Designer piece instead of simple furniture - we explain how to conjure up an amazing eye-catcher out of a normal table and a few succulents.

DIY instructions for a succulent table [music: www.bensound.com]

Succulents are extremely popular as pretty and easy-care indoor plants and are also suitable as pretty decorations for people without a green thumb. And the typical small table from the Swedish furniture store can also be found in many apartments. But both succulents and the small piece of furniture are not eye-catchers in themselves, but appear uncreative and boring. However, things look different when you combine the two: A self-made succulent table not only puts an end to boring flower pots, but also transforms your piece of furniture into an unmistakable design object that makes every apartment shine.

DIY instructions for a succulent table

You don't always have to pay a lot for unusual pieces of furniture: With a little talent for craftsmanship, you can make unmistakable unique pieces even from the widespread Ikea furniture.

You need that for this

It doesn't take much to turn a normal coffee table into a beautiful eye-catcher.

You don't need a lot of materials for this craft idea

In fact you only need:

  • A small table (e.g. the "LACK" model from Ikea)
  • Measure Tape
  • Tape
  • Pen and Cutter
  • Plastic wrap
  • Plant Clay
  • Cactus soil
  • Succulents

Make a succulent table: That's how it works

If you are tired of a boring coffee table and instead dream of an individual succulent table, you can quickly turn this idea into reality. In fact, it only takes a few steps and a bit of craftsmanship to create a green succulent table.

First you have to make a hole in the upper part of the table

First of all, the future planting area for the succulents must be drawn. In order to get the most accurate template possible, it is advisable to work with a measuring tape. We chose a planting holewith a length of 30 centimeters and a width of 23 centimeters, as these dimensions leave enough space for staging the plant as well as a sufficiently wide edge (e.g. for placing glasses). Of course, the shape and size of the later succulent bed can be individually adjusted, so smaller planting areas are just as possible as imaginative shapes.

After drawing, the space for the succulents must be cut out. To ensure that the cuts are particularly straight and precise, you can lay out the measuring tape along the cut and attach it with adhesive tape. The line can be cut straight with a cutter knife like on a ruler. When all four sides of the pre-drawn square have been cut out, you can carefully lift the cut-out table top with the blade of the cutter and carefully remove it. Underneath, a honeycomb-shaped cardboard appears: In this layer, too, you run the cutter knife along the sides and remove the cardboard from the table as neatly as possible.

A drainage layer under the ground ensures good water drainage

Insert a foil into the resulting hole. This is particularly important for the succulent table, as otherwise it would swell after a few weeks due to the moisture in the irrigation water and ultimately be destroyed. Therefore, it is extremely important that when lining, care is taken that the foil has no holes or tears and that all parts of the resulting hole are covered. If you want to be on the safe side, you can use a small tub or bowl instead of foil.

Planting succulents correctly

After the space for the plants on the table has been prepared, you can start preparing for the repotting of the succulents. First the hole in the table is filled with plant clay. This improves the drainage properties of the later substrate and thus ensures that the risk of waterlogging is reduced. This drainage layer is particularly important when planting a succulent table, because there are no drainage holes through which excess water could run. Then the hole is filled up about halfway with cactus soil. In contrast to normal potting soil, this is better suited for cultivating succulents as it is better adapted to their soil and nutrient requirements and thus offers them a more optimal environment for growing.

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Now the individual succulents can be carefully removed from their old potswill. The old soil that sticks to the root ball of the plant is carefully removed, but the fine roots of the plants should under no circumstances be damaged. The plants freed from their pots can now be arranged in their new home - once the right arrangement has been found, the remaining gaps are filled with cactus soil and this is lightly pressed. Excess soil on the table can only be gently removed from the edge by hand or with a damp cloth.

When planting, you have to pay particular attention to the fine roots

How to properly care for your succulents

Once the succulent table is complete, proper care of the plants is particularly important as repotting is a heavy burden on them. In the first week, the plants should therefore not come into contact with direct sunlight, as this puts additional stress on the plants. Also, succulents should not be watered until a week after repotting to relieve the weakened roots. Once the first few weeks have been successfully completed, the succulents prove impressively why they are so popular: if you offer them a bright, sunny place, the robust plants hardly need any care. In fact, excessive watering can even damage the plants, which is why you should always make sure that the plant substrate is completely dry before each new watering. The easy-care succulents hardly need any fertilizer - depending on the species, they can even thrive without any additional nutrients.

Succulents love brightness and therefore need a location with lots of light. If the plants are in a place that is too dark, they will wither or so-called “horny shoots” will occur. This means that the succulent forms long and very thin shoots in order to receive as much light as possible. A location directly by the window or in a light-flooded conservatory is ideal. If it is not possible to find a place with enough light for the succulent table, then a special plant lamp can be set up for additional light.

The succulent table should definitely be in its place with lots of light

A location with lots of light is essential, even in winter. It is also advantageous if the succulent is in a cool place. For example, stairwells, unheated conservatories or bright places in the basement are ideal for wintering. It is also possible to hibernate at normal room temperature, but it is important to ensure thatsufficient distance to heat sources such as heaters is maintained. Otherwise the succulents could dry out. It is particularly important that watering is limited in winter. Although the root balls should never dry out completely, the soil should not remain moist for a long period of time either. In general, the cooler the location of the plant, the less water the succulent needs.

You can find more info on this topic in our article on caring for succulents.

Many thanks to Floragard for the support!

Category:

Houseplants