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    Home » Garden » Containers

    DIY Succulent Candle Centerpiece

    By: Jane · Updated: 18 Jan, '16 · This post may contain affiliate links · 42 Comments

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    Today I'm sharing this succulent candle centerpiece that I made a couple of years ago. It's a perfect project for bringing a little green and light into your home during these winter months, and will easily transfer to your outdoor living spaces when it warms up again. 

    Easy to make succulent candle centerpiece
    A variety of succulents

    To make this project, you will need a variety of small succulents. I got lucky and found these on sale at Lowe's. 

    Succulents growing in a planter

    And I also had some growing in a planter that needed to be transplanted. See the little "babies" in there? If you can find someone who already has some succulents growing, they will be glad to share some of those babies with you!  My sister-in-law Jean is always sharing some with me. 

    Terracotta saucer

    After you have gathered a variety of succulents, you will need a large terracotta saucer. The one I used had a diameter of 12 inches, and I promptly painted it aqua, one of my favorite colors. 

    Plastic tray with feet

    When I was purchasing my saucer, I picked up one of these plastic trays that has some little feet on it that  goes underneath the saucer to protect the surface where ever you place your centerpiece.

    Glass candle holder

    And you will need a glass candle holder. This is one I've had for years, and I tucked some green moss down inside.

    Soil for succulents

    Place your glass candle holder on top of the terracotta saucer and then fill the rest of the space with soil. I've found that succulents really like this special soil because it drains and dries out easily. 

    Candle centerpiece with succulents planted around it


    The next step is to plant your succulents. You can see how the aqua saucer picks up the pretty color of some of the succulents. 

    Candle and candle centerpiece | cottage at the crossroads

    Try to mix the variety, size, and colors of your succulents as you are planting. 

    Diy succulent candle centerpiece | cottage t the crossroads

    Very gently, water your succulents and then tuck a candle into the holder. 

    Diy succulent candle centerpiece | cottage at the crossroads

    During the winter, it makes a pretty, living centerpiece on your table. The clear, plastic tray underneath it protects your table from any moisture that it produces. However, remove it from the table whenever you water it. Contrary to what a lot of people think, succulents do need to be watered, especially when they are exposed to dry air. The soil needs to be moist but not soggy! 

    Diy succulent candle centerpiece | cottage at the crossroads

    Look how much the succulents grew within six months! You can see that I added some pebbles on top of the soil and down inside the candle holder, and I think that I added and/or replaced a few of the succulents when I was freshening up the centerpiece. 

    Small soil cover pebbles

    I used part of a small bag of these soil cover pebbles, which I think gives the centerpiece a little more polished look. Beside, who really wants to see dirt when they are eating? 

    I used the succulent candle centerpiece for almost a year, but as the succulents grew, they got transplanted into larger pots. I think I'm going to start another one soon! Jean, do you have any more of those babies to spare?

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    1. Debbie

      October 20, 2018 at 10:24 pm

      Love this succulent/candle centerpiece. I just started growing succulents this past June so I will be putting one of these together soon also. Thanks for sharing with instructions. I would love to see more of your projects please share some more with us.
      . .

      Reply
    2. Suzanne

      April 29, 2017 at 10:59 pm

      I just love this succulent garden I love he saucer idea I have some of the plants around my home & saucer, I'm looking forward to making mine &I hope it will turn out as pretty as yours thank you for the idea keep them coming.

      Reply
    3. Sue

      March 12, 2017 at 7:11 am

      Love this! I've never tried to grow succulents, however this has inspired me! Thanks for sharing and giving such great instructions.

      Reply
    4. Maggie walker

      January 16, 2017 at 7:16 am

      I love this going to make one and make it like a fairy garden with fairy lights in the glass maybe .would make a lovely present x

      Reply
    5. Judy

      January 15, 2017 at 8:54 pm

      Such a great idea, very pretty. I have been looking for something to put on my table for winter. Thank you for posting.

      Reply
    6. Geni

      January 14, 2017 at 3:19 pm

      Hi there! I love your project ❤️ But i cant seem to grow suculents i dont knw what im doing wrong. I live in New England so mostly cold. All my suculents die ☹️. I tried indoor and outdoor during summee time but still not successful. Need advice. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        January 15, 2017 at 9:59 am

        Both underwatering and overwatering could be the problem so you have to keep your eye on them. Some of them can tolerate the cold and others cannot so when you try growing some again, be sure to note the kind of succulent you're buying so that you can research the conditions that they need for growing.

        Reply
    7. Fern

      January 14, 2017 at 3:02 pm

      Very creative! Just wondering why you didn't glue down the glass candle holder? When you move the centerpiece indoors to outdoors, doesn't the glass candle holder tilt or wobble or fall? And is this arrangement heavy?

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        January 15, 2017 at 10:01 am

        The centerpiece is not heavy at all so it can be easily moved and because my candle holder has a foot as a base keeps it from moving around. If the candle holder you select to use doesn't have one, then gluing it down with waterproof glue would be a good idea.

        Reply
    8. Stephanie

      January 14, 2017 at 2:35 pm

      What kind of paint did you use? Does it matter?

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        January 14, 2017 at 2:53 pm

        Stephanie, I think I used some acrylic paint that I had left over from another project. It lasted a long time even though the saucer got damp from watering. Eventually, it did start peeling so it may be a good idea to seal the terracotta saucer before painting it.

        Reply
    9. Rhonda Strahler

      January 14, 2017 at 1:46 pm

      I love this!! I love succulents & already have several with babies that need repotted, so this will be great for that. Thank you!!

      Reply
    10. Mary

      January 14, 2017 at 12:35 pm

      Any special type of paint?

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        January 14, 2017 at 2:54 pm

        Mary, I think I used some acrylic paint that I had left over from another project. It lasted a long time even though the saucer got damp from watering. Eventually, it did start peeling so it may be a good idea to seal the terracotta saucer before painting it.

        Reply
    11. Greta

      January 14, 2017 at 10:13 am

      Jane, buenos días,
      Que bello arreglo con esas suculentas, ha quedado muy lindo para lucirlo en un centro de mesa, muchas gracias por compartir todos esos detalles con plantas y que alegran nuestra vida.
      saludos
      Greta

      Reply
    12. Lynette Leplat

      January 14, 2017 at 9:32 am

      One of the prettiest arrangements I've seen. I'm planning one for my patio table for the spring. Can't wait!

      Reply
    13. Marcia

      June 02, 2016 at 7:47 am

      I have started on mine and wondering about drainage. I notice there is not a hole in bottom of terra cotta plate. I read the succulents need good soil drainage.

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        June 05, 2016 at 8:27 pm

        Marcie, just add a layer of those small pebbles in the bottom and that should take care of the drainage. Just be sure not to overwater your succulents, though.

        Reply
    14. Sarah

      May 20, 2016 at 4:36 pm

      Very pretty! A friend is moving and asked me to help rescue the succulents that are growing in her flower bed at the old place, so I'll have a chance to get some freebie babies! WOO HOO!

      Reply
    15. jacqui Korroch

      April 23, 2016 at 10:05 am

      We have just moved into a new home with a 3-season room and while Spring is trying to make itself known, this idea will make it Summery as quickly as I can get it done. It just so happens that I have a great resource for the 'hens and chicks' that I love. It will be gorgeous in the house with some miniature lights around the base of it next Winter. Thank you for the inspiration.

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        April 23, 2016 at 11:43 am

        Enjoy your new home and your succulent centerpiece when you get it made! I have often thought that those tiny fairy lights would look good tucked down inside the glass candle holder. You could even camouflage them with green moss!

        Reply
    16. Barbara Warner

      March 28, 2016 at 10:44 am

      This is gorgeous! I'm making one (or two!) Besides enjoying it myself, this would make a great gift for someone's birthday or even a wedding gift! You came up with a real winner!

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        March 28, 2016 at 4:24 pm

        Yes, they make great gifts. I gave one to my sister-in-law and she loves it.

        Reply
      • Krista

        January 14, 2017 at 9:26 am

        They would be perfect co-worker holiday gifts, too, as they are budget friendly!

        Reply
    17. Malia

      February 12, 2016 at 11:03 am

      This is beautiful. I'm always looking for succulent projects since they seem to be the only plants I can keep alive! xo

      Reply
    18. Mary

      January 19, 2016 at 6:46 am

      Love it

      Reply
    19. Barbara

      January 14, 2016 at 9:19 am

      Love it! Very attractive and would make a beautiful birthday gift. I am going to make one of these to give away at a Relay for Life fundraiser!

      Reply
    20. Gianna

      January 13, 2016 at 1:37 pm

      Vero easy but very beautyful

      Reply
    21. Myra

      January 13, 2016 at 1:12 pm

      Beautiful and very inspiring.

      Reply
    22. Cathy

      January 13, 2016 at 1:05 pm

      It came out beautiful, thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    23. Ruth Swilley

      January 13, 2016 at 12:21 pm

      This is beautiful and I am making it soon. Got more great ideas. Would love to see them all.

      Reply
    24. Cheri Hins

      January 13, 2016 at 8:32 am

      Love this. Thanks for the tip on the soil

      Reply
    25. Caroline

      January 13, 2016 at 7:59 am

      January duldroms .... and the home looks 'empty' after all the bright and colourful Christmas decorations. I think this little project will give my home a lovely bit of colour - and see me through until spring! Thanks for sharing .... lovely idea!

      Reply
    26. Margaret Eaton

      January 13, 2016 at 7:48 am

      Hi. I really like this I have 2 already in the lounge but they do grow quickly in the home so by summer it will be moved outside so I will start with another one for inside keep them coming. Thanks.

      Reply
    27. Pam

      January 13, 2016 at 7:26 am

      Beautiful succulent planter. I would love to make one. Just one question though. How much sunlight do the succulents require?

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        January 13, 2016 at 8:49 am

        Hi Pam, that's a great question. Succulents do need sunlight so keep the centerpiece near a sunny window when you're not using it as a centerpiece. I put mine on our enclosed back porch where there are several windows and the temperatures are not freezing.

        Reply
    28. debbie

      January 12, 2016 at 10:36 pm

      i love this, so pretty

      Reply
    29. Jean Windham

      January 11, 2016 at 5:56 pm

      Well I love this cute succulent planter. I guess I will be making one of them in the bear future. The candle adds a nice touch. Jean

      Reply
    30. Donnamae

      January 11, 2016 at 2:45 pm

      What a great idea! I'll have to make this for sure! 😉

      Reply
    31. Dawn

      January 11, 2016 at 2:01 pm

      Beautiful Jane, I didn't know you could add soil to succulents. All i've ever planted them in is pea stone. Good to know and lucky you to have someone who will divide and give to you!

      Reply
      • Joyce

        April 13, 2016 at 9:43 am

        I just love this. I am going to Lowes right now and start my project. If I can't find the items there , the hunt is on!

        Reply
    32. Debbie

      January 11, 2016 at 11:09 am

      Great idea!!! Love this to add a little garden to my snow covered world.

      Reply

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