Cute and Simple Succulent Containers for your Home or Office

Create cute and simple succulent containers for your home or office by transforming dollar store candleholders using painter’s tape and spray paint.

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What Inspired the Search for Cute Succulent Containers

A while back I received a small plant as a thank you gift. Since I was spending a lot of time in my home office during the pandemic, I decided to make a spot for my new plant on my desk. As it turned out, that little plant brightened up my workspace and made me smile when I looked at it. I’ve since learned that decorating with living plants has many other positive benefits too.

People who surround themselves with plant life and other forms of natural beauty, indoors and out, experience emotional and mental health benefits that have a positive impact on their social, psychological, physical, cognitive, environmental, and spiritual well-being.

McQuillan, Susan. “11 Ways Plants Enhance Your Mental and Emotional Health.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 14 Sept. 2019.

Because that one little plant made me a bit happier, I decided to add a few more to my workspace. I don’t have the greenest of thumbs, so I selected three easy-to-care-for succulents at my local home and garden store. For variety and to add visual interest, I chose plants with different shaped leaves and colors.

The Hunt for the Perfect Container

The plants originally came in 11 oz generic, plastic pots that needed to be replaced or hidden inside a better-looking container. Since I had been eyeing copper spray paint at the store for a while and looking for an excuse to buy it, I decided to make my own containers using copper and white paint. Plus, I knew that a simple copper and white combination would look perfect on the windowsill above my desk.

After deciding on the plants and planter colors, I still needed to find the right containers for my succulents. First I checked out the options at a local craft store, but nothing felt quite right. Since there was a Dollar Tree store next door to the craft store, I decided to pop in to check their merchandise. To my delight the store had the perfect containers for my little plants. I purchased four 3-inch Square Glass Candleholders (three for the succulents and one extra on which to experiment). What I especially liked about the candleholders was their simple shape; the shape would not compete with whatever design I decided to paint on them. In addition, the containers had a heavy base and felt solid.

Project Overview

I started by painting the containers white and then used painter’s tape to mask off designs for the copper paint. It was a quick and easy project and I loved the end result–cute and simple succulent containers! I’ve described the materials and steps in more detail below.

How to Make Cute and Simple Succulent Containers

Here’s What I Used

Materials

• 3-inch Square Glass Candleholders 
• Painter’s Tape

Stain/Paint

• Krylon FUSION ALL-IN-ONE Gloss White Spray Paint and Primer In One
• Krylon FUSION ALL-IN-ONE Gloss Copper Metallic Spray Paint and Primer In One

Tools

• Respirator
• Optional: Spray booth

Project Steps

Step 1 – Clean Containers

Clean and dry glass candleholders. I used regular dish soap.

Step 2 – Paint Base Coat (White Spray Paint)

I chose Krylon FUSION ALL-IN-ONE Gloss White Spray Paint and Primer In One because I wanted a glossy finish. This paint adheres to glass and does not require primer. Because paint vapors are harmful, I spray painted outdoors and wore a respirator appropriate for painting. When spray painting, you should work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area and read and follow the instructions on the can of spray paint.

Before applying the white spray paint, I shook the spray can vigorously for 1 to 2 minutes, per the instructions on my can. Next, I held the can about 8″ to 10″ away from the surface of the glass candleholders and covered the sides with a thin coat of paint using an even side-to-side motion.

I applied 3 coats of paint, letting each coat dry before adding the next coat of paint. This particular spray paint should be recoated within 2 hours or after 48 hours (I added the next coat within 2 hours of applying the prior coat).

To protect the surrounding area from overspray, I painted in a spray booth.

Step 3 – Mask with Painter’s Tape

After allowing the white paint to dry completely, I taped off my patterns with painter’s tape. Specifically, I covered anything I wanted to remain white with tape. I also covered the top to prevent copper paint from staining the inside.

The image above shows my second attempt. I first practiced on the extra candleholder that I purchased from the dollar store. Unfortunately, I did not wait long enough after applying the white paint before adding the tape. Because I did not let the paint dry completely, some of the white paint came off when I removed the tape. In addition, the tape left behind a texture in the remaining white paint. For the next three containers, I let them sit overnight before taping and painting with the copper spray paint. Ideally, I should have let it sit for 48 hours before applying the tape and copper paint.

Step 4 – Paint with Accent Color (Copper Spray Paint)

Similar to before, I shook the spray can for 1 – 2 minutes before starting to paint. Holding the can about 8″ to 10″ away from my target, I coated the sides using a sweeping, back and forth motion. I added three thin coats waiting for the paint to dry between coats.

Step 5 – Remove the Tape, Insert Plant, and Enjoy!

When the paint was dry to the touch, I removed the painter’s tape. I waited until the paint dried completely before inserting my three little succulents. They were the perfect cute and simple succulent containers for my home office!

These containers do not have watering holes in the bottom. Because I left the plants in their original containers, I can remove the plastic pots when the plants need watering and then return them to their decorative containers on my windowsill after they finish draining.

Other Uses for Adorable Succulent Planters

I really like the succulent pots on my windowsill. They bring a little of the outside into my home office and brighten up the space. These succulent containers also would look cute as centerpieces, particularly at a wedding where they also could function as wedding favors. The colors even could be changed to match the wedding colors. They would also work nicely in your on a side table, counter, or shelf in your home or office.

Where else could you use these cute and easy succulent containers as decorations? Do you find enjoyment from decorating with plants? If you haven’t yet, try adding some living plant to your primary workspace so you too can begin to experience the positive results.