Indoor succulents are common, but did you know that you could also plant succulent gardens outside in your front door? That’s right; succulents aren’t only meant to be small plants in pots on a windowsill. Many people these days are choosing succulent gardens for their front yard over grass or other garden options because of their easy maintenance and beautiful outcomes.
Pick A Theme
Sure, you’ve decided you wanted to create an outdoor succulent garden, but don’t forget that there are enough succulents to choose a theme too.
Here are some ideas to get you thinking about what you want your garden to look like:
- Ocean-themed succulents
- Colorful succulents
- Desert succulents that include tons of cacti
- Rock-shaped succulents
Explore What You Like
The Internet has no lack of ideas these days.
With how popular succulents are, you will find front yard succulent garden ideas on websites like Google, Pinterest, and Facebook groups.
People who might be more creative than you will have numerous ideas and tips for your to take for your own garden.
Seeing what others have done can:
- Help you choose what you like
- Teach you how to care for succulents outdoors
- Show you what succulent varieties look best
- Guide you to the best places to find succulents, especially with rarer varieties of succulents
Choose A Succulent That Will Be The Focal Point
No matter the size of your space, a focal point will bring everything together.
Most people assume that succulents are small, but there are certain succulent varieties that are large and can be a focal point in your garden. Here are just a few options to consider:
- Yucca
- Golden Ball Cacti
- Aloe Vera
- Agave
Some succulents even grow to be more tree-like in presentation, so you can even add a “tree” to your garden as the focal point.
Mix And Match Succulents
Variety is one thing that succulents do not lack.
Don’t be afraid to mix and match different kinds of succulents. Unlike flowers, most succulents grow under the same growing conditions when it comes to light and water, so you can add variety to your garden without creating more work.
Do your research and become familiar with what kind of succulents you can find. Ask yourself questions like:
- What colors do I want?
- What size succulents will fit?
- Do I want succulents that flower?
- Do I want all the sizes to be similar?
Don’t Fear Color
A common misconception with succulents is that they are all green. That is not the case once you start researching.
You do not need to give up color just because you want a succulent.
You can find succulents in all different kinds of colors – and not just the standard colors you might assume.
Some succulents can come in shades of blue, red, purple, and a number of other colors!
Pick Plants That Fix Your Climate
Searching pictures can be a lot of fun, but don’t forget that your garden is going to be outside, which means your climate is going be a factor.
Few succulents are hardy against the cold. Some also can’t tolerate chilly temperatures, even if the temperatures stay above freezing.
You can:
- Choose plants that tolerate your climate year round
- Cover your succulents in the garden through the winter
- Bring plants indoors once temperatures get colder
Consider Sunlight And Shade Needs
In the earliest stages of planning, think about what kind of sunlight and shade your succulents need.
Most succulents will do well in full sunlight with some shade throughout the day. To accommodate your succulents, you can:
- Plant your succulents in an area where they get some shade
- Use an object to create shade in the garden, like an umbrella
- Use other plants – like trees or other large succulents – that will offer shade to smaller succulents
Map Out Your Succulent Garden First
I wouldn’t recommend heading outside and planting your garden without a plan in place.
Planting and replanting succulents will cause unnecessary stress on the succulents, which are already relatively fragile.
You will want to know what succulents you are planting where, at least generally speaking, before you break down.
You can use pictures online to decide what you want to do or map it out physically to get an idea of where everything is going to be planted.
Don’t Forget About Soil Choice
Most succulents need well-draining soil in order to stay healthy and prevent root rot from pooling water.
I would not recommend simply using the dirt that is already in your yard when you plant your succulents. Instead, you will want to till your soil and add in some sand to create the perfect soil.
If you are dedicated to your garden, then you will want to replace all the soil with one made specifically for succulents.
Use Rocks And Stones
A succulent garden isn’t all about the plants – rocks and stones will be helpful for your garden as well.
Rocks and stones of different sizes will, of course, add some visual interest to your garden.
The best reason to use rocks and stones, however, is to help with drainage, especially during rain. It will help the water move along the plants and don’t flood or drown your succulents.
Utilize Groundcover
Some succulent varieties provide ample groundcover, so do not overlook succulents that grow wide rather than tall.
Not only will these succulents give your garden variety, they will also help with shade and soil protection.
Succulents that cover the ground can also help in areas that might feel bare because trailing succulents will take up more space.
Plant Succulents In Different Objects
Don’t be afraid to use different objects in your succulent garden.
Objects in your garden can be used as planters to add different height and variety to your garden:
- Pots and planters (that will also help with indoor transportation in the winter)
- Wooden barrels
- Logs with open spaces for soil and succulents
- Statues with holes
- Anything else that fits your style and vision
