Planting succulents in a face vase: the method that does not drown them
A face vase has no known hole in the bottom. The right method: leave the succulents in their grow pots, water them outside the vase, and put them back once drained.
In this guide
To plant succulents in a face vase, do not plant them. Leave each succulent in its pierced grow pot, set the pot in the opening at the top of the head, and take it out to water it. The vase stays dry, the roots never sit in water, and the hairstyle lasts for years.
Here is why, and how to do it step by step.
Why not fill the vase with potting soil
A face vase is a hollow bust, open at the top of the head. The maker does not say whether the bottom is pierced, and does not give the diameter of the opening. So you must act as if the vase has no hole.
Now, a succulent dies from too much water much faster than from too little. The Royal Horticultural Society sums it up like this: these plants withstand drought, dislike damp, and rot when overwatered. The University of Illinois adds that the container must let water drain away, so that the roots do not stay in it.
In a vase full of potting soil and with no hole, the extra water runs to the bottom and stays there. You do not see it. The roots find it.
What you need
- A face vase, 24 to 30 cm tall depending on the model.
- Three succulents in 6 cm grow pots.
- A saucer or a sink, for watering.
Our set includes the vase and three live succulents, in a single parcel. Seven vase models to choose from.
The method, in four steps
- Leave the succulents in their pots. The grow pot is pierced: it does the draining.
- Set the pots in the opening. Wedge them side by side. Depending on the model, all three do not always fit: the third pot then stands next to the vase, and the pair already makes a hairstyle.
- Water outside the vase. Take the pot out, water the soil over the sink, and let the water run out for about ten minutes.
- Put the drained pot back. The underside must no longer drip. The vase never receives water.
If a pot sticks out and shows, turn it so that the leaves hide it on the face side.
Watering: little, and only on dry soil
Do not water on a fixed date. Water when the soil is dry all the way down. To check, push a finger or a small wooden stick down to the bottom of the pot.
In practice, in a heated home:
- In spring and summer: about every two to three weeks.
- In autumn and winter: about once a month, or even less in a cool room.
When you water, water thoroughly, then let everything drain. This is the "soak and dry" rule: wet it right through, then wait for the soil to dry.
If in doubt, wait one more week. A thirsty succulent wrinkles, and it recovers. A drowned succulent rots, and it does not recover.
Light: near a window
Succulents like bright light. The Royal Horticultural Society advises a sunny windowsill all year round. So put the vase near a pane of glass, on a console table or a light-coloured shelf.
Two signs tell you the light is lacking:
- the plant stretches towards the window and its leaves grow further apart;
- its colours fade.
If so, move the vase closer to the window. Turn it a quarter turn from time to time, so that the hairstyle grows straight.
Mistakes to avoid
- Pouring water into the head of the vase. The water stays at the bottom.
- Putting stones at the bottom for drainage. They do not make the water leave: they hide it.
- Misting the leaves. A succulent drinks through its roots.
- Standing the vase in a dark bathroom. Too much damp, not enough light.
And if you prefer a decor with no water at all
The face vase also takes dried flowers, branches or artificial tulips. No watering. Our guide to dried flowers in a vase explains how to keep them looking good.
Face vases are also sold individually.
For a bigger succulent display, see our tutorial on the succulent terrarium. And to choose the model, the design vases page shows them all.
Sources
- How to grow cacti and succulent houseplants, Royal Horticultural Society
- Houseplant cacti and succulents, Royal Horticultural Society
- Succulent Container Gardens, University of Illinois Extension
- Vase manufacturer's technical data sheets (dimensions, materials)
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to take the succulents out of their pots to put them in the vase?
No. Keep them in their 6 cm grow pots, which are pierced. You set the pot in the opening of the vase, and you take it out to water. The vase stays dry.
How often should I water succulents in a face vase?
When the soil is dry all the way down: about every two to three weeks in spring and summer, about once a month in autumn and winter. If in doubt, wait.
Where should I put a face vase planted with succulents?
Near a window, in bright light. Succulents do not do well in a dark corner, far from the windows. Without light, they stretch and fade.
Do the three succulents always fit in the head of the vase?
Not always. The maker does not give the diameter of the opening. Depending on the model, two pots fit in the head and the third stands next to the vase.
Can I put something other than succulents in it?
Yes: dried flowers, branches or artificial tulips, with no water. Avoid a plant that needs permanently moist soil: the vase is not made for that.
