How to Create a Charming Dish Garden With Succulents

Looking for a fun, no-stress hobby that brings a little green into your space? Say hello to the succulent dish garden—a mini indoor oasis that’s equal parts adorable and low-maintenance. Whether you're new to plants or just want a cute, creative project to slow down with, dish gardens are the perfect blend of DIY fun and plant parent satisfaction.

Let’s dig into how to make your own (and why you might become totally hooked).

What Is a Dish Garden, Anyway?

Think of a dish garden as a tiny landscape made up of complementary plants—usually low-maintenance ones like succulents or cacti—arranged in a shallow container. It’s like a tiny desert (or jungle!) right on your windowsill.

Perfect for small spaces, cozy corners, or gifting to a fellow slow-living soul.

Pick Your "Dish" – Creative Container Ideas

First up: the container. You'll want something shallow with good drainage (or a way to fake it 'til you make it with rocks and charcoal if there’s no hole).

Here are some cute and quirky ideas:

• A vintage pie plate or baking dish

• A shallow ceramic bowl

• A wide teacup or soup mug (hello, cozy vibes!)

• A rustic wooden box lined with plastic

• An old serving tray with low sides

• Mini metal tubs or repurposed candle containers

• 
  

The container is your creative canvas—anything goes as long as your plants have enough room to breathe.

Best Succulents for Your Dish Garden

Now for the fun part—plant shopping! You'll want a variety of textures, shapes, and sizes for visual interest. Stick to plants that love the same conditions: bright light and minimal water.

Here are some fan favorites:

1. Echeveria: These rosette-shaped beauties come in dreamy shades of blue, purple, and pink.

2. Haworthia: Perfect for adding contrast—these look like spiky little aloe plants and are super hardy.

3. Sedum: Low-growing and great for filling in gaps, sedum adds a wild, natural feel.

4. Crassula (aka Jade Plant): Tiny jade plants add structure and a pop of glossy green.

5. String of Pearls or String of Bananas: These trailing succulents are great if your dish is near the edge of a shelf—hello, cascading greenery!

6. Lithops (Living Stones): These funky little pebbles are actually plants! Great for adding something unexpected.

 Step-by-Step: Build Your Succulent Dish Garden

Ready to get your hands a little dirty? Here's how to put it all together:

1. Prep Your Container: If there’s no drainage hole, layer in some pebbles or gravel, followed by activated charcoal (helps keep things fresh).

2. Add Succulent Soil: Succulents need well-draining soil, so use a cactus/succulent mix or DIY your own with potting soil, sand, and perlite.

3. Plan Your Layout: Before you plant, play around with the arrangement. Tall ones in the back, trailing ones on the edges, and variety in texture = plant harmony.

4. Plant Time!: Gently remove each plant from its pot, loosen the roots a little, and nestle them into the soil. Don’t overcrowd—succulents like breathing room.

5. Decorate (Optional but Fun): Add moss, decorative rocks, crystals, or tiny figurines (yes, your mini garden gnome needs a home too).

6. Water Lightly: Give it a little drink—just a light mist or a splash of water around the roots. Succulents don’t like soggy feet!

How to Keep It Happy

Place your dish garden in a bright spot—near a sunny window is ideal. Water only when the soil is completely dry. Overwatering is the fast track to mushy, sad plants.

Pro tip: If you’re not sure if it needs water, wait a few more days. Succulents are better off thirsty than too wet.

Why You'll Love This DIY Plant Project

• It’s low-maintenance and beginner-friendly

• You get a burst of nature without a full-on garden

• It’s a creative hobby you can do in one relaxing afternoon

• It adds joy, calm, and greenery to your home

• It makes a thoughtful, handmade gift

Dish gardens are a perfect way to embrace slow living, one succulent at a time.

Whether you're looking to try something new, add some natural beauty to your space, or just enjoy a mindful moment of planting, a succulent dish garden is a sweet and satisfying hobby.

Bonus: every time you see it, you’ll get a little boost of “I made that!” pride.

Ready to create your own little world in a bowl?

There’s a whole world of cozy, soul-soothing moments waiting to be discovered, and we’re here to help you find them—one delightful box at a time. Imagine unboxing a curated experience that invites you to slow down, indulge in small luxuries, and fully savor life’s simple pleasures. Whether it’s exploring a new hobby, enjoying meaningful time with loved ones, or carving out quiet moments just for yourself, we’re here to make it effortless. If you’re not already part of our cozy corner online, come join us! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest for inspiration, ideas, and a peek at the joy that awaits.

At Simple Joy Box, we believe in the beauty of slowing down and embracing life’s little joys. Each month, we deliver a thoughtfully curated experience designed to help you relax, recharge, and reconnect with yourself and those around you. From self-care rituals that nourish your well-being to cozy touches that spark creativity, our boxes make slowing down feel both easy and rewarding. Ready to start your slow-living journey? Visit our website to explore more, and don’t forget to join our email list—you’ll be the first to hear about new ideas, fresh experiences, and ways to find joy every day.

Join our Email List

Privacy Policy