Last Updated on May 23, 2025 by Team Ideas24
Growing tired of a lifeless interior? Or maybe your room feels like a blank canvas ready for a dash of color. The best indoor plants can add an excellent point of interest to a room. They are organic, clean, and sometimes even sculptural. Plants delight us with their unpredictable but calming, steady presence.
Want a green decor idea that will surely look stunning in your garden? This easy project with succulents is one of our favorites!
You can hang it to give life to an empty, lonely corner. Or you can also make a very large version and make it “stand” to decorate a part of your garden.
A succulent ball will look great indoors, too, especially for small spaces such as apartments that need some living decorations.
See the different versions of this beautiful project and be inspired to make your own!
Does your home need a small or a large succulent ball? :)
Contents
Crafting Succulent Balls
You’ll need these materials:
- 2 – Wire Hanging Baskets
- Strong Wire or Chains
- Succulents (such as Sempervivum chicks)
- Potting Soil (Sunshine mix #4)
- Smaller Wire (for tying the two baskets)
- Plywood
- Toothpick
And this tool:
- Wire Cutter
Step 1: Prepare the Work Surface
Lay a piece of plywood on your work area to catch loose soil and make cleanup easier. It also gives you a flat, stable surface for assembling your succulent ball.
Step 2: Fill the Baskets with Soil
Place both wire hanging baskets on the plywood, open side facing up. Fill each basket with Sunshine Mix #4 potting soil. Gently press down the soil to make it compact, but not overly tight.
Step 3: Join the Baskets Together
Once both baskets are full, flip one over and position it on top of the other to form a sphere. Use smaller wire to tie the edges of the baskets together. Loop and twist the wire through the basket grids at multiple points to ensure the two halves stay firmly closed.
Step 4: Add Hanging Support
Attach strong wire or chains to the top of the sphere. These will serve as the hanging mechanism. Secure them well so the succulent ball hangs evenly and won’t tilt. If you prefer a standing display, you can skip this and instead set the sphere on a plant stand.
Step 5: Mark the Planting Spots
Use a toothpick to poke holes through the outer grid of the wire basket and into the soil beneath. These marks will guide where your succulents will go. Space them out evenly for a balanced look.
Step 6: Insert the Succulents
Take your Sempervivum chicks or other succulents and gently insert their roots into the holes you’ve made. You can use the toothpick again to help press the soil around the roots, securing each plant into place. Start from the top and work your way around the ball, rotating it as you go.
Step 7: Secure Loose Plants
If any of the succulents feel loose or unstable, use short pieces of wire to anchor them to the basket. Twist the wire gently around a section of the plant and loop it through the basket grid to hold it in place.
Step 8: Final Check and Clean Up
Inspect the ball for empty spots or uneven distribution. Add extra soil through the basket holes if any areas seem sunken. Trim stray roots or leaves and gently shake off excess soil from the succulents.
Step 9: Let It Settle
Lay the ball on the plywood or a towel in a shaded spot for a couple of days. This gives the plants time to adjust and settle before hanging or displaying the ball.
Step 10: Display Your Succulent Ball
Once the plants are secure and happy, hang your succulent ball from a hook or tree branch. You can also place it on a decorative stand or in a shallow garden bowl as a focal point.
Choosing the Right Succulents for Your Ball
Creating beautiful succulent balls starts with picking the right plants. Not every succulent will thrive in a vertical or hanging position. The best choices are those that root quickly, tolerate less soil, and can handle a bit of movement as the ball is watered and displayed. These varieties should also complement each other in size, texture, and color to create an eye-catching living sculpture.
Low-Maintenance Varieties
For beginners or those who want an easy-care display, select hardy, low-maintenance succulents. Sempervivum (also known as hens and chicks) are perfect for succulent balls. They’re small, grow in tight rosettes, and tolerate varying light conditions.
Sedum is another excellent choice. It comes in trailing varieties that will naturally cascade from the ball and fill in gaps over time. These plants are forgiving and won’t mind if you miss a watering.
Small and Compact Growth Habits
Choose succulents that won’t grow too large or heavy. Rosette-forming types like Echeveria or Graptopetalum stay relatively compact and work well in tight spaces. Their symmetrical shape adds texture and form to the arrangement. Smaller Crassula varieties also hold their shape and don’t stretch easily, making them ideal for the curves of a round structure.
Fast Rooting for Secure Placement
Because succulent balls are built with gravity working against you, fast-rooting plants are a must. Look for succulents known for easy propagation and root development.
When inserted into the ball, these types will anchor themselves quickly and minimize the risk of plants falling out. Cuttings from Sedum or Echeveria often root within a week and begin growing almost immediately.
Color and Texture Combinations
A good succulent ball balances different shades of green, purple, blue, or even pink. Consider mixing textures—use fuzzy-leaved Kalanchoe tomentosa with glossy Portulaca or matte Sedum. Adding contrasting leaf shapes creates visual interest. Don’t go overboard, though. Too many varieties can make the design look chaotic. Stick to three to five types for a cohesive effect.
Light and Climate Compatibility
Match your plant selection to where you’ll place the succulent ball. If it’s going outside in full sun, go for sun-loving varieties like Sempervivum and Sedum. For indoor use or shaded gardens, lean toward shade-tolerant succulents like Haworthia or Gasteria. This ensures long-term health and prevents issues like sunburn or etiolation, where plants stretch due to lack of light.
Avoid Fragile or Tall Varieties
Stay away from succulents with brittle stems or heavy flower stalks. Tall varieties can topple the balance and disrupt the shape of your ball. Plants like Aloe or Aeonium often grow too upright or large for the structure. Focus on species that naturally stay low and dense.
Selecting the right mix of plants is what brings the entire project to life. The best succulent balls not only survive but thrive when built with compatible, durable, and visually harmonious succulents. Making smart choices in the beginning ensures your green display stays beautiful for months or even years.
Succulent Balls Gallery
Click on any image to start the lightbox display. Use your Esc key to close the lightbox.
Seasonal Display Ideas for Succulent Balls
Succulent balls are more than just decorative plant sculptures. With a bit of planning, you can turn them into striking seasonal displays that evolve throughout the year. Whether you’re dressing up your patio for summer or adding festive flair to your living room during the holidays, these living arrangements offer a versatile way to reflect the season’s character while keeping your greenery fresh and vibrant.
Spring: A Burst of Renewal
Spring is the perfect time to refresh your succulent balls with pastel hues and soft textures. Add rosettes in shades of mint, lavender, and blush pink—Echeveria and Graptopetalum varieties often come in these tones. You can also tuck in miniature faux flower picks or small plastic eggs to celebrate Easter.
Display them near a sunny window or on a sheltered porch where new growth can thrive. Spring is also a good season to replant any faded or frost-damaged succulents from the colder months.
Summer: Bright and Bold Accents
In summer, your succulent balls can take center stage in the garden. Use vibrant succulents like red-tipped Sedum, lime-green Crassula, or golden stonecrop to make the arrangement pop in the bright light.
Add a few seashells, starfish charms, or even solar-powered fairy lights to bring a touch of summer fun. Hang the ball from a pergola or shepherd’s hook where it can catch the breeze. Just make sure it doesn’t get too much direct sun, especially in extremely hot climates, as the soil inside can dry out quickly.
Autumn: Rich Tones and Natural Texture
Fall calls for deep colors and earthy textures. Succulent balls in autumn look great with warm reds, oranges, and burgundy-toned plants like Sedum ‘Firestorm’ or Aeonium ‘Zwartkop.’ You can also press in tiny faux pumpkins, acorns, or cinnamon sticks between the succulents.
If you want to go more rustic, wrap the chain or base with twine or raffia for an added harvest vibe. Placed on a wooden table or hung against a neutral-colored wall, they fit seamlessly into seasonal decor.
Winter: Festive Touches and Evergreens
Winter might seem like an off-season for succulent displays, but it’s actually a great time to get creative. Use frost-hardy succulents like Sempervivum that can handle colder temperatures if you’re placing the ball outdoors.
For indoor displays, work in miniature ornaments, pinecones, or red berry picks to give the succulent ball a holiday look. A little faux snow spray around the base can add a winter wonderland effect without harming the plants. Place the ball near the fireplace or use it as a centerpiece on your holiday table.
Tips for Changing Displays Seasonally
Use removable decorative elements that won’t damage your plants. Picks, clips, and lightweight ornaments are perfect. Swap out seasonal touches every few months without disturbing the root system or pulling out healthy succulents. Succulent balls adapt well to new looks, so keep experimenting with themes and textures.
These seasonal transformations help you enjoy your succulent balls all year round. Whether it’s spring freshness or winter cheer, they bring a living element to your seasonal decorating plans
Conclusion
Creating succulent balls is a rewarding way to blend art and gardening. With the right materials and plant choices, they can thrive indoors or outdoors. Their versatility allows you to refresh them with seasonal themes or color palettes. Whether you hang them or let them rest on a stand, they make any space feel more alive. These living decorations are simple to maintain and always make a stunning impression.
We have more natural ways of adding color to your home. Check out our pallet planter box guide for cascading flowers.
