5 Types of Succulents to Plant in an Urn Planter

Urn planters offer a unique and elegant way to display your favorite plants, and succulents are among the best choices for these distinctive containers. With their drought-tolerant nature, shallow root systems, and stunning variety of colors and textures, succulents thrive in urn planters. Whether you’re creating a focal point for your patio or adding living art to your living room, the right succulent selections can transform a simple urn into a breathtaking display.

Why Plant Succulents in an Urn Planter?

Succulents and urn planters create a perfect partnership for both novice and experienced gardeners. The combination offers practical benefits while delivering exceptional visual impact.

• Perfect Drainage Compatibility: Succulents require excellent drainage to prevent root rot, and urn planters are naturally suited to provide this. The elevated design and drainage capabilities of quality urn planters ensure excess water flows away from succulent roots, mimicking their native arid environments, where water quickly drains through sandy or rocky soil. 
• Low Maintenance Needs: Succulents are known for their easy-going nature and require minimal care. They store water in their leaves, stems, and roots, allowing them to survive extended periods without watering. This makes them ideal for busy households or those new to plant care. In an urn planter, these low-maintenance plants can flourish with infrequent attention while maintaining their attractive appearance.
• Architectural Visual Appeal: From rosette-forming echeverias to trailing varieties like 'String of Pearls', succulents create living sculptures that enhance the decorative nature of urn planters. The vertical dimension of an urn also allows for creative layering and cascading arrangements. 

Types of Succulents to Consider for Your Plant Urn

Selecting the right succulent varieties ensures your urn planter remains beautiful throughout the seasons. Consider these popular options known for their adaptability and visual interest. 

• Echeveria

Echeverias form stunning rosettes in shades ranging from pale green to deep purple and pink. These compact succulents make excellent centerpiece plants in urn arrangements, providing symmetrical beauty and reliable growth. They tolerate a range of light conditions and produce charming flower stalks in spring and summer. 

• Sedum (stonecrop)

Sedum varieties offer incredible diversity, from ground-hugging spreaders to upright forms. Their tiny, fleshy leaves create textural interest, and many varieties produce seasonal color changes. Sedums are extremely cold-hardy compared to other succulents, making them suitable for year-round outdoor displays in many climates.

• String of Pearls

This trailing succulent features cascading strands of spherical leaves that resemble pearls on a string. When planted near the rim of an urn planter, the string of pearls creates a dramatic waterfall effect. This variety prefers bright indirect light and adds a whimsical element to any arrangement. 

• Jade Plants (crassula ovata)

Jade plants develop thick, woody stems and plump, oval leaves, creating a miniature tree-like appearance. They’re exceptionally long-lived and can develop into impressive specimens over time. Jade plants symbolize prosperity in many cultures and provide year-round interest in urn planters.

• Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum)

These hardy succulents form tight rosettes that multiply readily, creating clusters of “chicks” around the mother plant. They’re remarkably cold-tolerant and come in numerous varieties with different colors and leaf patterns. Their self-propagating nature ensures your urn planter remains full and vibrant.

Caring for Your Succulents in Your Urn Planter

Proper care ensures your succulents thrive for years. Follow these essential guidelines to keep your plants healthy and beautiful. 

• Use well-draining soil mix: Never use regular potting soil for succulents in urn planters. Instead, choose a specialized succulent and cactus mix or create your own by combining standard potting soil with coarse sand or perlite in a 1:1 ratio. This ensures rapid drainage and prevents water from pooling around roots.
• Water deeply, but infrequently: The soak-and-dry method works best for succulents. Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom of the urn, then wait for the soil to dry completely before watering again. During active growth in spring and summer, this might mean watering every 7-10 days. In winter, reduce frequency to every 3-4 weeks.
• Provide enough light: Most succulents thrive in bright sunlight, requiring 4-6 hours of sunlight daily. Morning sun with afternoon shade works well for many varieties. However, acclimate plants gradually to prevent sunburn if moving them from indoor to outdoor settings. Watch for signs of too much sun, such as brown or white patches on leaves, or too little sun, indicated by stretching or pale coloration.
• Ensure proper drainage: If your urn planter lacks drainage holes, add a layer of gravel or activated charcoal at the bottom before adding soil. Or, use a plastic pot with drainage that fits into the planter. However, planters with drainage holes are always preferable. Never let succulents sit in standing water, as this is the primary cause of root rot and plant death.
• Protect from extreme temperatures: While many succulents tolerate temperature fluctuations, most prefer temperatures between 60°F and 80°F. Protect tender varieties from frost by moving urn planters to sheltered locations or indoors during cold snaps. In extreme heat, provide afternoon shade to prevent heat stress. 

Browse Plant Urn Options from The Living Urn

The Living Urn offers a carefully curated selection of high-quality planter urns, specifically designed for growing living plants. Each urn is crafted to provide the drainage and space succulents need to flourish while adding timeless elegance to your home or garden. Whether you’re creating a memorial garden, enhancing your outdoor living space, or seeking a unique gift, The Living Urn’s plant urns provide the perfect vessel for your succulent displays. Explore the collection to find the ideal planter urn that combines functionality with beauty, creating a lasting tribute or stunning focal point that celebrates the resilience and beauty of succulent plants. 

References:

https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/cacti-and-succulents
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/common-and-popular-succulent-species