Don't Toss Your Cracked Plant Pot - Try This Succulent Garden DIY Instead

You have a gorgeous terracotta planter that you just dropped — and cracked. But before you mourn the loss of the lovely pot, remember that in some instances, trash can indeed be treasure. You can try repurposing the pieces as a multi-level succulent planter. This easy, DIY hack of layering the broken shards and soil in the broken pot not only makes a beautiful succulent mosaic, but it also creates a great home for these no-fuss plants.

There are many examples of succulent plants, from the prickly pear cactus to Mexican rosettes or snowballs. Terracotta pots work well for them, since they're sturdy and solid. Many succulents are top heavy, so a stout base can ensure that they don't tip over. Furthermore, a planter with shallow ledges can be perfect for succulents that prefer small crevices to grow in such as the ghost plant, whose roots grow horizontally. You'll need to know how to plant succulents in shallow dishes like this DIY broken terracotta planter to ensure that they thrive. For instance, they might need to be watered slightly more. Small divots of soil can dry out a little faster. 

To get started on this DIY project, you'll need a cracked or broken pot, succulent-specific soil, and your favorite succulents. A larger cracked pot is best, as well as a few extra shards — either from that pot or another one. Also, grab anything you'd want to potentially decorate with, like a small ceramic house or mouse figurine. Get creative! Ready to build your new planter? Let's go.

First, if your pot is cracked, not fully broken, use a rubber hammer to open the front of the pot by tapping gently along the cracks. Start with the bottom piece, as this one needs to be mostly intact to work, and fill it with a little soil.  Make sure there's proper drainage. How many drain holes do flower pots need? It really depends, but good drainage means that no plant, including succulents, ever sits in water.

Next, tuck in a different shard into the larger one for your first layer. You can use shards from the original cracked pot, or find another smaller broken pot to use. Put this first piece slightly off center. Add more soil. Tuck in another shard on top of the new layer of soil (the opposite side is best), then add more dirt, and keep on doing this, until you've got layers about a quarter of the way to the top. 

Don't automatically toss out stained pieces, either. If you find that your terracotta is stained from mineral build-up, you can clean it by learning how to remove salt stains from clay pots, typically using a steel wool brush and vinegar. Next, comes the fun of planting your succulents. Use a pencil or stick to poke a hole in the dirt and then add the sprig of succulent, cutting side down. If the soil feels too loose, you can use small stones for reinforcement. Finally, add in any small figurines or decorations you have on hand to bring this succulent garden design to life.