I’m on a greenery kick lately—both outdoors and indoors—so here’s the story of four inexpensive succulents I impulsively bought at Home Depot and decided to pot in a slightly unusual way.
The plants were budget-friendly: two smaller succulents priced at $2.98 each and two medium ones at $3.98 each. One of the plants is a small red cactus I’ve had a soft spot for because I used to own a similar one in middle and high school. That cactus was nearly indestructible; I rarely watered it and somehow it always survived, so I kept a similar plant for a touch of nostalgia.
I started hunting for pots—baskets, wooden boxes, anything with a bit of character. I’d seen some beautiful displays where succulents were planted in reclaimed wooden boxes with pebbles and thought that look was really appealing. But after searching my usual spots I came up empty-handed on boxes and didn’t have the white pebbles I’d imagined around the house.
Then I spotted a few old glass vases tucked away in a cabinet. The idea shifted: what if I planted the succulents in clear containers? It felt unconventional, but I like unusual choices. My first hesitation was drainage—glass vases don’t have holes like standard plant pots. But I remembered my old red cactus had lived happily in a ceramic pot with no drainage holes for years, and many of our Ikea pots are also hole-less. That gave me confidence to try it.
Because the vases were shallow, they needed more soil than I expected. I didn’t have a tiny scoop or trowel at hand, so I improvised with a spoon and added extra potting mix to each vase. Working with the spoon felt oddly satisfying, and the transparent vessels made arranging the roots and soil visible in a way you don’t get with opaque pots.
The finished arrangement exceeded my expectations. The dark brown potting mix creates a strong, attractive contrast with the succulents’ green and the red of the tiny cactus. Against the many white surfaces in my home—white countertops, white plant pots, and other pale decor—the brown soil and varied plant colors stand out and give a little visual punch. I appreciate the contrast; it’s a small design rebellion in a house full of neutrals.
Right now two of the glass planters are sitting on the hall bathroom counter, where the clean white surface really makes the plants pop. One is perched on the kitchen’s white mantelpiece—my sentimental red cactus, which I’ve already started favoring. These spots are temporary, though; I tend to move pillows and plants around frequently, so they’ll probably migrate to a new corner of the house soon.
This experiment reminded me that you don’t always need perfect or traditional planters to create an attractive display. Clear containers make the planting process visible and add a fresh, modern feel. If you try this at home, keep an eye on watering since glass containers without drainage will retain moisture longer. Succulents are forgiving compared to many houseplants, but a cautious hand with water is still wise.
Have you ever planted succulents or other houseplants in unconventional containers? Or did you have a stubborn, drought-tolerant cactus during your school years that refused to die, no matter how infrequently you watered it?