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.

Table of Contents

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.

3 small succulent plants & 2 pots sit on a table — *There’s such a wide variety of small succulents & small pots out there. My collection of both is ever-expanding!*

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!

2 hands are placing a small succulent plant into a small ceramic other small succulents & pots are on the table — A 2.5″ grow pot fits nicely inside this 4″ ceramic pot. The scale is right & there’s enough room for it to grow into. This Kalanchoe Chocolate Soldier will be fine growing in this pot for at least a year.

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.

2 hands are taking a plastic drain hole plug out of a pot a small succulent in a small pot sits nearby — *You might buy a pot with a plastic plug covering the drain hole. It’s best to remove it so the excess water can freely flow out.*

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.

a mini trowel is planting a small succulent plant into a small ceramic it sits in a tin of succulent soil mix — I love this mini trowel that the previous owner of my Santa Barbara home left behind. I use it quite a bit when working with smaller plants & cuttings. You can find a similar one in this mini tool set.

FAQs

Do succulents like to be crowded? Do succulents like small pots?

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.

Can succulents grow in small pots? Do succulents do better in small pots?

Yes, succulents grow just fine in small containers. It again depends on the type of succulent and how small the pot is.

How do you care for small potted succulents?

It’s basically the same for other succulents except for the watering.

Can you use regular potting soil for succulents?

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.

Can succulents stay in small pots? How long can succulents stay in small pots?

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.

close up of small succulent plants and small pots on a table outdoors — *So many succulents, so many pots. Can we ever have too many?!*

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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About the Author
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Nell Foster

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.