A Succulent Dish Garden

Materials

Ceramic dish with a drainage hole (shallow pots are recommended, and the drainage hole is essential)

Roll of drywall tape

Potting soil for succulents and cactuses An assortment of succulents, perhaps including cactuses

Chopsticks or skewers

Top dressing (usually a light-colored gravel)

Directions

Cover the drainage hole with a piece of drywall tape, which will keep the soil from spilling out, but let excess water drain.

Fill the dish about two-thirds full of potting soil.

Remove plants from their plastic pots and gently remove any soil that clings to the roots and plants.

Arrange the plants, keeping in mind the design elements of fillers, spillers and thrillers. You want some things in the foreground, the middle and the background that are focal points. Taller plants (thrillers) often go in the back, while plants that might grow or drape over the side of the pot (spillers) go in the front. Fillers go in the center and to fill in bare spots. Use your chopsticks to help in placing the plants just so.

Once you're happy with the design, fill the rest of the pot with soil, leaving space for the top dressing, and tamp down the plants so they are securely in place. Add the top dressing, which will help keep the soil from drying out and provide a nice contrast for your plants.

Add a holiday ornament, if you like, which can be changed out to reflect the season or holiday.

Water well and place near a window that gets lots of light or in your yard.