Succulents and shallow containers go together beautifully. Many succulent plants stay smaller, especially when growing indoors, and are well suited to growing in low pots. Today you’ll see me planting succulents in a shallow succulent planter along with sharing tips good to know about the process.
Succulents are usually sold in 2″, 3″, and 4″ grow pots. At these sizes, their root systems are compact and the plants are small and making them easy to plant in a shallow container. The handmade bronze metallic dish which you see in the thumbnail and further down in the post is barely 3″ tall.
Watch the video below so you can see how I plant the succulents in a shallow succulent planter:
Any succulent plants you buy in a small grow pot will be fine repotted into a shallow decorative pot for at least 6-12 months. The succulents that are best to grow for an extended period of time (more than a year) are ones that stay small and compact. You see some on the list in the thumbnail above.
My favorite succulent plants are ones that stay smaller and don’t spread too much and/or are slow growers. They are Haworthias (genus of the very popular Zebra Plant), Living Stones, Sempervivums (the rosette type succulents like the Hens & Chicks), Gasterias, Panda Plants, and some of the Echeverias and Crassulas.
There are many shallow planters, dishes, or bowls on the market you can buy. They’re available in an array of materials, shapes, colors, and styles. I find the majority of mine in Tucson because I like to shop locally although I have bought 1 or 2 on Etsy.
What are the best pots or the right pot? I say the ones that you like the best! I prefer terra cotta pots or ceramic pots when it comes to succulents. You can see the back of the cat planter which was given to me by my realtor after I moved into this new house. It was a bit of a challenge to plant in because the back of the planter is so low & sloped. I consider this different shape to be an awkward one to plant in!
I consider any shallow planter to be one with a height of 6″ or less. The width is up to you. Wider pot will allow you to use multiple succulents and create succulent gardens.
I don’t like to put small succulents in deep containers. They look out of scale, and with a larger soil mass, are subject to staying too wet which can lead to root rot.
I recommend buying planters and bowls with a drain hole (or 2 -3) on the bottom of the pots. This will allow any excess water to flow out.
Shallow pots with no hole(s) won’t allow much space for a bottom layer of rock to aid in the drainage factor. If you feel comfortable with drilling, you can create a hole or 2 if the pot doesn’t have any.
I’ve done a post on planting succulents in pots with no drain holes and will be updating it and adding a new video in next week. The few pots that I plant in with no drain holes are all deeper and larger, allowing for more drainage materials. Showing off my kitty cat planter a month or so after the planting. This Jade Gollum or Jade Hobbit (it’s hard to tell them apart!) is 1 of the more compact Jades so it’s great for shallow containers. Jades are suited for bonsai & root in fast & strong.
The best time to do the planting is spring and summer. Early fall is fine too if you’re in a climate with mild winters like me. As a general rule, I leave all my houseplants be in the winter months in regards to planting, pruning, and propagating.
Succulents in any sized pot, whether it be a large pot or a shallow container, do best in a special potting mix. I just did a post and video about succulent soil so you can refer to that for all the details.
In a nutshell, the mix you use should be well aerated and light, and most importantly have good drainage. It should not hold too much water or excess moisture, especially when planting in a shallow succulent planter. When planting in a low ceramic like this, I find it easier & less messy to do the job right in the tin bowl I’ve made
Do Succulents Have Shallow Roots? Everything You Need To Know
Succulents are popular houseplants that are known for being low maintenance. With their fleshy leaves and stems that store water, they are well adapted to survive in arid environments. But what about their root systems? Do succulents have shallow roots?
The answer is yes, most succulents have relatively shallow root systems compared to other plants. Understanding the unique characteristics of succulent roots can help you better care for these resilient plants.
In this article. we’ll take a closer look at
- The types of roots succulents have
- Which succulents have shallow roots
- How deep succulent roots grow
- Why shallow roots are beneficial
- How to choose the right pot size
- Common misconceptions
Let’s dig in!
Types of Succulent Root Systems
There are two main types of root systems seen in succulents:
Fibrous roots – Most succulents have fibrous roots, which consist of many thin, branching roots growing from the base of the plant. The roots grow horizontally and spread out shallowly near the soil surface.
Taproots – Some succulents have a taproot, which is one large, central root that grows straight down from the plant. Taproots help anchor the plant and access water deep in the soil.
Succulents With Shallow Fibrous Roots
The vast majority of succulents have shallow, fibrous root systems. Here are some of the most popular shallow-rooted succulents:
-
Echeveria – Rosette forming succulents, only about 2 inches deep.
-
Haworthia – Grow about 2 inches deep.
-
Sedum – Long fibrous roots but only 1-2 inches deep.
-
Aloe vera – Shallow but spreading roots.
-
Jade plant – Short roots about 2 inches deep.
-
Kalanchoe – Fine fibrous roots up to 6 inches deep.
-
Lithops – Extend about 2-6 inches deep.
-
String of pearls – Thin, delicate roots.
-
Hens and chicks – Shallow roots near soil surface.
Succulents preferring deeper pots:
-
Snake plant – Fibrous roots but can extend 12 inches deep.
-
Agave – Roots up to 12 inches deep.
-
Yucca – Taproot grows 12-18 inches deep.
How Deep Do Succulent Roots Grow?
Most succulents have relatively shallow roots, generally growing no more than 6 inches (15 cm) deep. Some exceptions are certain cacti and agave species that can have roots extending 1-2 feet deep.
Shallow roots are an adaptation to maximize absorption of rainwater in arid environments. The roots spread outward to quickly soak up water when it hits the soil.
Benefits of Shallow Roots for Succulents
The shallow roots of succulents provide several advantages:
-
Absorb rainwater quickly before it evaporates
-
Spread out widely to collect moisture from a larger area
-
Anchor the plant in rocky soils
-
Require smaller pots since roots don’t grow deep
-
Make propagation from cuttings easier
Choosing the Right Pot Size
When selecting a pot for shallow-rooted succulents, opt for a wide, shallow container. This mimics their natural habitat and prevents overwatering.
A depth of 4-6 inches is sufficient for most shallow-rooted succulents. Make sure the pot has drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.
Deeper pots work better for succulents with taproots or those that form a deep central stem. Aim for 8-12 inch depth for these varieties.
Misconceptions About Succulent Roots
Some common misconceptions about succulent roots include:
-
Succulents don’t need special soil – They require fast-draining cactus/succulent mix. Regular potting soil stays too wet.
-
All succulents have deep roots – Most have shallow, spreading root systems. Only certain kinds have taproots.
-
Small pots will restrict growth – Shallow pots suit most succulent’s roots just fine. Too large a pot can cause overwatering.
-
Succulents prefer to be rootbound – They may survive when roots fill a pot, but repotting encourages healthy growth.
By understanding the shallow nature of most succulent roots, you can choose suitable pots and soil to prevent overwatering. This allows these easy-care plants to thrive indoors or outdoors!
How to Plant Succulents in a Shallow Succulent Planter
It’s a good idea to watch the video at the beginning on this, especially if you’re a visual learner. The drainage holes are big & there are 3 of them, so they got covered with 1 layer of paper to prevent the mix from flowing out. I lay out the succulents in their grow pots to see how the arrangement looks before planting.
Succulent Care in Shallow Planters
The care is basically the same as for succulents in low pots except for a couple of things.
I water succulents in shallow planters a bit more often than those growing in large pots. The soil mass is much less, they’re often crowded in and tend to dry out faster.
I find using a small watering can with a narrow spout works best. I also use this bottle with a long neck for getting into tight spots in between the plants and it’s very easy to control the amount of water going in.
More on watering succulents indoors and 6 important things to know about growing succulents indoors. I filled the pot with succulent mix so it came up slightly below the top of the back. I angled the Jade Plant out because it wouldn’t stand straight up in the planter. This way it’ll fan out a bit too. I ended up putting a geode under the Jade Plant (it’s much heavier than the mix) so it would stay up & not flop down.
Is it better to grow succulents in shallow pots?
FAQ
Do succulents like shallow pots?
-
Natural Environment:Succulents naturally grow in environments where their roots spread horizontally rather than deeply.
-
Shallow Root Systems:Many succulents have shallow, fibrous root systems that are adapted to absorb moisture from the surface rather than from deep within the soil.
-
Drainage:Shallow pots allow for better drainage, preventing the soil from becoming waterlogged, which can lead to root rot, a common problem for succulents.
-
Mimicking Natural Conditions:Shallow pots mimic the natural conditions where succulents thrive, allowing their roots to spread and access moisture effectively.
-
Pot Size:A good rule of thumb is to choose a pot that is about 10% wider than the plant itself.
-
Pot Material:Clay pots and cement pots are more breathable and better suited for long-term succulent growth.
-
Drainage Holes:Ensure the pots have drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating at the bottom, which can lead to root rot.
-
Pot Depth:Rosette-like succulents benefit from garden pot depths ranging from 2 to 4 inches.
How deep should soil be for succulents?
If you are going to plant your succulents in the ground, make sure that you provide your succulents with at least six inches of this specialized soil.Aug 22, 2017
How shallow are succulent roots?
Sedum: Similar to Echeveria, Sedum features shallow, spreading roots, usually around 6-10 inches deep.Oct 17, 2024
Do succulents need deep roots?
While the roots of succulents are shallow, rooting them in a deep plant pot will prevent them from growing. Not only this, whenever you water them, the water will set at the bottom and the roots will rot due to too much moisture.