how long will my creation live?

The lifespan of your succulent creation will vary quite a bit based on the type of project, the climate in which you live, and the varieties of succulents used. Some projects are meant to be temporary, but you can plant the succulents in a traditional container later and they’ll grow for years.

type of project

Some of the projects in this section are designed to be temporary, while others will grow and be healthy for a long time with proper care. Projects such as the Succulent-Topped Pumpkin, Long Table Centerpiece, Decorated Napkin Ring, Boutonnière, and Bouquet will generally last only a few days before they need attention and a more permanent container. The great thing is you can easily plant them in a pot when you are finished with your event. This is a great way for a bride to have something from her wedding for years to come.

Most of the other projects will generally grow for several years if they are maintained well. The Glass Terrarium will likely last for a few months before it shrivels up from lack of water or rots from too much, unless you add a drainage hole. You’ll need to maintain and care for your projects like you would a traditional potted arrangement. Make sure your succulents are getting the water, sunlight, and nutrients they need.

environment and care

Some of the temporary arrangements can be maintained for several days and even weeks if you give them extra attention. Your climate also has a big impact on how long they will live. In a slightly humid environment succulents can absorb water from the air, which helps to increase their longevity. You can also mist them from time to time to encourage some root growth. This will keep the succulents alive longer, but they won’t necessarily look as pretty as they did originally.

succulent variety

If you use thicker-leaved succulents in your temporary projects, they will be able to survive much longer than thinner-leaved succulents. Echeverias are a great example of succulents that can last for several days and even weeks without water. On the other hand, something like Portulacaria afra or Crassula arborescens undulatifolia will shrivel and die within two to four days in most places.

how long did the bouquet last?

The succulent bouquet created for this book used a variety of succulents. The Graptosedum ‘California Sunset’ lasted for about four weeks before looking really wilted. Most of the other succulents didn’t last as long. The Senecio haworthii lasted only about three days before starting to shrivel, and by the end of the week they were completely dried up.