DIY Boho Succulent Planter (Step-by-Step)

on Nov 01, 2021, Updated Jun 03, 2024

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Get creative with your very own DIY boho succulent planter. It’s a beautiful centerpiece for your home and just a great project for teens and adults.

Just take a look at this gorgeous planter. It’s not just any old, plain, or boring planter, no. This one’s like a little terrarium in one single pot.

What I love about it is the bohemian vibe that it throws off in spades. There’s a lovely touch of rusticity, too. But all those textured rocks and succulents just scream earthy boho-chic, don’t they?

What if I told you that this planter was actually super easy to make, and you can make one—or three—all on your own for your home? No, really, you can recreate this planter, too, if you’ve a mind to.

Go on and take a look at the supplies you’ll need, and then read ahead to find out exactly how you can make this DIY boho succulent planter.

Supplies and Tools You’ll Need

Here’s an exhaustive list of everything you’ll need for this project:

1x cardboard box
Styrofoam sheets
White napkin
Pliers
Artificial succulents
Stones
100x skewers (more for a bigger box, fewer for a smaller one)
Hot glue gun
Paintbrush
Acrylic paints (brown and metallic gold)
Foam brush

Watch: DIY Boho Succulent

Would love to watch a video for this instead? Check full tutorial here!

How to Make a Boho Succulent

Now you know what you’ll need, so go ahead and gather all the materials. You will have noticed by now that we’re not going to be using real succulents. That’s because this planter is essentially a display piece.

Step 1

It seems like a shame to cover up such a pretty cardboard box, doesn’t it. But, if you’re using one of those generic ones, then you’ll be glad for the make-over. You can also use a plastic or a metal box to the same effect.

So, grab your hot glue gun to get started. Line the board with glue starting at one end from the bottom and lining up to the top.

Step 2

Take a skewer and press it into the line of glue to adhere it. Hold it in place for a few moments while the glue dries.

It might be easier to apply multiple lines of glue at a time and stick the skewers in place. The process will be quicker that way.

Just keep an eye out for the glue—you don’t want it to cool down while you’re working your way across the board.

Step 3

Grab a pair of pliers and clip the skewers as evenly as possible. The ends should not be longer than the height of the box.

Continue to work your way through the entire box alternatively gluing and clipping the skewers.

When you’re done, your box should look something like this. It’s already so pretty, isn’t it?

Step 4

Now, it’s time for sandpaper to come to the rescue. You remember when you clipped the skewers? Well, we need to even the ends out so they don’t look too jagged.

Grab a bit of sandpaper and scrub the ends as much as you like. You can even skip this step if you like the rusticity that the uneven ends add to the box.

Step 5

Grab your paint and brushes and start painting the skewers. You can start by applying a nice base coat.

Once that coat has dried completely, proceed to add another coat or two till you’re happy with how it looks.

Step 6

It’s time to line the bottom of the box with a sheet of styrofoam. You can use ready-made sheets or even buy an entire block. Then, just cut either of them down to size to fit the bottom of the box.

Tuck the styrofoam in there, as seen here.

Step 7

Next, layer the box and line the styrofoam sheet with a white paper towel or napkin. You can also use fabric if you like.

Step 8

Next, decorate the inside of the box with different stones, pebbles, rocks, and more. You can even add a few bits of pumice stone in there for added texture.

Step 9

Sprinkle some sand between the gaps to fill them up. You don’t want the white bits from the napkin underneath to show, do you? You can also add in a few seashells and other embellishments.

That can add a bit of a beachy-vibe to your bohemian box.

Step 10

Finally, grab your faux succulents and place them around the stones, tucking them in place as you see fit.

There you go—looks like something you bought from a shop, doesn’t it?

Who Can Make This Boho Succulent?

While younger kids can help you decorate the planter—I bet they’ll love filling the box with sand and shells—this project might be more suitable to an older crowd.

It can be a little risky working with all those skewers, so if younger kids are working on this project, parental guidance and supervision is a definite must.

Where Could I Place the Succulent Planter?

This planter would look pretty amazing just about anywhere around your home. Here’s a few ideas about where you might consider placing your bohemian planter:

On the deck
As a centerpiece
On a coffee table or sideboard
Up the front porch steps or
On the front porch
Around the garden path

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