Expert Tips for Planting Succulents in Glass Containers [Pictures and Guides]

Succulents are some of the most versatile and easy to care for plants that you can get. Succulents can be a great decor element that will liven up any room without causing much inconvenience.

Glass containers from around the house can be recycled into beautiful plant pots for succulents. We’ve put together this easy and straightforward guide that will tell you everything you need to know about how to plant succulents in glass containers.

Choosing a Container

Succulents are known to be fairly simple to take care of as long as you know a few basic things about succulents at large and make sure you understand the specific needs of the plant you have.

Succulents are very good at surviving with very little water because most of them are native to desert regions. However, succulents cannot tolerate overwatering and tend to catch rot very quickly.

Hence, drainage holes are essential in containers where succulents will be potted to ensure that excess water can drain out of the container.

If you are using a glass container specifically meant for potting plants, then the chances are that it will have drainage holes. However, most glass containers will not have drainage holes.

This can make it slightly challenging to ensure that your succulent is not overwatered. However, with a little bit of extra care and caution, you can definitely make it work.

Planting succulents in glass containers also has its own advantages. Usually, containers with drainage holes require you to put a plate underneath to collect the excess water or the water can stain the surface the plant is kept on.

Glass containers without drainage holes are the perfect pots for having decorative indoor succulent plants. You can also use different aesthetically pleasing glass containers such as mason jars and old bottles or you can paint and decorate glass containers according to your preferences.

Planting Succulents in Glass Containers

You can find succulents easily in different shops wherever you live. The succulents that are available for purchase in shops come in a general potting mix that is not very well suited for planting succulents, especially in glass containers without drainage holes.

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It is essential that the potting mix you use for your succulents in a glass container is extremely well-drained so that there is minimal risk of overwatering. You can buy a pre-made succulent potting mix or make your own potting mix.

To make your own succulent potting mix, mix two parts of regular potting soil with two parts of sand. Then combine this with one part of perlite, which is a readily available volcanic glass.

Use the pre-made succulent potting mix or the potting mix that you have made to fill up the glass container halfway. This will give you enough space to adjust your succulent plants when you plant them.

There is a common myth that putting gravel at the bottom of the container will help the plant with drainage. However, do not do this as this simply raises the level of the water table inside the container and makes the succulent more vulnerable to root rot.

The second step is to gently take out your succulents from the potting soil that they came in. Some of the soil will be clumped on the roots. You need to gently clean that soil out of the roots and remove any dead leaves on the plant.

After you have taken out your succulent, plant it in the potting mix while taking care that none of the plant leaves are touching the soil.

Then, use the rest of the potting mix to fill up the container according to your preference. To add a finishing touch to the top of the container, you can add a layer of peat moss or pebbles.

How to Take Care of Your Succulent in a Glass Container

The most important aspect of taking care of your succulents in a glass container is to ensure that it is not overwatered. After potting your succulent in the glass container, wait for a day or two to allow the roots of the succulents to adjust to the new habitat.

One simple way to check if the succulent has enough water already is to weigh it. If there is not enough water in the soil, the container should feel very light. You can also check to see if the soil is damp or dry.

You will know when the succulent is not getting enough water because the leaves will become flaccid and soft to the touch.

It is essential to follow the specific needs of your succulent plants when it comes to watering and to be very careful and precise about how you are watering the plant.

You can use a measuring cup to measure the exact amount of water you are using each time you water your plant and then adjust it according to the plant’s needs. You can also use a pipette or squeeze bottle that will allow you to water the plant precisely.

Usually, succulents need to be watered once every one or two weeks. Most succulents like to be exposed to a lot of sunlight but direct sunlight can damage the leaves of succulents.

However, the amount of sunlight and water required by your succulent can vary significantly from plant to plant.

Most succulents need to be fed with fertilizers about once a year. You also need to take care to remove any dead leaves from the plant periodically so that the plant can keep growing.

Bottom Line

Glass containers can be a lovely way to plant succulents and use them for decorating your home. The biggest challenge with planting succulents in glass containers is that there are no drainage holes. As a result, there is the risk of overwatering your succulent plant.

Succulents are very sensitive to overwatering and hence when you plant them in a glass container, your main concern should be to ensure you are using the appropriate amount of water.

If you are unsure about how much water to use, it is always safer to use less water than required since succulents can easily adapt to underwatering.