How To Plant Succulents In Small Pots
Succulents and small pots go hand in hand. Many succulents stay smaller, especially when growing indoors, and are well suited to growing in pint-sized pots. Today I’m sharing how I plant succulents in small pots and related info good to know.
Succulents are commonly sold in 2″, 3″, and 4″ grow pots. At these sizes, their root systems are compact and making them easy to plant in smaller pots.
Types of Succulents
Any succulent plants you buy in a small grow pot will be fine repotted into a small decorative pot for at least 6-12 months. The succulents that are best to grow for an extended period of time (more than a year) are ones that stay small and compact.
My favorites are ones that stay smaller or are slow growers. They are Haworthias (genus of the very popular Zebra Plant), Living Stones, Sempervivums (the rosette type succulents lie the Hens & Chicks), Gasterias, Panda Plants, and some of the Echeverias and Crassulas.
Types of Pots
I consider any pot with a diameter of 6″ or less to be a small pot.
There are many small pots on the market you can buy. They’re available in an array of materials, shapes, colors, and styles. This post on smaller pots for succulents will give you an idea of what can be found. There’s something for everyone!
I love the look of succulents planted in terra cotta and unglazed ceramic pots.
I have many succulents growing in small containers throughout my home. We have many good sources for buying them here in Tucson which is where I do the majority of my plant-related shopping. I’m a small business so I like to support other small businesses.
I bought a few of the pots you see in this post and the one 2 paragraphs up at Amazon and Etsy. I want to share them in case you don’t have the resources we have here. Tucson is a plant-loving town!
Watch this video on planting succulents in smaller pots:
Size of Pots
This is a generalization and is meant to help you out if you’re new to the world of succulent gardening.
Succulents in 2 & 3″ grow pots can get planted in 3-5″ pots.
Succulents in 4″ grow pots can get planted into 4-6″ pots.
I don’t like to put small succulents in larger containers. They look out of scale, and with a larger soil mass, are subject to staying too wet which can lead to root rot. Small succulents in small pots just make sense to me!
Want to learn more about how to care for succulents indoors? Check out these guides!
- How to Choose Succulents and Pots
- Small Pots for Succulents
- How to Water Indoor Succulents
- 6 Most Important Succulent Care Tips
- Hanging Planters for Succulents
- 13 Common Succulent Problems and How to Avoid Them
- How to Propagate Succulents
- Succulent Soil Mix
- 21 Indoor Succulent Planters
- How to Repot Succulents
- How To Prune Succulents
- How To Plant Succulents In Small Pots
- Planting Succulents In A Shallow Succulent Planter
- How to Plant and Water Succulents in Pots Without Drain Holes
- Indoor Succulent Care for Beginners
- How To Make & Take Care Of An Indoor Succulent Garden
Drainage Holes
I recommend buying pots with a drain hole on the bottom of the pot. Smaller pots won’t allow much if any space for a bottom layer of rock to up the ante on the drainage factor. If you feel comfortable with drilling, you can create a hole if the pot doesn’t have one.
I’ve done this post on planting succulents in pots with no drain holes and will be updating it and adding a new video in a few weeks.
When to Plant
The best time to do the planting is spring and summer. Early fall is fine too if you’re in a climate with mild winters.
Soil Mix
Succulents in any sized pot do best in a special potting mix. I just did a post and video all about succulent soil so I have you covered there. To sum it up, the mix you use should be well aerated and light, and most importantly have good drainage. It should not hold too much water.
How To Plant Succulents In Small Pots
It’s a good idea to watch the video at the beginning on this one, especially if you’re a visual learner.
Succulent Care in Small Pots
The care is basically the same as for succulents in larger pots except for a couple of things.
I water these smaller succulents more often than those growing in large pots. The soil mass is much less and they dry out faster.
I find using a small watering can with a narrow spout works best. I also use this bottle with a long neck for getting into tight spots.
More on watering succulents indoors and 6 important things to know about growing succulents indoors.
FAQs
It depends on the type and size of the succulents. Succulents in general don’t mind being crowded and can grow tight in their pots for a while. The ones that do best stay on the smaller side and/or are slow growers.
Yes, succulents grow just fine in small containers. It again depends on the type of succulent and how small the pot is.
It’s basically the same for other succulents except for the watering.
I don’t because it’s too heavy. Potting soil holds more moisture making it more prone to over watering succulents. A succulent and cactus mix has the proper drainage that succulents need.
Yes, especially if the succulent is growing slowly or doesn’t look stressed. Succulents in lower light conditions (lower light, not low or no light!) will grow much slower and can stay in their pots for longer.
How long depends on the succulent and how small the container. Yours might be growing taller and need a bigger base for those expanding roots.
One of my Haworthia Zebras has been in a 5″ terra cotta pot for over 4 years now. I’ll repot it next spring (maybe into a bigger pot or maybe back in to the same one depending on how the roots look) to give it a fresh soil mix.
Small succulents in petite pots make great houseplants because they don’t take up much space. Plus, they’re great starter plants for beginning gardeners.
Happy gardening,
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Nell, the founder of Joy Us garden, was born into a gardening family and grew up in Connecticut’s countryside. After living in Boston, New York, San Francisco, & Santa Barbara, she now calls the Arizona desert home. She studied horticulture & garden design, working in the field all her life. Nell is a gardener, designer, blogger, Youtube creator, & author. She’s been gardening for a very long time & wants to share what she’s learned with you.
