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DIY Faux Succulent Frame

Over the past few years I have become increasingly a fan of succulents.  From DIY succulent wall hangings to terrariums to potted succulent plants, natural miniature greenery was suddenly all the rage! I saw them carefully planted in neat rows nestled within pallets at West Elm, adorning the tables of Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, and even serving as centerpieces at weddings I photographed.  I longed for the day when I could have a cute display of succulents of my very own…only there were two problems.  Problem one: I had no space for a plant arrangement to live in our construction zone house.  Problem two: I can’t keep any plants alive. 🙁

Luckily I was able to solve both of these problems and finally come up with a super adorable succulent display by designing my very own succulent frame to hang in my cubicle at work, as I shared in yesterday’s post.  Bonus- I created it using faux succulents.

This project definitely wasn’t cheap, but it was relatively easy once I got the materials assembled.  This tutorial is for faux succulents—I’m sure it could be adapted to real succulents—I just wouldn’t be the one to tell you how. 🙂 To start, assemble your materials:

I picked up all of this from Hobby Lobby.  I haven’t seen their succulents go on sale in several months—they are not included with the faux flower sales that are always going on.  Between the succulents weighing in at $3-6 a piece, it added up quick!  The frame is from the 50% off open stock frame sale which they had a few weeks ago (and is actually going on this week as well!).  The foam board is for scrapbooks and was found in the aisle with all the foam balls and shapes, not with the scrapbook paper.

Step one: Using a hot glue gun, glue the foam board to the back of your frame.  Depending on the size of your frame (mine has an opening that is 8×10) you may have to cut the foam smaller first.

Step two:  Again, using hot glue, glue the moss down.  Work in small sections and be careful…you can definitely burn yourself!! Make sure you tuck the moss underneath the frame so you don’t see any white foam board peeking through.

Step three: Cut the stems of the succulents down to about 1 1/2″, using wire cutters.

Step four: Arrange the succulents on top of the frame, and play with the arrangement until you find one that you like.

(Bonus tip: I didn’t want to spent $100 on succulents, so I found greenery that was included in the 50% off sale and turned them into succulent-like items.  To do this is simple—cut an individual stem, and run your fingers up it, sliding the leaves all up to the top, and cut off the excess stem.  This served as a great filler!)

Step five: Working in sections, lift the succulents one by one and squirt hot glue underneath them.  With one hand steadying the frame, use the other hand to push firmly down on the succulent until it pierces through the foam board and comes into contact with the glue.  Again, be careful—you don’t want the foam board to rip and fall apart!

Step six: Let dry overnight and enjoy! 🙂

I am already envisioning walls of these in our house.  I love this project…this might be a favorite DIY of all time.  It took me about an hour to complete, and I get compliments on it daily still at work!

What do you all think? If you make one, please share—I would love to see! 🙂

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Tania Griffis is an accomplished writer, blogger, and interior designer with a Journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma. She started her popular blog, Run to Radiance, in 2011, demonstrating her design expertise through the personal remodeling of six houses to millions of readers across the globe.

Tania also owns The Creative Wheelhouse, a respected ghostwriting agency for bloggers, further showcasing her talent for creating engaging and informative content.

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15 Comments

  1. i love succulents!! i have a fabulous wooden bowl i’d like to create an arrangement in… any suggestion where to purchase quality silk/faux succulents?? thanks in advance!!

    1. Hi Tara!
      That sounds beautiful! I found mine at Hobby Lobby- they are really nice looking, but definitely an investment. I spent about $40 on the ones in my frame, which is an 8×10. If you were very patient you could buy them one at a time using their 40% off coupon they always have, however! I also have heard great things about the ones here, but haven’t seen them in person myself. Hope this helps!! Would love to see it when you finish. 🙂

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