DIY Succulent Wall Art

Purchase succulent cuttings from a local nursery or online, or make your own. Cut pieces off of a larger plant, leaving a half-inch stem. Place the cuttings in a cool, dry place for three to five days until the cut portion hardens. You’ll need approximately 100 cuttings per square foot for a full, rich effect. If you’re using succulents that grow to be larger than average, you can use fewer.

Cut a piece of 1/4-inch woven hardware cloth to 1/2 inch longer and wider than the opening of the planter. Bend the edges all the way around and slide the frame into the planter. Secure it in place with a staple gun, going through the folded edge and into the planter frame.

Measure one-quarter of the way down from the top of the planter on the back on either side, marking these points with a pencil. Check that the two marks are in line with each other. Drill a small pilot hole through each mark and then screw eye hooks into each hole.

Cut a piece of heavy-duty picture frame wire to fit between the two hooks plus 10 inches, leaving enough slack so that when pulled taut, the wire goes up halfway between the hooks and the top edge of the frame. Slide one end of the wire through one eye hook until about five inches sticks out. Fold the wire in on itself and twist it tightly to secure. Repeat this on the opposite side. Clamp down on the twists with pliers to secure.

Flip the planter box right side up and fill it with a soil suitable for the type of cuttings that you’re using, pushing the soil through the mesh. A cactus potting mix or a 50/50 combination of potting soil and builder’s sand work well for many varieties of succulents.

Push a wooden skewer inside one mesh square to create a small hole in the soil. Plant your cutting in this hole through the mesh. Continue planting until the entire succulent wall art frame is full. Start from the center and work your way out for a symmetrical look, or create groupings of larger plants in various parts of the planter before going back in with smaller varieties to fill it out.

Leave the DIY succulent art sitting flat for eight to 12 weeks, until roots firmly develop. Water the plants about once a week, beginning 10 days after planting. Keep them moist but not oversaturated.

Hang the planter using a heavy-duty picture hanger or lean it on a table against a wall. Keep the succulent wall art in a room that receives filtered to bright sunlight.