How to make a Succulent Teacup Planter

An adorable DIY succulent teacup planter like this makes the perfect little handmade gift.  It’s perfect for Mother’s Day, end of the year teacher gift, a hostess gift, thank you gift…you name it. And don’t forget Grandma!

Making this easy, affordable little succulent teacup planter project takes just minutes to put together.  It’ll take you longer to find the cups and saucers than it will to do this entire DIY. 

The great thing about succulent plants is they are easy to maintain and look beautiful. No green thumb?  No problem!!!  They are known for their hardiness and they don’t like a lot of water so if you forget to water it for a while, no worries!!

Watch this video and read on to learn how to make a DIY Succulent Teacup Planter of your own or as a gift!

Trying to decide what to give for Mother's Day this year? This succulent teacup would be adorable. But, check out these DIY Mother's Day awesome crafts adults and kids can make as a thoughtful keepsake for Mom.  

What Plants can be grown in a teacup?

Can you grow other plants in teacups besides succulents?  YES!!! You'll want to choose a plant that will grow well within the limited space of a teacup such as:

• Succulents, of course
• Cacti
• Moss
• Small grasses
• Herbs
• Alyssum
• Bonsai
• Primrose
• Pansies
• Portulaca
• Miniature roses
• Micro Dwarf Tomatoes

step-by-step INSTRUCTIONS on planting a succulent in a teacup

STEP 1: Choosing teacup, saucer and succulent

First, for this project, you need to find the teacup and saucer. Succulent containers can be ANYTHING, but when you want to create a sweet and simple gift, plant succulents in cute teacups.

Search your cupboard for a pretty teacup and saucer.  If you don’t already have teacups to use, yard sales and thrift stores are the perfect places for you to pick some up!

If you’re not able to find the matching teacups and saucers it’s not a deal breaker. Mismatched teacups and saucers, like the example above, are perfect for this project.

Visit your local nursery or home & garden center to see the countless  shapes, sizes and colors of succulent plants, which makes it tough to choose a favorite. But choose you must!

STEP 2: prepare container

Wash and dry the teacup and saucer.

Glue the bottom of the teacup to the saucer using a strong glue like E6000. Let dry.

STEP 3: add pebbles to the succulent planter

Once the glue is completely dry, it's planting time!

Put a half-inch layer of pebbles in the bottom of the teacup for drainage. Since there is no drainage hole in the bottom of the cup, the pebbles are important in helping to keep the roots of the succulent from sitting in water.

STEP 4: add soil to the teacup

Now, add a layer of cactus or succulent soil blend on top of the pebbles. You want to fill the cup about 2/3 of the way up.

Then with a spoon press down in the center to form a small well so there is room for the plant.

STEP 5: Add plant

It's time to plant the succulent and this can get really messy.  Gently lift the succulent from the container it came in and brush away some of the excess soil to expose some of the roots.

Gently place the succulent into the well you created in the teacup.

STEP 6: add more soil around the succulent

Carefully spoon more soil around the succulent to fill it up around the edge and top of the teacup. Make sure to get as much soil as possible all the way around the plant. Gently press the soil down with the spoon or fingers.

With it planted, the cup and saucer will likely be pretty messy with soil all over the outside.  I used wet and dry paper towels to clean things up.

STEP 7: decorate the succulent teacup planter

If desired and if there is room, add more pebbles as a decorative touch to the top of the soil. Or moss. Or fairy garden accents to add a bit of enchantment. 

STEP 8: watering the teacup succulent planter

Use a small spout watering can to water the plant.

Succuclent Teacup Planter, All done!  Now, place it somewhere with bright but indirect sunlight.

Finally, to keep your teacup succulent plant looking its best, gently water when the soil dries out, protect it from intense direct sunlight and regularly pinch and prune the plants as needed.

I hope you enjoyed this video and post! Go on, have a go at making your very own Succulent Teacup Planter! 

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