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Interior Design

A Gardener’s Secrets to DIY Planters

Do you have green-thumb envy? Do you want a sweet little succulent to brighten your day? Or perhaps you need a centerpiece arrangement with a major “wow" factor? We’ve got the tricks of the trade from a stylist-turned-greenery-guru, who's showing us how to make our own DIY planter like a pro.

· By Lauren Helmer
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Elegant clusters of gorgeous greenery always seem to make a room feel polished, welcoming and lively. From modern or bohemian to traditional or refined, there is an indoor plant just for you. And with this how-to guide on DIY planters, you can make it exactly the way you want it! First, match your lifestyle and living space to a plant’s maintenance demands, then the rest of the process is all about creativity with colors, containers and presentation.

Lydia Pursell—owner, head buyer and head gardener at Leaf & Petal and freelance stylist—gives us the insider secrets to making DIY planters that wow.Pin
Lydia Pursell, owner, head buyer and head gardener at Leaf & Petal and freelance stylist, gives us  insider secrets to making DIY planters, from simple and easy to the way the pros do it.

Today, Lydia Pursell—owner, head buyer and gardener of Leaf & Petal and freelance stylist—gives us a behind-the-scenes peek and some insider secrets to creating planters and arrangements that elicit high praise and infuse your interiors with a graceful finishing touch. From simple and easy to creative and complex, this DIY planter guide will give you the tools and insight you need to create something stylish that perfectly suits your lifestyle and decor.

Effortless Elegance with Air Plants

Air plants are ideal for those who are style-hungry for gorgeous greenery, but time-starved for plant maintenance. These interesting plants require no soil and derive all of their nutrients from the moisture and air around them. Lydia suggests placing them in a bathroom, where the moisture level mimics the tropical climate indigenous to these spiky plants. If your coffee table is incomplete without your favorite new air plant, Lydia recommends soaking the root of the air plant in a bowl of water for 2 to 3 hours once a week. These DIY planters incorporate items from the sea—an abalone shell, barnacle planter and driftwood vase—making for an interesting and romantic sea-meets-air motif. Find these planters at Leaf & Petal or keep a beachcombing eye peeled for a vase-like treasure on your next seaside getaway!

PLANTER: ABALONE

Step 1

The iridescent multi-colored swirls of this abalone shell are simply beautiful. Pair them with the twisting tendrils of an air plant for added dramatic effect.Pin
The iridescent, multicolored swirls of this abalone shell are simply beautiful. Pair them with the twisting tendrils of an air plant for added dramatic effect.

Step 2

Arrange natural stones in the abalone shell with the air plant.Pin
Arrange natural stones in the abalone shell with the air plant.

In the Home

Place this simply crafted accent on a side table where the lamplight will bring out the beauty of the abalone shell and your lovely new air plant. Or, for even less maintenance, place it in your bathroom for an unexpected yet modern nautical touch!Pin
Place this simply crafted accent on a side table where the lamplight will bring out the beauty of the abalone shell and your lovely new air plant. Or, for even less maintenance, place it in your bathroom for an unexpected, yet modern, nautical touch!

PLANTER: BARNACLES

Step 1

Place your desired air plants in the natural mini vases created by this barnacle display piece.Pin
Place your desired air plants in the natural mini vases created by this barnacle display piece.

In the Home

Surround this piece in white for a completely clean and natural look, where the soft green of the air plants has a soothing appeal. | Image credit: Lydia PursellPin
Surround this piece in white for a completely clean and natural look, where the soft green of the air plants has a soothing appeal. Image: Lydia Pursell

PLANTER: DRIFTWOOD

Step 1

Place your favorite air plant in one of the craggy nooks of this driftwood vase.Pin
Place your favorite air plant in one of the craggy nooks of this driftwood vase.

In the Home

The natural textures and colors of this accent piece are gorgeous when juxtaposed against bold swaths of blue.Pin
The natural textures and colors of this accent piece are gorgeous when juxtaposed against bold swaths of blue. Image: Lydia Pursell

Air Plant Maintenance

Water: If the arrangement is in a moist environment, like a bathroom, no water is needed. If it is in a spot with three or more hours of direct sunlight, mist your air plants every couple of days. If it is placed anywhere in an air-conditioned or arid environment, soak the root in a bowl of water for two to three hours once a week.

Light: Air plants need bright, indirect sunlight.

Splendidly Simple Succulents

Succulents, sometimes called fat plants, have fleshy leaves used for water storage in their native arid environments. These resilient, low-maintenance beauties come in so many varieties, from tight geometric, kaleidoscopic works of art to long, spilling tangles like a splatter from Jackson Pollock’s paintbrush. Lydia takes a laid-back approach when asked about succulent maintenance, saying, “Just water them when the soil gets dry”—proof that these funky plants crave the home decor spotlight. Plant an array of succulents bunched together in a planter for a wildly popular look that can be achieved in large centerpiece bowls or humble wooden boxes. Get creative with your containers!

These tightly packed planters of succulents are beautiful and easy to maintain, indoor or out.Pin
These tightly packed planters of succulents are beautiful and easy to maintain, indoors or out.
Planting these beautiful bunches is simple, just arrange the colors and shapes that speak to you!Pin
Planting these beautiful bunches is simple: just arrange the colors and shapes that speak to you!
A close-up of the stunning succulentsPin
A close-up of the stunning succulents

PLANTER: ANTIQUE VESSEL

These vintage Indian seed spreaders are a great standalone conversation piece, but they can also be used as an inventive candleholder or planter.Pin
These vintage Indian seed spreaders are a great stand-alone conversation piece, but they can also be used as an inventive candleholder or planter.

Step 1

Make sure your planter has drainage holes if it is going to be outdoors. If holes are required, take your pot to your local greenhouse or nursery to see if they can assist you in drilling holes appropriate for your container.Pin
Make sure your planter has drainage holes, if it is going to be outdoors. If holes are required, take your pot to your local greenhouse or nursery to see if they can assist you in drilling holes appropriate for your container.

Step 2

Gently remove your succulent from its pot, shaking off excess soil and careful to not damage the root system. (We are shaking off the excess soil because the antique seed spreader’s bed is very shallow.)Pin
Gently remove your succulent from its pot, shaking off excess soil and taking care to not damage the root system. (We are shaking off the excess soil because the antique seed spreader’s bed is very shallow.)

Step 3

Press the root system into the shallow bed of your antique seed spreader or other planting vessel.Pin
Press the root system into the shallow bed of your antique seed spreader or other planting vessel.

Step 4

Top the soil with tiny pebbles. This is not only pretty, but it also helps the soil retain moisture for longer periods of time, thus less maintenance!Pin
Top the soil with tiny pebbles. This is not only pretty, but it also helps the soil retain moisture for longer periods of time, thus less maintenance!

Step 5

For an artsy finish to this vintage planter, add yellow lichen to the holes on the side or stuffed into the bed. Don’t be afraid to get creative and have fun!Pin
For an artsy finish to this vintage planter, add yellow lichen to the holes on the side or stuffed into the bed. Don’t be afraid to get creative and have fun!

In the Home

Place it in a kitchen window or another area that will get lots of light, and enjoy this dash of vintage bohemian charm!Pin
Place your potted succulent in a kitchen window or another area that will get lots of light, and enjoy this dash of vintage bohemian charm! Image: Lydia Pursell

Succulent Maintenance

Water: Water succulents when the soil gets dry.

Light: Succulents crave as much bright light or filtered sunlight as they can get, indoors or out.

Tip: Outdoor succulent planters definitely need somewhat rocky soil and drainage holes, so that a heavy rain doesn’t result in root rot.

Orchid Opulence

The orchid bloom has a delicate, yet sophisticated, beauty. For an arrangement that wows, Lydia recommends orchids without hesitation. “They’re stronger and more resistant because they are bred in hothouses now,” says Lydia, adding, “and, if properly taken care of, they’ll really last.” Lydia says for a quick fix for an upcoming party, orchids are always a great choice. Let’s get an insider look at how to make a jaw-dropping orchid arrangement of your own!

Step 1

Choose your container and a grouping of orchids that that fit your color scheme and height requirements. Lydia is using a beautiful handmade piece from a line custom-made by a local Alabama artist for Leaf & Petal. For a similar pot made to your own specifications, visit Leaf & Petal.Pin
Choose your container and a grouping of orchids that that fit your color scheme and height requirements. Lydia is using a beautiful handmade piece from a line custom-made by a local Alabama artist for her stores. For a similar pot made to your own specifications, visit Leaf & Petal.

Step 2

Fill the planter with your filler of choice. We used embossed foil, but there are many other types of planting fillers that you can check out at your local nursery.Pin
Fill the planter with your filler of choice. We used embossed foil, but there are many other types of planting fillers that you can check out at your local nursery. Cover that layer and the side of the planter with one sheet of embossed foil. This protects the pot and provides added security for the arrangement.

Step 3

Placement of the orchids is perhaps the most important step of this arrangement. Lydia spent quite a while gauging how the orchids would bloom and how the curvature of one orchid structure would interplay with the others.Pin
Placement of the orchids is perhaps the most important step of this arrangement. Lydia spent quite a while gauging how the orchids would bloom and how the curvature of one orchid structure would interplay with the others.

Step 4

Once your orchids are in the desired position, stuff bunches of the embossed foil into the empty spaces to secure the pots in place.Pin
Once your orchids are in the desired position, stuff bunches of the embossed foil into the empty spaces to secure the pots in place.

Step 5

If you prefer a different stick supporting the orchid, there are many shapes and colors to choose from. We chose a preserved, lacquered bamboo stick in the same shade as the orchid stem. Remove the old stick, and replace with bamboo stick, and secure with twine. Pin
If you prefer a different stick supporting the orchid, there are many shapes and colors to choose from. We chose a preserved, lacquered bamboo stick in the same shade as the orchid stem. Remove the old stick, and replace it with a bamboo stick and secure with twine.
Snip the twine for a clean look.Pin
Snip the twine for a clean look.

Step 6

Spray the orchid leaves with plant polish, such as Green Glo. Pin
Spray the orchid leaves with plant polish, such as Green Glo.
This gives the leaves a glossy sheen, a small touch that has a big effect. Check out this before-and-after shot!Pin
This gives the leaves a glossy sheen, a small touch that has a big effect. Check out this before-and-after shot!

Step 7

Next, we fill in the areas under the leaves.Pin
Next we fill in the areas under the leaves.
The moss is simply a visual filler and can be gently arranged, so that the vital orchid roots—the beating heart of the orchid—can have breathing room.Pin
The moss is simply a visual filler and can be gently arranged, so that the vital orchid roots—the beating heart of the orchid—can have breathing room.
We used two shades of vibrant green reindeer moss. Again, be careful not to not press the moss into the roots or soil. Pin
We used two shades of vibrant green reindeer moss. Again, be careful to not press the moss into the roots or soil.

Step 8

Snip the bamboo sticks, so that they do not tower above the blooms. We want the beautiful orchid blooms to take center stage.Pin
Snip the bamboo sticks so that they do not tower above the blooms. We want the beautiful orchid blooms to take center stage.

Step 9

If you like the forest-floor charm of the preserved mushrooms, add them by pushing their snipped stems into the soil at the desired locations.Pin
If you like the forest-floor charm of the preserved mushrooms, snip the long stem to the desired length. We wanted ours at the base of each orchid.
Add the preserved mushrooms by pushing their snipped stems into the soil at the desired locations.Pin
Add the preserved mushrooms by pushing their snipped stems into the soil at the desired locations. Fill in with a little moss.

Step 10

For a final romantic touch, sprinkle preserved gardenias into the mossy bed.Pin
For a final romantic touch, sprinkle preserved gardenias into the mossy bed.

In the Home

Situate this stunning arrangement in a stately locale. The dining room table is a fitting place for this work of art.Pin
Situate this stunning arrangement in a stately locale. The dining room table is a fitting place for this work of art. Image: Lydia Pursell
Since most of the blooms are oriented towards one side of the long planting pot, this arrangement will also shine on a sideboard table.Pin
Since most of the blooms are oriented toward one side of the long planting pot, this arrangement will also shine on a sideboard table. Image: Lydia Pursell

Orchid Maintenance

Water: Water orchids when the soil gets dry. Stick your finger 1/2 inch into the soil to determine if the soil is dry. You can water orchids by placing two to three ice cubes atop the soil every two to three days.

Light: Orchids need bright, indirect light.

Tip: Orchids enjoy cooler temperatures. When watering, avoid getting the leaves wet, and do not allow standing water to contact the base of the orchid. If this happens, soak up standing water with a paper towel.

Try these creative and fun DIY planters for yourself! Or, if you’re not the DIY type, Lydia and her fellow gardeners at Leaf & Petal regularly create potted plant arrangements—from succulents in family heirloom pottery to last-minute orchid arrangements for parties. Customers let her know the colors and height they want, whether their desired presentation spot gets high or low light and a desired price range and the Leaf & Petal team creates stunning centerpieces and sideboard arrangements just like these!

For more interior design inspiration, follow us on Instagram, or get out and explore the city with our SB App! Download it … it’s free!!

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Lauren Helmer

Lauren Helmer

Lauren Helmer is a writer, editor, and artist with a passion for food, the arts, interiors, and the people who create them.

See all articles by Lauren Helmer
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