How to Pick Succulents for Special Pots

You know you've created an effective plant-pot pairing if every time you look at it, it delights you. Ideally, it exceeds the sum of its parts. But how to make that happen? You're about to find out: Succulent plant-pot pairing---an art form in itself---is the topic of my latest video. In it you'll learn basic design principles that people tend to find pleasing, and that professional designers use routinely.

I learned to identify and describe these early in my career as a garden writer on assignment for Sunset and Better Homes & Gardens publications. In published articles and later in my books on succulents, I explained what made certain gardens or plant combos "work," and how readers could achieve something similar.

If you don’t have much space (who does?), pairing succulents with art pots is a great way to display both, lend sophistication to outdoor living spaces, and eliminate clutter.

Key design factors

This pairing does everything right: Green leaves of Aloe castilloniae contrast with rust-red in the glaze (the complementary color). Reddish-brown dashes on leaves contrast texturally with the pot's smooth surface while repeating its speckles (as does the crushed rock topdressing). As for scale and proportion, plant and pot fit each other perfectly.

Plant Pairing at Oasis

Orange County ceramic artist Pat Roach and I met several years ago as a result of our mutual interest in succulents and our enjoyment in pairing them with one-of-a-kind, artist-designed pots.

Pat Roach of @potterybypatrice evaluates golden sedum at Oasis. See her collection of rare and unusual succulents and the pots she created for them on her Instagram page. There Pat also posts events at which she'll be selling.

 

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