Succulents are low-maintenance and full of personality, but showing them off indoors takes a little creativity. I’ve played around with a bunch of fun setups that look great and don’t cost a ton.
From upcycled finds to simple styling tricks, it’s easy to make your succulents stand out. These ideas prove you don’t need fancy pots or designer shelves to get that wow factor.
Let’s give those little plants the spotlight they deserve—on a budget!
1. Teacup Gardens
Transform forgotten teacups into charming miniature gardens. Those chipped cups collecting dust in your cabinet suddenly become perfect homes for tiny succulents, creating instant charm on windowsills or shelves.
No need for drainage holes—just add a layer of small rocks at the bottom before your soil. Mismatched sets from thrift stores work wonderfully, creating an eclectic collection that shows off both vintage finds and your green thumb.
2. Book Planters
Old hardcover books transform into unexpected planters with just a box cutter and some creativity. Hollow out the pages, seal the inside with plastic wrap, and you’ve got a literary home for your favorite succulents.
Stack several book planters of different sizes for a conversation-starting centerpiece. The contrast between the structured book spines and the organic succulent shapes creates visual magic that bookworms and plant lovers alike will appreciate.
3. Hanging Mason Jars
Mason jars suspended from twine create a floating garden effect that maximizes vertical space. Wrap colorful twine around the jar necks several times before knotting for both strength and style.
Group jars at varying heights near a window for a cascading display. The glass allows you to see the beautiful layers of colored sand or pebbles beneath the soil, adding another dimension to your succulent presentation without any extra cost.
4. Wine Cork Planters
Hollow out wine corks to create tiny planters perfect for the smallest succulent varieties or cuttings. A simple drill and some careful scooping creates the perfect miniature pot for baby plants.
Attach magnets to the backs for refrigerator gardens, or glue them to a picture frame for living wall art. Wine lovers can finally display their collection in a functional way that brings together two passions in one eye-catching conversation piece.
5. Driftwood Gardens
Beach-combed driftwood becomes a striking natural planter with minimal effort. The wood’s natural hollows and crevices create perfect pockets for tucking in soil and small succulents.
The weathered gray tones complement the green and purple hues of most succulents beautifully. Simply place your creation on a tray to catch any water, and you’ve got a one-of-a-kind centerpiece that brings organic beach vibes into your home.
6. Tiered Cake Stands
Repurpose that rarely-used tiered cake stand into a stunning succulent display case. Each level becomes its own mini garden, creating visual interest through height variation while taking up minimal counter space.
Mix in small decorative objects like colored stones or tiny figurines between plants. The beauty of this approach lies in how easily you can rearrange your display seasonally or whenever the creative mood strikes, without committing to a permanent planting arrangement.
7. Drawer Gardens
Salvaged wooden drawers create instant charm as unconventional planters. Small dresser drawers, vintage sewing machine drawers, or even desk organizers work perfectly with minimal modification.
Line the inside with plastic to protect the wood, then arrange succulents at different heights. The drawer’s rectangular shape creates a perfect frame for your living arrangement, and the wooden patina adds warmth that plastic pots simply can’t match.
8. Soup Ladle Hangers
Metal soup ladles from thrift stores transform into quirky hanging planters with just a bit of wire. The round bowl shape perfectly cradles small succulents while the handle provides a ready-made hook for hanging.
Group several ladles of different sizes on a wall or from a curtain rod. Spray paint them in coordinating colors before planting for an even more customized look that ties into your existing décor without spending more than a few dollars.
9. Floating Shelves
Simple wooden boards mounted with invisible brackets create minimalist display space for your succulent collection. The plants appear to float against the wall, creating a modern, gallery-like presentation that draws the eye.
Mix succulent containers of varying heights and textures for visual interest. The beauty of floating shelves lies in their adaptability—you can easily rearrange your display or add new plants without committing to a permanent installation like a living wall.
10. Vintage Tin Planters
Colorful vintage tins from cookies, tea, or tobacco become instant succulent homes with zero modifications needed. Their ready-made charm and often beautiful graphics provide character that new containers simply can’t match.
Punch drainage holes in the bottom with a nail and hammer if you’re worried about overwatering. The contrast between the industrial, often nostalgic containers and the natural, organic shapes of succulents creates a visually compelling juxtaposition that draws attention.
11. Picture Frame Gardens
Transform dollar-store frames into living art by attaching chicken wire across the back. The grid creates perfect pockets for tucking small succulents, allowing you to design a living picture that grows more beautiful with time.
Hang your creation flat for the first few weeks until roots establish. Once plants are secure, you can display your living artwork vertically on any wall, bringing dimension and life to spaces that traditional art can’t match.
12. Eggshell Starters
Empty eggshells make perfect biodegradable starter pots for succulent cuttings or tiny plants. Their natural calcium content even provides nutrients as they break down in soil later.
Display a dozen in their original carton for a conversation-starting centerpiece. When plants outgrow their shells, simply crush the bottom gently and plant the whole thing—shell and all—into a larger container for zero-waste gardening that costs absolutely nothing.
13. Ladder Display
An old wooden ladder becomes a multi-tiered plant stand when leaned against a wall. Each rung offers a different display level, creating natural shelving that adds rustic charm to any room corner.
Paint your ladder in a color that complements your décor or leave it weathered for character. The open design ensures plants get plenty of light from all angles while creating a visual statement that transforms an overlooked corner into a design focal point.
14. Hanging Colander Garden
Metal colanders from thrift stores make perfect hanging planters with built-in drainage. Their ready-made holes prevent overwatering while creating interesting light patterns on surfaces below when sunlight shines through.
Line with moss before adding soil to prevent spillage through the holes. The industrial look of metal colanders contrasts beautifully with the organic shapes of succulents, creating an unexpected pairing that draws the eye upward and utilizes often-wasted ceiling space.
15. Seashell Gardens
Large seashells collected from beach trips become natural, one-of-a-kind planters with coastal charm. Their curved interiors create perfect cradles for small succulents and a bit of soil.
Group shells of different sizes and shapes on a tray filled with sand for a beach-inspired display. The organic pairing of shells and plants creates a harmonious arrangement that brings vacation vibes into your home year-round without costing more than the price of the plants themselves.