DIY Painted Planter with Succulents and Colorful Cacti

If you were expecting a weekly craft post on Tuesday, my apologies — lately those posts have been landing on Thursdays. Between pulling staples from old carpeting, peeling wallpaper, and tackling more painting (we’re working on stair risers this weekend so we can install a runner soon), my hands have been busy. For this week’s quick, cheerful craft I picked something simple and fun: a large, hand-painted planter filled with succulents and colorful cacti.

You’ve probably seen me share houseplant updates before — I like to highlight the plants we’re adding, loving, or inadvertently killing — and this project began when I spotted ceramic and glass paint on clearance. I hadn’t worked with specialty paint like that before, so it felt a bit like discovering a five-dollar bill in an old coat pocket: unexpectedly satisfying and a little exciting.

I considered a few small projects first — painted mugs, a vase, or candlesticks — but then I found a photo of a painted planter that really inspired me, and I decided to make my own. A planter made sense for two reasons: my daughter Clara had pointed out some colorful cacti at the hardware store and seemed genuinely interested in caring for one, and I also noticed a large, shallow serving bowl tucked away in a cabinet that hardly ever gets used. The bowl’s shape was perfect for a wide, low planter, roughly 17 inches across, which would make a cheerful kitchen table centerpiece.

Clara and I went to the hardware store and spent a long time looking at plants. We probably went a little overboard — we picked ten small plants in total: five brightly colored cacti and five smaller succulents to fill in the spaces. The plants cost about thirty dollars in total, which felt like a worthwhile splurge given how excited Clara was. If you have cactus care tips, I’d welcome them — I really don’t want to lose these little guys.

At the register, the cashier recommended mixing coarse sand into the potting soil because cacti appreciate that kind of drainage. She also mentioned a bag of cactus sand available at the store, which we bought for just a few dollars. When you’ve already spent a bit on plants, paying a little extra for the right soil seemed like a sensible investment.

Back home, the first step was painting the ceramic bowl. Instead of painting the whole piece, I decided to leave most of the bowl white and paint a bold teal band around the inner lip. That way the colorful plants would pop, and I wouldn’t use all of the paint on an area that will be covered by soil. I prepped the surface with alcohol wipes, let it dry, and used a small craft brush to apply even coats. The paint was slow to dry, so where I smudged or got a small blob I could wipe it away with a paper towel and reapply for a clean edge. The paint was non-toxic, so it was safe to have Clara nearby while I worked — she was more interested in the planting step anyway.

Because this bowl was only labeled microwave- and dishwasher-safe and not oven-safe, I let the painted area cure by air rather than baking it. After a few days the paint felt no longer tacky, and we felt comfortable proceeding with the planting.

Planting was the most fun for Clara. The cacti are spiky, so we worked carefully, but she loved scooping soil, making little holes, and helping me press the plants into place. We used the cactus sand mix the cashier had suggested to improve drainage and mimic the plants’ natural growing medium. Once the arrangement was finished, the bowl became a bright, living centerpiece that looks cheerful at the table.

Now we check our plants each evening, naming them and watching for any signs of distress. So far they’re thriving and Clara is delighted. The whole project was quick: about thirty minutes to gather supplies, twenty minutes to paint the lip, and fifteen minutes to plant. It felt like a small creative investment that will hopefully bring us joy for years.

I like the idea of making a few more of these — smaller versions could be inexpensive gifts for neighbors or for the holidays: one small cactus, a little pot, some paint, and you’re done. Painted stripes, dots, or dipped bottoms would be fun variations. If you’re planning indoor planting projects for the colder months or brainstorming homemade gifts, this is an easy, kid-friendly option that doesn’t require a lot of time or expensive materials.