and twine to look like DIY acorns.
      DIY Fall Acorns using Yarn-Wrapped Plastic Easter Eggs

    Popular Crafts

    • Purple and red paper cones made with construction paper, laying with a scissors on a table top.
      How to Make a Cone Out of Paper
    • Yellow DIY cornhole bag and scrabble tiles that say "game on".
      How to Make Cornhole Bags
    • Photo showing a wreath made out of jute rope hanging on a wall above a shelf with a plant on it.
      How to Make a Jute Wreath
    • How to Make a Pacifier Clip
      How to Make a Pacifier Clip
    • Learn how to make yarn tassels in this DIY tassel tutorial, showing two methods - one by hand and one using cardboard for making tassels.
      How to Make Yarn Tassels
    • Pinecones laying on a whitewashed wooden surface.
      How to Prepare Pine Cones for Crafts

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Shop
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility

    Newsletter

    • Get craft tutorials, DIY project inspiration, and a first look at anything new by joining our email list. - Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2026 Laura Radniecki