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Decorating and Home, Our Home, Tutorials

How to Make a Succulent Bowl Centerpiece

August 12, 2019

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Learn how to create a stunning succulent bowl centerpiece with this easy tutorial

I am admittedly not the world’s best gardener or an expert plant lady, but I do like having plants around the house and try my best to not let them die. There are a few house plants I love that are very low maintenance, AKA hard to kill, and succulents are pretty high up on that list. Most varieties don’t need a ton of sunlight or water, making them perfect for people like me who forget to water them on a regular basis.

Lately I’ve been looking for low height centerpiece ideas for my coffee and dining room table because I hate not being able to see whoever is sitting across from me at the table or be able to see the tv from the couch because a big, tall centerpiece is in the way. I love the look of long branches in a pretty vase, but to be completely honest it’s just not practical for our family and we are constantly moving it out of the way. So I created a succulent centerpiece using a big pretty bowl as the vessel, and I am so excited to share how I made it with you guys. It was super simple, and I love how creative you can get with the style of bowl and all the different shape and color succulent varieties that are available. I actually ended up making three different succulent bowls because I couldn’t narrow down my choices to just one!

Learn how to create a stunning succulent bowl centerpiece with this easy tutorial

HOW TO MAKE A SUCCULENT BOWL CENTERPIECE

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

low-sided bowl, planter or vessel
cactus potting soil
river rock
succulents
spoon
extra bowl (doesn’t matter what kind)
small paint brush
plant mister

Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which allows me to make a small commission from your purchase, but your purchase price stays the same. When you use these links, I’m able to keep this blog going and make it better, so thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support!

Learn how to create a stunning succulent bowl centerpiece with this easy tutorial

INSTRUCTIONS:

Pour a single layer of river rock in the bottom of your bowl. This will help the soil stay well drained, especially if your vessel doesn’t have a drainage hole on bottom (mine doesn’t). Then add a layer of dirt to cover the rocks, leaving enough space in the bowl to add your succulents.

Note: I found it easiest and least messy to pour the cactus potting soil into a separate bowl and then spoon it into the centerpiece bowl.

Learn how to create a stunning succulent bowl centerpiece with this easy tutorial

HOW TO CHOOSE SUCCULENTS FOR YOUR CENTERPIECE:

Next, think about how you want to arrange the succulents. I recommend starting with the largest plant in the middle and filling in around the edges from there. Choose succulents with a variety of shapes and textures, but a similar color palette for a cohesive look. If any of your succulents are cascading, place those around the outside edge of the bowl so they can grow out over the sides and hang down. And do not be afraid to pack lots of plants into your bowl because it will look a lot better full and lush than with bare spots!

Learn how to create a stunning succulent bowl centerpiece with this easy tutorial

Once you have a base layer of rock and soil, start filling the bowl with your succulents. I recommend removing the plants from their pots over your extra bowl so that all the loose dirt falls in the bowl and not all over your table. Once you get all the succulents situated where you like, filling in the rest of the bowl with potting soil, but leave enough room at the top for another layer of river rock (shown in the next step). Again, using a spoon to fill dirt in between all the little plants is the easiest and least messy way to do this.

Learn how to create a stunning succulent bowl centerpiece with this easy tutorial

Once you are done adding soil, use a dry paintbrush to dust any dirt off the plants.

Learn how to create a stunning succulent bowl centerpiece with this easy tutorial

Then add one more layer of rock over the top of the dirt around all of the plants. I did this for two reasons: 1) it gives the centerpiece more of a clean, polished look and also allows you to get creative with the color of river rock you use (vs just plain dark dirt) and 2) when you water the plants, dirt won’t splash up on the leaves, keeping them pretty and tidy. This step is not at all necessary, but I really like the way the centerpiece looks with the rocks added!

And the last step… give your plants a light mist of water!

Learn how to create a stunning succulent bowl centerpiece with this easy tutorial

I love the way this succulent bowl looks in our dining room, especially because the candle chandelier hangs so low. You get to enjoy the pretty little plants without them getting in the way of conversation around the table.

Learn how to create a stunning succulent bowl centerpiece with this easy tutorial Learn how to create a stunning succulent bowl centerpiece with this easy tutorial

This white bowl with white rocks is very my style, but I absolutely adore the two other succulent bowls I made where I played around with different color combinations. Well… “neutral color combinations” lol!

A smaller white bowl with a single succulent and black river rock…

Learn how to create a stunning succulent bowl centerpiece with this easy tutorial

And this black bowl with natural multi-color river rock…

Learn how to create a stunning succulent bowl centerpiece with this easy tutorial

SUCCULENT CARE TIPS:

Water more less frequently – As I mentioned before, succulents don’t like to have their roots sitting in waterlogged soil for long periods of time, but they do still need hydration. Instead of giving them a small amount of water frequently, let the soil dry out and then water the soil a little heavier when you do. I’m currently watering mine weekly.

Use a plant mister – If you’re worried about accidentally overwatering, especially if your bowl does not have a drainage hole, use a plant mister so you can easily control how much water is going into the soil.

Lots of sunlight – Your indoor succulents will need lots of sunlight during the day, so try to find a sunny window to sit them next to. If you notice there is a lot of space between leaves and they start growing or leaning towards the sunlight, you may want to move the bowl to a sunnier spot. If you are planning on having your succulents outdoors be aware that even though they love sun and warmth, they can burn and scorch in direct sunlight, so part shade or indirect sunlight is best for outdoor plants.

Fertilize once a year – In the spring when new growth would naturally begin, go ahead and feed your plants and forget about fertilizing again till the next year.

Use a cactus potting mix that is fast-draining and best suited for succulents.

DIY plans and tutorial for a beautiful wood storage trunk with step-by-step photos

– BOWL OPTIONS –

– PLANT MISTERS –

 

SOURCES:

white bowl – Hobby Lobby
white + black river rock – Hobby Lobby
black bowl – Home Depot
natural multi-color river rock – IKEA
plant mister – similar here
dining table – tutorial here
dining chairs – World Market
chair cushions – World Market
wall hooks – Menard’s
sconce – Wayfair discontinued (similar here)
faux olive tree – Etsy
basket for tree – HomeGoods
denim jacket – Walmart
bag – similar here
table runner – Pier 1
candle chandelier – Rustic Garden


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Dining Room DIY Decor
by Liz Fourez 
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Comments

  1. linda says: August 17, 2019 at 5:22 pm

    you can take the succulents and turn them on their side and put them at the edge of the rim of the bowl and your center one, it will give a fuller look and place rocks around it. If you want a softer look purchase from local hardware store a bag of small river rock and it will look earthy over the formal white rocks. Glass colored rocks if a person wants color in a rm… Thank you for your guide to succulents center piece it is really nice….

    Reply
  2. Sarah says: August 26, 2019 at 1:09 pm

    Sorry if I missed it, but where is the bowl from that is on your instagram post? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Liz Fourez says: August 26, 2019 at 2:39 pm

      I believe the white bowl is probably the one you saw on Instagram, and I found it at Hobby Lobby!

      Reply
      • Sarah says: August 26, 2019 at 4:25 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply

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Welcome, sweet friends! My name is Liz, and I started Love Grows Wild in 2012 with a passion for interior design and homemaking and a dream to help others create a home they love.
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Liz Fourez started Love Grows Wild in 2012 with a passion for interior design and homemaking and a dream to help others create a home they love.  From simple project tutorials, to holiday and entertaining ideas, to her journey renovating a 1940’s farmhouse, Liz demonstrates how to create a beautiful and inviting home with a handmade touch. She turned her signature cozy, neutral style into a best-selling book in 2016 and continues to inspire readers with her captivating photography and easy decorating ideas. Read more about Liz > > > >

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A weird side angle of the living room as proof tha A weird side angle of the living room as proof that a giant TV does in fact exist in here, and we are just a normal family who loves movie nights snuggled up on the couch with the dog & football Sundays with all the yummy food during the game (one benefit of having an open concept living/dining room). I purposely placed the TV in a spot where it isn’t the main focal point of the room and designed the space to draw your eye to other much prettier things like the big picture window just to the left of this photo.

Want to try something like this in your living room? See if you can arrange the furniture so the TV isn’t the main focal point in the room, but still has visibility from the majority of your seating. Try making the focus a fireplace, window, or create a gallery wall with pretty artwork if you don’t have any standout architectural elements!

Just a little tidbit of advice I’ve learned & loved & wanted to pass along... Happy Monday, sweet friends!

LIVING ROOM DETAILS: 
link in my profile 

https://lovegrowswild.com/2020/08/designing-around-a-tv-part-1/
A little bit of work & a whole lot of relaxing wit A little bit of work & a whole lot of relaxing with my favorite humans this weekend. I have some fun things to share with you on the blog this week & several house projects going on (the dining & living room are looking SO good!!), but I need to recharge and spend some quality time doing my most important job on this Earth... taking care of my people. 🤍

What are your plans for the weekend? Whatever they are, I hope you have a chance to laugh, rest, eat something delicious, and enjoy a little sunshine (even if it’s sitting indoors because it’s very brrrr outside)!

OFFICE DETAILS:
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If you’re going to share one single bathroom wit If you’re going to share one single bathroom with two adolescent boys, you might as well make it pretty... because Lord knows it’s not always going to be clean. 🥴

Happiest Friday, sweet friends

BATHROOM DETAILS:
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Quite possibly my favorite view in the house. And Quite possibly my favorite view in the house. And also quite possibly the best place for morning snuggles, second cups of coffee, and the occasional Netflix binge. This room was “shiplapped” over 5 years ago now, but it has never felt like a passing fad or overly trendy with a mix of other vintage & traditional elements in the room. These big, wide planks have my whole heart just as much as the day we installed them back in 2015.

What’s your opinion on shiplap? In? Out? Vertical? Horizontal? Focal wall or the entire room? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

BEDROOM DETAILS:
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NEW! THE ARMSTRONG HOUSE LIVING ROOM REVEAL Last NEW! THE ARMSTRONG HOUSE LIVING ROOM REVEAL

Last time I shared an update on Mom’s house, I had just revealed the completed renovation, and you were able to see all the freshly painted white walls, new carpet & flooring, and a very stark blank canvas. We intentionally made this space light, bright, & neutral since 1) it’s a rental home, and we want it to appeal to a variety of styles. And 2) it’s VERY small, so the light paint makes it feel much more open & spacious than dark paint would! But all those white walls were in desperate need of a warm, cozy touch, and that’s exactly what Mom and I did…

a completely new living room design
in the prettiest beachy cozy cottage style
all on a small budget
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➡️ Tell me your favorite thing about this space in the comments!

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These are a few of my favorite things... 1️⃣ These are a few of my favorite things...

1️⃣ a piece of handmade art that brings me back to my elementary schools days of paper mache creations. I saw something similar in a store with a much higher price tag & got inspired to see if I could recreate it myself. Spoiler alert: it worked & the tutorial is on my blog!  search “pressed flower art” on lovegrowswild .com

2️⃣ my favorite white vases that we sold in the shop @lovegrowswildmarket this past year

3️⃣ my growing collection of interior design books. Naturally more of a minimalist, I have very few “collections” of things, but having beautiful books around the house that I can both decorate with & draw inspiration from has been one of the best gifts to myself over the last year. You can find all my current favorite design books in the link below.

Oh, and 4️⃣ a faux plant because who has time to remember to water real ones?

BEAUTIFUL BOOKS FOR STYLING YOUR HOME
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https://lovegrowswild.com/2020/11/beautiful-books-for-styling-your-home/
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