Once home, I changed my mind. The brown paper – as cool as it looks – probably isn’t very practical for watering and I wasn’t sure how to get around that issue.
Then one day, I had this weird idea: plant the springtime succulents in eggshells! I know, strange. But I’ve seen wheatgrass grown in shells for spring and thought maybe my cute plants would be a fun twist on that idea.
The process is a bit self-explanatory, but I took photos as we planted with a few tips. I did this one with my No.2 and it was a great Sunday afternoon let’s-get-our-hands-just-a-little-bit-dirty activity to do with him.
HERE’S WHAT YOU’ll NEED:
cracked eggs, washed out and dry / small pebbles / needle / small succulents
STEP ONE: poke hole in bottom of egg
I just used a regular needle, but I remember doing this with my mom to blow eggs and we used a large upholstery needle. Whatever you have on hand will be fine. If you’re using a small needle, wiggle it around to open up the hole a little bit. Beware: the eggshells are thick at the bottom and so you may wreck a few while poking the holes. I suppose you don’t even have to do this step, I’m just assuming it’s a good idea for drainage. Up to you.
STEP TWO: add small pebbles to the bottom of egg
This will help with draining (in theory).
STEP THREE: pull apart succulents
The little plants usually come in groups of three or so in each small pot. Just gently pull them apart, keeping roots intact.
STEP FOUR: place plant in shell + fill in with soil
And that’s it!
It was fun to try out all the different shapes and textures of plants.
I kept the original egg carton to display them in (I just lightly water the whole thing in the kitchen sink and the egg carton does fine), and also put a few in a ceramic egg carton (from Anthropologie).
Cute, yes? And maybe a little odd. But I’m okay with that.
Succulents are supposedly very low-maintenance, but I have a way with killing most plants that I bring into our home. I did a little research and here’s what I found to help us keep these beauties happy:
TIPS FOR KEEPING SUCCULENTS ALIVE INDOORS
1. Keep in sunny places – they are a desert plant and thrive in sun and dry climates.
2. Let them dry out completely before watering.
3. Bright green plants are easier to keep alive – steer clear of the purple, grays and oranges if you’re looking for indoor success.
I will be doing this project with my little guy for sure!! One change though to make it a little more fun. Even though my fridge is filled with brown eggs (so surely I’ll do a few of those) I also have white…Time to get out Easter egg dye!! I’ll let him pick some colors and make a handful to brighten things up around here!
Thanks for such a lovely idea!
Just ordered wheat grass too, to plant in a few pretty dishes and top with cloches :)
Spring is in the air!
I never realized that the gray and purple ones were harder to keep alive. I thought it was me! I’ve replaced my pretty purple/gray succulent twice now and it keeps dying. The green ones are going strong. Of course the purple/gray are my favorite… It’s still cheaper to replace them every 4 months than to buy flowers all the time. I’m just glad to know it’s not me and my black thumb!!
Love this idea. I just started collecting information and ideas on planting succulents. I sent an arrangement of these in a subtle, understated beach theme (real shells and driftwood – ) twice this year to friends who lost a loved one and found the beach a place of peace and joy. I plan to incorporate in my home.
Great idea! Must try… Thanks!!! =)
I have some vintage egg cups for boiled eggs. A new use! Would be adorable. I even have some larger succulent plants I can trim. Thanks for the idea.
Fun idea, Emily. I planted succulents in mini pumpkins (after I had spray painted them white and added gold designs), and they were a different, unexpected way to display them too.
On that same note, although the brown shells are a great neutral base, they sure would be fun glittered or spray-painted too.
Oh dear. As if I needed an excuse to go to Hobby Lobby.
Such a wonderfully simple and great idea to do with my grandchildren! So I say done, and done, woohoo!
Great idea! I never think of these things. I have this exact ceramic egg carton that sits around collecting dust; I’ll have to give this a try..
Different? Yes. But cute? Totally adorable. Love succulents, they’re super hardy plants.
Thanks for the post hun!
xox
Love this idea!! I haven’t had luck with succulents but I’m going to give this a try! Thanks for sharing! :)
What a cute display! Living in Texas, succulents are my go-to plant to withstand the blazing heat and drought conditions in the summer. Thanks for the idea!
I love this idea! It looks so cute! But although the the process seems self explanatory it looks like the eggs are cracked a little different than I normally do! Lol it seems I need to be intentional to only crack open the top
Finally, something to do with ceramic egg cartons, I think they are adorable, but have no idea what to do with them. It would be fun to see a follow-up in a couple months since those things are slow-growing.
Love this and I’m definitely going to try it!
I can not keep them alive!! For awhile it was the plants or the kids but now I seem to be doing okay with both, just not succulents – ever! But I love the look of this – how fun! Perfect for Spring!