Last Updated on September 8, 2022 by Diane Hoffmaster

If you love indoor gardening, you can upcycle candle jars into a DIY succulent garden. I like to reuse candle jars whenever I can to reduce my carbon footprint. I hate to throw them away or even just recycle them. Reusing them is a great way to save money on indoor gardening.

People love succulents, but often don’t have the space for a large plant. Succulents are perfect plants for people who want to have green plants in their homes, but don’t have a lot of space.

One way to grow succulents is in small jars. This is a great solution if you want to try your hand at growing succulents, or if you live in an apartment and don’t have a lot of room for plants.

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Reusing Candle Jars for a DIY Succulent Garden

While I try to buy reusable candle jars when I can, I inevitably am left with tons of old candle jars that need a new purpose.

I have been looking for ways to upcycle candle jars and found a lot of cute suggestions on Pinterest. Most of them showed how to upcycle candle jars into new candle holders but I was looking for something different.

I decided to upcycle candle jars into a DIY succulent garden and I think it turned out really cute!

How to Clean Wax out of Candle Jars

If you have never cleaned wax out of candle jars, you need to do that before you can upcycle candle jars into anything else.

Just turn your spent candle upside down in an 8 x 8 pan covered in foil. Then, put the pan in the oven set on low (200 degrees) until the wax is melted and has fallen out of the candle.

Remove the pan from the oven and let the candle jar cool for a minute or two. Wipe the interior with a paper towel and you are ready to upcycle candle jars into whatever you want!

Upcycling Jars for a DIY Succulent Garden

All you need to upcycle candle jars into a DIY succulent garden is your old candle jars, small stones, small succulents, and some loose potting soil.

Just put the rocks in first (less than an inch) and place your potting soil and succulents on top of the rocks. pressing the soil down gently.

You can place your candle jar succulent garden on a small plate to make watering easier or just set them direction on the windowsill.

Tips for Growing Small Succulents Indoors

Growing succulents is a fun hobby, even if you don’t have much of a green thumb. Here are a few tips for growing small succulents in your home :

1. Start with healthy plants: Small succulents are delicate, so it’s important to start with plants that are in good health. Check the leaves and stems for signs of pests or disease before you buy them.

2. Plant in well-draining soil: Succulents need well-draining soil in order to thrive. If your pot doesn’t have a drainage hole, be sure to add one before you plant. You can buy succulent soil for the best luck.

3. Water regularly: Succulents need to be watered about once a week, or when the soil is dry to the touch. Be careful not to over-water, as this can lead to root rot.

4. Give them plenty of light: Most small succulents need at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. If you don’t have a sunny spot in your home, you can grow them under fluorescent lights.

5. Don’t forget to fertilize: Small succulents need to be fertilized about once a month during the growing season. Succulent fertilizer is your best bet

6. Protect them from extreme temperatures: Small succulents are not frost-tolerant, so be sure to bring them indoors if the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to growing healthy and happy small succulents in your home.

Best Small Succulents To Grow Indoors

Not all succulents will grow well in small jars. You need to choose small succulents that won’t grow too large. Here are a few different succulents you might want to try growing.

1. String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

2. Baby toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla)

3. Living stones (Lithops sp.)

4. Haworthia cooperi

5. Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi

6. Gasteria bicolor

7. Crassula perforata

8. Sedum morganianum

9. Aeonium haworthii

10. Echeveria elegans

These are just a few examples of small succulents that can be grown in containers indoors.

Be sure to do your research to find the best plants for your specific needs and environment.

With a little care, you can have a beautiful and healthy indoor succulent garden. And a a lot fewer small jars in your recycling bin.

More Easy Home Decor Ideas

Looking for more easy home decor projects that won’t break the bank? Try a few of these!

3 Christmas Candle Decorating Ideas that Take Less Than 5 Minutes to Make!
DIY Terra Cotta Coasters Give Your Table a Fresh Look for Spring!
Guest Bedroom Ideas To Make Company Feel at Home

How To Make This DIY Succulent Garden

Succulents are easy to grow and can live indoors or out, provided they get plenty of sun. Plus, they come in so many varieties that you will never run out of new succulents to plant in tiny jars.

Supplies:

Old candle jars with wax cleaned out
Newspaper
Small stones
Small succulents. Check out this collection of 20 live mini succulents.
Potting soil
Spoon for dirt if desired

Instructions:

Place clean stones in the bottom of the candle jar to less than 1 inch deep

Place potting soil on top of stones

Add small succulents and fill the remainder of the jar with more soil

Water gently and set in a sunny windowsill

Yield: 1