Mediterranean Succulent Containers

I’ve been excited to write about succulent containers since I snapped the above picture outside a cathedral in Moneglia, Italy. This tiny town, set picturesquely on the Italian Riviera, was full of succulent inspiration. Outoor cafes, storefronts, and the beautiful brick archways that lead to the beach all sported succulent plantings. Its a less common style for containers, where full blossomed beauty is prevalent. The stark, geometric appearance has come to be associated with “modern” design. But instead of considering them modern, why not think of them as Mediterranean? Their simplicity emulates all things Mediterranean, with few blooms and an emphasis on texture. Water wise and full-sun loving, succulents thrive in containers providing maximum impact for minimal effort. There’ll be no need for dead heading or heavy fertilizing here, just a willingness to venture from petunias and marigolds.

Here’s a Few Ideas

Keep Containers Simple

Clean lines and block colored containers rather than busy patterns add emphasis to the plant material. Low-bowl planters with wide mouths accomplish the same goal. For my succulent planter pick, check out Terrain’s Hypertufa container.

The More the Merrier

Don’t be afraid to pack in the plants. Most succulents aren’t amazingly fast growers so overcrowding isn’t an issue. The different geometric forms and unique architecture, for which succulents are well known, is extremely eye catching when clustered.

Remember Textures & Hues

Because succulents aren’t planted for their prolific blooms, add variation to your container through different textures and hues. The possibilities for texture variance are many: prickly, smooth, pubescent {botanical term for fuzzy or slightly hairy plants}, and waxy to name a few. The dominant color of succulents is {no surprise} green, but hues can vary from chartreuse to olive. Shades of blue and grey are common as well, and tinges of red, purple, and orange {see Euphorbia ‘firesticks’} add interest and flashes of color.

Pictured above: succulent displays in Paris, Barcelona, Valencia, & Rome