Start with a container and pot you love. Select enough plants, succulents, and cacti to fill the pot. To estimate and plan out your final piece, place the un-potted plants into your container like image above, as you shop. Also, have a reference image or an inspiration picture with you while shopping. That way, you will not over or under buy.
Once you have plants and pot, you will need gardening gloves, tinfoil, scissors and/or garden clippers, small rocks and shells of choice, sand (depending), and potting soil.
If your pot has drainage holes that are large enough you do not want dirt to fall through while planting, place a small piece of tinfoil lightly over the surface. This is mainly to help while you plant or if you do not intend on permanently keeping your pot on a water drainage plate.
Start potting, first with the cactus or plant you want in the most center of your pot. Place in center. If working with very prickly cacti, sometimes I place a piece of tinfoil around the bottom of the cactus near the dirt so that when I am handling the plants near it or adding dirt around the surface of the plant, it blocks me from accidentally rubbing the cactus.
When I have medium to larger size plants I usually make a few cuts down and around the recyclable container they come in, in order to remove the plant easily from the container. The larger a plant's roots, sometimes it can be tricky to pull it out and place into pot. After making the cuts to remove plant, I put on my gloves and start potting.
Before placing the cactus into the pot after removing the disposable container I add a few handfuls of soil directly into pot. If you are potting a more shallow container or dish it is best to add a layer of sand beneath the soil to help with absorption for when you water. It was not necessary for this particular planter so I begin to fill soil around the cactus in center and begin adding other plants that will be placed nearest to the center plant and continue to add dirt and pack plants and soil in place. Creating a pocket with the dirt to place the plant into is a great way to keep your plants standing and in place as you pot.
It is important to loosen up the bottom of the dirt and roots of your plants before sitting into the pot so that they will easily adjust in their new soil and environment. I loosely squeeze the plant's soil to shake off a little of the edges and unnecessary excess dirt.
Once I loosen the roots, I continue placing the plant into the dirt pocket and continue to spread and surround the roots with new soil.
The final pot should look fresh with all new soil covering edges and tops of pre-existing plant soil from each individual plant. Go back and make sure to firm up any areas where plants may be leaning or need a little extra soil to keep them upright and in place where you wish them to be.
I use a paintbrush to go back into any areas where soil covered leaves of plants and edges of the pot. It is best to give it a nice gentle clean up before adding the final touches of stones or sand.
For any planters intended to stay indoors, always place a layer of sand on top of soil when complete and then place stones. This is greatly important to help prevent any flying gnats or bugs from wanting to make your plant their home. The sand will block the dirt and the stones will block the sand and it creates a double layer of protection for your planter. In addition, the stones and shells you add create a beautiful decorative look. This particular planter is going outside so I feel comfortable using stones only to finish off the planter.
I always keep a bowl with shells, coral, stones, small pieces of driftwood and really anything interesting I find on the beach. Whenever I pot a new plant I pull from my bowl of shells and give the final touches to my planter.
And there it is folks... my final cactus centerpiece for our outdoor bar top table. Looks gorg and leaves plenty of space on the table for our drinks. Cheers! Hope you love your planter as much as I love mine! xo RCN