Upcycling Dinnerware with Succulents

One thing I noticed when I was unpacking was the number of mismatched dinnerware pieces we had. Back in Perth, Kyal and I only bought what we needed and when we needed it. As a result, we acquired plates, bowls and cups in various sizes, styles and amounts. While I didn’t want to ditch them all, I knew I wouldn’t use them once I bought my co-ordinated 6-piece dinning set. So my solution? Upcycling.

The bowl that I’m using in particular, I absolutely love. Honestly, if Kmart hadn’t changed their dinnerware range, I would’ve bought the extra four to make it a 6-piece set. But when I broke bowl #2 and was left with one, it seemed fitting to turn it into a pot for some of the succulents I’ve recently collected.

Supplies

  • Old dinnerware (e.g.  bowls, tea cups etc.)
  • Succulents
  • Succulent potting mix
  • Spade

Method

  1. Remove succulent from nursery pot, and remove as much soil from the roots as possible.
  2. If you’re planting several plants in one bowl-turned-pot, you may want to break up some of the roots. If it’s an individual succulent, try to keep the roots intact as much as possible.
  3. Before you place your succulents in the bowl-turned-pot, fill it with succulent potting mix, but not all the way. You’ll need to leave room for the roots and extra soil.
  4. Place the succulent in the bowl-turned-pot and nestle the roots into the soil before topping up with more soil.
  5. Wait a few days before watering, as it gives the roots a chance to heal and decreases the chance of root rot.

With a few more spare cups to fill, I can’t wait to gather a few more succulents and upcycle again!

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34 Comments

  1. September 24, 2017 / 7:12 am

    Ooh I love this idea! Something like this would fit percetly on my work desk. Thanks for an inspiration 🙂

    • September 24, 2017 / 9:24 am

      Anytime! It’s such a great way to upcycle and bring some beauty to a space x

  2. September 24, 2017 / 8:01 pm

    This idea is amazing, it’s so cool and I love this! :)Need to try this!

    • September 25, 2017 / 10:10 pm

      Thanks Zana 🙂 It’s such a fun little project x

  3. September 25, 2017 / 6:19 am

    That’s a great idea! I love succulents and cactus and my mother loves to do anything flower and plants related. She will love this surely! Thanks for sharing!

    • September 25, 2017 / 10:11 pm

      Anytime! Such a quick and easy project x

  4. September 25, 2017 / 3:20 pm

    I am going to apply some of these. I always thing succulents look chic.

    • September 25, 2017 / 10:12 pm

      I love succulents! They’re so easy to look after and add so much beauty and character to spaces x

  5. September 25, 2017 / 10:51 pm

    OMG I am definitely trying this! I love succs. I’m not that great at keeping them alive, but I do try haha. Great idea!

    • September 26, 2017 / 9:54 pm

      My first attempt with succulents failed miserably! I drowned it in water, and when my Mum told me to dry it out, I put it in direct sunlight and burnt it… woops! I find keeping them near a window sill and using a spray bottle to water them is the best way to keep them alive 🙂 x

  6. September 25, 2017 / 11:10 pm

    What a fab idea?! I have so many mismatched pieces of crockery. Love it!

    • September 26, 2017 / 9:55 pm

      It’s definitely a DIY that’s perfect for mismatched pieces! x

  7. September 26, 2017 / 1:01 am

    This is such an amazing idea! I have a mug on my desk that is currently full of pens, but I can see it looking so much nicer if I upcycled it like this. I might have to save this blog post for a rainy day!

    • September 26, 2017 / 9:57 pm

      I imagine it’ll look lovely! I’ve seen people upcycle old typewriters with succulents and they look amazing! x

    • September 26, 2017 / 9:57 pm

      It’ll definitely add some character to the kitchen! x

  8. September 26, 2017 / 5:20 am

    Very cute! I need to bring some of my succulents in for the winter before too long. This would be a fun way to display them.

    • September 26, 2017 / 10:03 pm

      I usually keep mine inside all year round because I killed my first ever succulent by putting it in direct sunlight! While Australia winters are no where near as freezing as Northern Hemisphere winters, it’s interesting how much the cold weather affects succulents! x

    • October 1, 2017 / 10:24 pm

      It’s a great activity on a rainy day! x

  9. September 27, 2017 / 4:16 am

    Oh, how cute! These sure are great pieces of in decoration. I should definitely try doing my own ones. 🙂

    • September 27, 2017 / 9:44 pm

      Succulents are my favourite type of decor! So easy to make, and even easier to look after! x

  10. September 27, 2017 / 4:24 am

    I love succulents and I love this idea. I have been looking for modern, stylish ways to add greeny into my home and once I have a bowl to upcycle, I will be doing this. Thanks for sharing!!

    • September 27, 2017 / 9:53 pm

      I find it so tricky to find plant pots that I like, so much easy to style when it’s DIY! x

  11. September 27, 2017 / 9:11 am

    This does look like a cool thing that you can do with your old kitchenware. I know succulents do pretty well with not too much soil. That’s great.

    • September 27, 2017 / 10:00 pm

      Very easy to look after! I usually keep them on the windowsill and spray them once or twice a week 🙂 x

  12. September 29, 2017 / 10:21 am

    I’m so pleased I came across your post as I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I’ve never considered up-cycling before! What a wonderful idea! When I think about it now, we have so many items at home that I could up-cycle…definitely going to try my hand at being creative!

    • October 1, 2017 / 10:24 pm

      I can’t believe it took me so long to upcycle as well! I’ve got so many mismatched tea cups and mugs and I know they’ll look beautiful with a succulent or two in them x

    • October 3, 2017 / 8:17 pm

      Growing up I never understood why my parents gardened so much… then I got my first succulent! Will probably invest in a small herb garden soon! x

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