30 Captivating Backyard Succulent Gardens You Can Easily DIY

Succulent gardens have quickly become a fast growing craze. It’s not surprising seeing as how you can add succulents and grow them beautifully in virtually any climate. They are perfect for dry environments, and can be arranged just about anywhere from indoor patios to outdoor garden areas, poolside, and even along the driveway. I love succulents simply because I don’t have a green thumb and these things are so easy to grow, and nearly impossible to kill.

Many people think of cactus when they think succulents but they are so much more than a simple cactus in the center of your flower garden. You can create quite a captivating garden area using a wide array of succulent types, and I’ve collected 30 of the most enchanting gardening ideas for you to use those succulents – which by the way are relatively inexpensive and can be found just about anywhere from home improvement stores to Wal-Mart.

Succulent gardens are a great choice if you don’t have time to actually maintain a flower garden. They require very little care and readily thrive in many regions including coastal areas and those that have very short rainy seasons. You can even plant them around this great Patio Water Garden, which by the way is also really easy to build.

Succulent gardens are great for all sizes of space, as well. Whether you have a huge garden area to fill or just a small patio space, you are sure to find a succulent garden that will perfectly fill in that space with beautifully greenery and splashes of color. By the way, if you are working with small spaces, be sure to check out these 40 Space Saving Garden Solutions for those smaller garden spaces.

So, succulents are great because they grow easily, require very little maintenance, and you can virtually build any garden theme that you want around them. If you’ve been searching for the perfect garden idea, this is it. Let’s take a look at some wonderful succulent gardens that you can easily – and cheaply – DIY and have a beautiful garden space this spring.

1. Stairway To Heaven

This gorgeous succulent display uses a tree trunk as a background. You add the succulents so that they are climbing up the trunk. This is an excellent gardening option for those of you who have old trees in your yard that you don’t want to cut down. If you don’t have a tree, you could get the same effect with a ladder against the side of the house or porch. You can use any number of different succulent types and sizes.

Mug succulent planter

I know we’ve made tons of terrariums for succulents on the blog but I don’t know if we’ve ever made this. A DIY Mug Succulent Planter. It’s a succulent planter in a mug. How cute is that! This project is super simple mostly because we’re using faux succulents. If you’re looking for a fun summer project or a new DIY planter idea then look no further.

Source/Tutorial: alittlecraftinyourday

2. Wheelbarrow Succulent Garden

An old wheelbarrow is the perfect place to plant your succulents. If you don’t have a rusty old wheelbarrow or wagon, you can pick them up for just a few dollars at a flea market or yard sale. Add some pea gravel or river stones and some mesh and potting soil. Then add your succulents. This little mini garden is perfect if you don’t have much ground room to plant succulents and it’s a big portable so you can move it when you need to do so for landscaping and such.

Source/Tutorial: drought-smart-plants

3. Cinder Block Succulent Garden

If you have a few cinder blocks in the backyard, and most people do, you can use them to create a beautiful display area for your succulents. Just place the cinder blocks a few tiers deep and add potting soil. Then place your succulents wherever you want them to build the display that you want. you may also want to add a few plants that hang, especially if you stack the blocks pretty high, or paint the blocks before you stack them if you want to create a theme or have a specific color that matches your exterior.

4. Birdcage Succulent Garden

I really love this idea – You just take an old birdcage and turn it into a holder for your succulents. Using a birdcage that opens from the top makes it much easier to access the plants inside. You can normally find old birdcages at thrift shops or you can buy a new one at most craft stores. Just use a hanging basket liner in the bottom of the cage to hold the plants in. Choose succulents that will fit easily inside and peek out the cage for a good display.

Source/Tutorial: gardentherapy

5. Succulent Wreath

This succulent wreath is perfect if you want to add a succulent garden but have very little space available. You use a variety of different succulents and moss to create the wreath which you can hang on the side of your house or in your garden. Start with a floral wreath form to make things easier and use floral or chicken wire to hold it all together. As your succulents grow, the wreath will become fuller and more lush.

Source/Tutorial: ourfairfieldhomeandgarden

6. Gardening Can Succulent Planter

larger succulent garden. If you don’t have an old watering can, you can use a new one or look for one when you’re flea market or thrift store shopping. If you want a succulent garden that has a rustic theme, this is the perfect way to get it.

Source/Tutorial: designdininganddiapers

7. Boot Or Shoe Succulent Planters

Take an old pair of boots or walking shoes and turn them into wonderful planters for your succulents. I love this idea for old rustic looking gardens. Just stuff the boots with cactus soil and add your succulent. You may only be able to get one per shoe at the top but you can also cut away the top section of the toes and place another there. Add a complete pair of boots to have a wonderful little mini succulent garden that is sure to be the talk of your next garden party.

Source/Tutorial: flickr

8. Succulent Garden Chair Planter

This garden chair turned mini succulent garden is gorgeous. You use chicken wire and moss to hold your plants in place, and you can use any selection of plants you wish. Remove the seat from your old chair and then add moss. This is a great upcycle project for broken chairs and you have such a creative base. An old wrought iron patio chair would also look great or you could do this with an entire bench.

Source/Tutorial: empressofdirt

9. Outdoor Succulent Plant Shelf

I really love this outdoor plant shelf for succulents – it’s particularly perfect if you just don’t have enough space for a more traditional garden. The great thing about this shelf is you may be able to build it for nothing. If you have an old pallet, you can totally convert that into this lovely shelf, and it holds loads of succulents. I especially like the burlap – it gives it a great rustic look. You can also just place plant containers into the shelf instead of planting directly, so it will be easier to change plants out when needed.

Source/Tutorial: empressofdirt

10. Succulent Planter Box

I really adore the colors in this one – you can get such a great rainbow look from adding different succulents. I also love that it’s in a wooden box, so you can move it about as needed or make the box stationary. It’s still a great idea if you want to keep your succulent garden up off the ground for whatever reason. Adding a few other broad leaved plants just adds to the overall beauty of this little mini garden.

Source/Tutorial: ecoosfera.com

11. Succulent Dish Garden

If you’re planning a garden for indoors, this dish garden is the perfect choice. You can also use it outdoors, just add more dishes. I think a saucer on top of a candlestick or something similar would give you a lovely Florentine look and you can add other succulents around your centerpiece. Or, if you want something really huge, incorporate this into an actual birdbath and use these little dish gardens around it.

Source/Tutorial:homedepot.com

12. Rack Against The Wall

If you have an old pallet, you can easily turn that into a wonderful standing succulent garden. You just simply lean it up against the wall and use it for holding small plant containers. How very easy! Add succulents of all different sizes and colors to get a really colorful look. This one doesn’t require any work except for standing up the pallet and deciding where to place your succulents. If you want to though, you could affix it to the wall so that it’s more stable.

Source/Tutorial: upcyclethat.com

13. Desert Spheres

Your garden will look beautiful with these succulent balls hanging all around. You’ll need peat moss to hold the plants and you’ll have to create the ball. You can use any number of things to make a sphere. Wire hanging baskets and strong chains or wire for hanging give you all you need to decorate fences, patios, or just about anywhere. I love how versatile this one is – you can literally hang them anywhere and you can stuff so many succulents into one sphere – use different colors throughout to give it a great rainbow effect.

Source/Tutorial: drought-smart-plants

14. Succulent Fishing Tackle Box

How adorable is this? Whether you use a new tackle box or an old rusted one that isn’t much use for fishing any longer, this succulent fishing tackle box is the perfect way to create a mini succulent garden on the patio or porch. I personally think the rusted look is the way to go. If you don’t have an old tackle box, you can probably pick one up at a yard sale or flea market for just a couple dollars. Set it atop an old rusted chair or stool and fill with all the succulents it will hold!

Source/Tutorial: empressofdirt

15. Beautiful Seascape Succulent Planter

Even if you don’t live near the beach, this gorgeous seascape succulent planter will make you feel as if you do. The planter is covered in seashells, which perfectly contrast the beautiful coloring of the succulents. You just cover your terra cotta pots with seashells, hot gluing them in so that they stay in place. I love this idea – especially since visiting the beach is my favorite pastime. If you don’t have seashells, you can get them the next time you visit the beach or buy them at your local craft store.

Source/Tutorial: billabong

16. Regal Pathways

The colors in this make it really stand out. You use succulents to create different pathways, each made of a single stream of color. It gives the illusion of a river winding right through your yard. You can do this with any number of different colors and sizes of succulents. The overall effect is gorgeous and so unique – your neighbors are sure to be filled with jealousy when they see what you’ve done.

Source/Tutorial: coupdepouce

17. Monogrammed Succulent Planters

Monogrammed letters are the perfect way to show off those succulents. I found this particular planter on Etsy, but you could easily recreate it. Spell out words of love or encouragement or just use your family’s monogram. However you end up doing it, you’re going to love adding your succulents to these beautiful wooden letters. This is where those old pallets would come in handy. Just take them apart to have the wood you need to create your monogram.

Source/Tutorial: etsy.com

18. Broken Pottery Garden

Instead of throwing out that old broken pottery, use it to help create an enchanting succulent garden. Broken terra cotta planters provide a beautiful backdrop to colorful succulents and give you such a unique design. You can add embellishments to turn this into a mini fairy garden as well, and fill it in with many different colors of succulents. Add some blooming plants and even a miniature castle and your enchanted garden is complete.

19. Tree Stump Garden

Whether you’re looking to create a mini fairy garden or you just want to showcase your succulents, an old tree trunk is perfect. I am a huge fan of using old tree trunks for flower beds – around them and in them. You’ll just need to hollow out the center a bit so that you can add cactus soil for the plants. Then fill with a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. This is a great way to avoid having to remove that trunk and leave a huge hole in your yard, and it gives you a beautiful display for those succulents.

Source/Tutorial: myrepurposedlife

20. Create A Mosaic

Wherever you plant your succulent garden, if you’re looking for a unique way to display your plants, consider creating a mosaic. I absolutely love the colors in this one – the reds and greens really bring out the best in each other and the way it’s arranged, it truly looks like a work of art. You can do this with any colors you want and use a variety of different styles and sizes, as well. The overall effect is gorgeous and not something that you’re likely to see anywhere else.

21. Path Of The Chameleon

Okay, this may be the most adorable succulent garden I have ever seen. It’s laid out to look like a lizard. Now, I don’t like lizards per se, but I do think this is probably the greatest gardening design ever. You’ll need a collection of different sizes and you’ll want to draw out the pattern before you begin planting, just to make sure you stick with the image. It’s not nearly as difficult as it looks and you can just imagine what a conversation starter it will be.

22. Old Wagon Wheel Planter

This old wagon wheel turned succulent planter is great. Wagon wheels are pretty big, so this one gives you loads of room to plant quite a variety of succulents. Also, you have different sections between the spokes, so you could totally create a unique design that is all your own. If you use smaller succulents, you’ll be able to get several in each section – or you could plant larger ones in every other section and fill in between with smaller plants. The possibilities are endless!

Source/Tutorial: smartschoolhouse

23. Purple Pavement Succulents

concrete corner into a true work of art. Use these lovely purple succulents to fill in the crack between your sidewalk and your house or porch. The cascading effect is really beautiful and you can plant this so that it cascades into a larger succulent garden, which would really be gorgeous.

Source/Tutorial: diyfairygardens.com

24. PVC Pipe Succulent Garden Planter

An old piece of large PVC pipe can be easily turned into this amazing vertical planter. You just cut out holes where you want plants to show through and then find a place to stand it up. I love how easy this one is and it looks so elegant. You can get PVC pipe at most home improvement stores if you don’t have some on hand. Use the same colors to get an elegant and classic look or opt for different colors and types for a more creative and unique garden.

Source/Tutorial: flickr.com

25. Handy Succulent Planter

This hand succulent planter is great – you make it yourself, too! You just need concrete and a pair of gloves. I never knew you could make these and they’re great for adding a unique effect to your succulent or any other garden. Once they’re finished, just set them in the middle of your succulents and use the palms to hold smaller or more colorful varieties. The planter will instantly give your garden depth and is such a wonderful conversation piece – especially when you tell people that you made it yourself.

Source/Tutorial: diyfunideas

26. Framed Heirlooms

If you want something really different, and especially if you have little gardening space for your succulents, this window frame planter is great. If you have an empty wall space outside or even the side of a fence, you can just stand the window up and add your plants. You can pick one of these old windows up at most junk dealers or at yard sales and they’re really cheap. Just clean up the frame and line each section with peat moss. Then just add your succulents and you’re ready for a gorgeous display.

27. Individual Pots To Create A Larger Garden

Use individual containers for your succulents and then arrange them all together for a larger garden. You can use containers of any shape or size, and paint them all the same color or different colors depending on how colorful you want the garden to be. This is a great idea for adding depth to your existing garden. Just place these containers strategically throughout your garden to raise some of the succulents up a bit. Or, use the containers to make a centerpiece for the patio table or to place succulents in regular flower beds.

Source/Tutorial: plentyofcolour

28. Spilling Over

Tip your larger planters over on their side to give your garden an aesthetic effect. Instead of having all your planters perfectly straight, just topple them over and then plant succulents so that they look like they’re spilling out. You can use this method to add a bit of interest to smaller succulent gardens on the sides of steps or to quickly draw the eye to succulents that you plant in your regular flower beds. This is also a great way to use planters that may be broken or damaged on one side.

29. Wishing Well Garden

Create a mini fairy garden for your succulents with just a few things that you can pick up at your favorite craft or hobby store. A tiny wishing well and a few strategically placed pieces of furniture give you a wonderful fairy garden that you can complete with different sizes and colors of succulents. You can even add a tiny fairy or some small wildlife to finish off the project. This one is great for those with small spaces or if you just want to add some whimsy to your flower garden.

Source/Tutorial: succulentsandsunshine

30. Faux Mount Rushmore Garden

Okay, so this succulent garden may be the most creative. It’s your own little Mount Rushmore, made complete with lovely succulents of all sizes and colors. You can do these in any likeness that you want. If you have an otherwise flat garden, this will definitely give it depth, and in the most creative way possible. It’s sure to turn heads – no pun intended – and be a conversation starter like no other. Just use old concrete, or even plastic, busts and the succulents become the hair. This is such a wonderful way to bring some real creativity into your succulent garden.

Source/Tutorial: instructables.com