Growing succulent plants: 6 materials for pots and ideas for their use

When growing succulents, you don't need to have great gardening skills. The only thing that is essential is to pay attention to the drainage of water: these plants do not like stagnant water or humidity and these conditions must be avoided. For this reason, and for their great resistance to heat and cold, succulents are very popular.

There are many materials that we can use in the pots containing succulent plants, each of which has different drainage properties; below are 6 compositions of succulent plants with some advice for their optimal cultivation.

1. Succulent plants in wooden logs

Have you pruned your trees and obtained beautiful, big logs as a result? Or have you cut down a tree and don't know what to do with the trunk? Making a pot from an old branch, log or trunk is the perfect idea for growing succulent plants: wood is a material that retains moisture very well and, when it is hot, this property helps the plants to stay fresh and healthy.

2. Glass jars

Not just for jams and preserves: empty glass jars can be easily recycled as flower pots too! Decorated with string or raffia and filled with soil, they become the ideal container for our succulent plants. The advantage of glass is that, being a breathable material, the jars do not require drainage holes and only require irrigation when the soil is dry. They are also wonderful as gifts!

3. Tin cans

Tin cans can also be recycled as planters. In this case you can also decorate them with string or raffia or repaint/clad them with colored and decorated papers. Or you can leave them as they are. Fill them with potting soil and they will be ready to contain your favorite succulents. Pay attention to this material for its ease of oxidation and sensitivity to high temperatures, which would also heat up the soil. The plants should be watered a little at a time, and only when the soil is dry. Additionally, the tin pots should be kept away from direct sunlight.

4. Porcelain jars

Ceramic pots are a favorite because the material is very breathable and in the sun dries them out very quickly. Another very good reason for choosing them, however, is the infinite number of types that can be found in shops. They come in all shapes and colors and you can go mad in your choices.

5. Terracotta vases

Terracotta is the cheapest material with the best water absorption and is therefore a favorite choice for flowerpots. Also in this case you can let your creativity flow in making various compositions. They are ideal for creating beautiful flower beds in the garden.

6. Plastic pots

Plastic has the great advantage of being cheap and light, but at the same time, it is also very fragile and, when exposed to the sun and rain, it can get damaged quickly. However, plastic also offers numerous possibilities in terms of composition: you can  color them as you wish, or source them from multiple places (detergent bottles, for example).

Which material do you prefer for your succulents' pots?