Make Succulent Doorstep Baskets

Succulent doorstep baskets are a great way to say "I'm thinking of you! Happy spring!" to neighbors, friends and nearby loved ones. These gift baskets delight all who see them. And by showing recipients they're cherished, you both feel connected, which is so important during uncertain times.

Cuttings work well, but if you prefer plants, nurseries near you may be open (call first). Or shop for succulents online. Check this site for reader recommendations; one highly rated mail-order source is Mountain Crest Gardens.

The gift baskets shown here are by me or by designers whose work I admire. Links take you to helpful pages on this site or videos on my YouTube channel. Find additional ideas in the gallery below, and in my books, Pinterest boards and this site's Container Gardens page.

Succulent Gift Basket DIY

Materials:

• Basket, pot or container
• Succulent cuttings or nursery plants
• Potting soil
• Heavy plastic for lining (optional)
• Dry moss (optional)
• Ribbon (optional)

Method:

A basket may deteriorate from prolonged exposure to moisture, so line it with heavy mil plastic (i.e. a trash bag; see how to do it). Poke a few holes for drainage, or advise the recipient to water it infrequently, only enough to moisten the soil. Fill the container with potting soil and insert cuttings for a lush look. If using nursery succulents, plant them as you would in any container, or simply tuck them---still in their pots---into the basket. Use dry moss to conceal pot rims and gaps. A ribbon or bow adds a nice touch and says, "this is a gift."

Echeveria basket

Watch how this lovely basket came together in my video: How to Plant a Succulent Gift Basket with Echeverias (3:29).

Use a repurposed container

Planted watering can

A brightly painted watering can makes a delightful container for a casual arrangement of sedum, graptopetalums, echeverias, an aloe, aeoniums and purple tradescantia. Design by Megan Boone for Serra Gardens nursery.

Make a cactus basket

Cactus basket

Many small, chubby cacti bloom for several weeks in spring. These mammillarias are still in their nursery pots. The arrangement needs sun in order for the flowers to open.

Perfect your design skills!

Take my "Stunning Succulent Arrangements" class

A floral-style arrangement of succulents in a repurposed berry bowl is among the projects in my online class, Stunning Succulent Arrangements. Plants include trailing rosary vine, echeverias and sedum.

My "Stunning Succulent Arrangements" class is a professionally produced, online seminar from BluPrint, a leading source of virtual DIY classes. In seven informative hand's-on sessions, I cover succulent basics, and show how to make a color wheel succulent container, a floral-style arrangement, a special-occasion bouquet, terrariums, wreaths, and a low-light composition for shade or indoors.