Bringing Outdoors In

I am in love with succulents and you should be too! Today's project: The indoor low maintenance garden. I just finished an example of this for my dining room. While on my Gypsy travels, I am always looking for interesting things to serve as containers for unusual planters. I found a pair of old rusty farm conveyor grain cups for $4 each at a local re-sale shop. Here are my tips for making you own piece of green in your home:
1. Use anything! if it has spaces that are at least an inch deep you can plant succulents in them. Be creative, anything from a coffee cup to an old boot will work! My favorite to plant is Hens and Chickens and mini cacti. You can buy them for only a couple bucks apiece or transplant them from your garden or the garden of a friend.
2. If your container is rusty or has a flaking finish (mine usually are) make sure you spray a clear coat of spray paint on all the surfaces and let dry before you plant. This will preserve the grungy finish but will keep rust off your floors and walls.
3. Use cacti potting soil. I picked up a bag at our local Home Depot for $4 and it has enough soil for several projects. Put a thin layer of gravel or pebbles at the bottom of the container then fill 3/4 of the way with the cacti soil.
4. Transplant you plants in the the containers then add a bit more soil to fill to the top, press gently with your fingers to make sure the plants are seated (most succulents will root themselves as long as you have a decent shoot to place in the soil. They will seat themselves as long as they have dirt or rocks to grab onto)
5. Water, then hang. Succulents are famous for their low-maintenance lifestyle. You only need to water them occasionally when they are really dried out. I am wanted in 3 states for murdering houseplants, but even I can keep succulents alive.
The more interesting the container, the better the end result. Get ready for compliments and jealousy from friends and family...enjoy!