DIY Succulent Styling: Planting Succulents in Clear Vases

I’m currently on a greenery kick, both outdoors and inside my home, so here’s the story of four inexpensive succulents I impulsively bought at Home Depot and planted in a slightly unconventional way. It started as a small, affordable purchase and turned into a fun decorating experiment that brought new life to a few old vases.

The plants themselves were a bargain: two small succulents at $2.98 each and two medium ones at $3.98 each. One of them is a sentimental favorite—a red cactus I kept through middle and high school that stubbornly refused to die no matter how neglectful I was. I kept that one for nostalgia, and it seemed only right to make it part of the grouping.

I went hunting for interesting planters—baskets, wooden boxes, anything with texture. I’d seen great examples of succulents planted in old wooden crates with decorative pebbles for a clean, modern look. But I couldn’t find any suitable boxes or the white pebbles I had pictured, and then I noticed some old clear vases tucked away in a cabinet. The idea of planting succulents in see-through containers felt a little odd at first, but I like quirky solutions, so I decided to go for it.

Transparent containers do raise an obvious concern: drainage. I paused to think about that, but I reminded myself that several of my houseplants have been perfectly happy in pots without drainage holes—my old ceramic pot for the resilient red cactus and many inexpensive white Ikea pots, for example. With that in mind, I planted carefully and focused on giving them enough soil and a good environment instead.

After placing the plants in the vases, I realized the containers needed more soil to support the roots properly. So I grabbed a spoon and went outside to scoop extra dirt into each glass vessel—yes, a spoon. It wasn’t fancy, but it worked. The darker soil contrasted nicely with the green and red tones of the succulents, giving the arrangements a clean, modern look that felt intentional, even if the process was a little improvised.

I like how the dark brown soil highlights the plants’ colors. With much of my home decor in white tones—white counters, white pots, and pale surfaces—the rich soil provides a pleasing contrast that makes the succulents pop. That contrast is part of what makes this simple DIY visually effective: the clear glass lets you see layers of soil and roots, while the plant colors become the focal point.

Right now, two of the succulents are perched on the white counter in the hall bathroom, where they stand out nicely against the surface. One is sitting on the kitchen fireplace mantel—my little red cactus—because of its sentimental value. I’ll take a photo of them in their new spots soon, although around here plants and pillows tend to migrate frequently, so they may move again next week.

If you enjoy experimenting with plant placement or want a low-cost way to refresh a room, consider repurposing clear vases or unique containers for succulents. Just be mindful of soil depth and watering—succulents need less water than many houseplants, and in non-draining containers it’s best to water sparingly and allow soil to dry between waterings. Have you tried planting succulents in an unconventional vessel, or kept a surprisingly resilient plant through years of neglect? I’d love to hear about your own quirky plant stories.