Deborah Chan
Succulents are an increasingly popular choice for wedding bouquets due to their versatility, affordability, and longevity. With their thick, fleshy leaves and variety of colours and textures, succulents can add visual interest and a unique touch to any bridal bouquet. They are also easy to care for and can be replanted after the wedding, providing a lasting memento of the special day. When incorporating succulents into a bouquet, it is important to consider the overall floral arrangement, including balance, colour, and theme, as well as choosing the right succulent species and pairing them with complementary flowers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popularity | Succulents have gained popularity in recent years due to their hardiness and low-cost alternative to flowers. |
| Appearance | Succulents have thick, fleshy leaves and come in a variety of colours, shapes, and textures. |
| Care | Succulents require less water and sunlight than flowers, making them easy to care for. However, harsh direct sunlight should be avoided to prevent scorching. |
| Floral Arrangement | Floral arrangement is crucial, considering balance, colour, dominance, scale, and texture. |
| Pairing | Succulents can be paired with flowers like roses, lilies, dahlias, scabiosa, ranunculus, and hypericum to add visual interest and refinement. |
| Sourcing | Succulents can be sourced from local stores, online delivery options, or grown indoors with grow lights. |
| Cost | Succulents are budget-friendly, starting at approximately $8, while larger varieties can cost up to $25. |
| DIY | Succulents can be used in DIY projects like bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, and hairpieces. |
| Planting | Succulents from bouquets can be planted after the wedding, creating lasting memories. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right succulent species
Succulents are a great addition to wedding bouquets due to their hardiness and low-maintenance nature. They come in a variety of colours, shapes, and textures, making them versatile for different wedding themes and colour schemes. Here are some tips for choosing the right succulent species for your wedding bouquet:
Echeveria
The Echeveria genus is one of the most widely used succulent groups for wedding bouquets. They feature small rosette clusters that come in bright colours. Some species within this genus produce flowers, giving you two types of flora in one plant. The rosettes can range from violet, as seen in the Dusty Rose species, to bluish, as in the Mexican Snowball species.
Cactus
Cacti are similar to succulents and can add an interesting texture to your bouquet. However, due to their spikes and thorns, they require careful handling. Some cactus species are thornless, making them a safer option.
Colour and Texture
When choosing a succulent species, consider the colour scheme and theme of your wedding. Succulents come in various shades of green, from light dusty green to dark green, and even burgundy. Pairing dark green succulents with burgundy calla lilies, for instance, can create a woodsy fall wedding vibe. Light green succulents combined with white hydrangeas result in a classic look.
Size
Depending on your bouquet size preference, you can choose from a variety of succulent sizes. Smaller succulents like Perle von Nurnberg, with its grayish leaves, can add a delicate touch, while larger varieties can give your bouquet a dramatic pop.
Hardiness
Succulents are known for their low-maintenance needs, but it is important to consider their care requirements, especially if you plan to plant them after the wedding. Succulents prefer a climate with low humidity and grow best in dry conditions. They require about six hours of sunlight daily but avoid harsh direct sunlight as it can scorch the leaves. During fall and winter, their water needs decrease as they enter a resting period.
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Floral arrangement
- Avoid making the bouquet appear lopsided or too heavy on one side.
- Ensure the colours complement the person carrying the bouquet.
- Maintain a consistent theme throughout the bouquet.
- Avoid making a handheld bouquet too big to handle.
- Pay attention to the foliage as well as the focal flower.
Succulents are a versatile choice for wedding bouquets as they come in a variety of colours, shapes, and textures. They are also low-maintenance, hardy, and long-lasting. When choosing succulents for your bouquet, consider the following:
- Succulents have thick, fleshy leaves that may require support. You can wire them to a stick to create a faux stem, providing structure and allowing them to stand tall in the bouquet.
- Succulents can be used as an accent or as the main feature of the bouquet. Combining succulents with flowers can create a unique and elegant look.
- Choose succulents that complement your wedding's colour scheme and theme. For example, dark green succulents with burgundy calla lilies for a fall wedding or light green succulents with white hydrangeas for a classic look.
- Consider the size of the succulents and how they will fit into your bouquet. You may need a variety of sizes depending on your arrangement.
- Succulents can be combined with flowers such as dahlias, scabiosas, ranunculuses, hypericums, and billy balls to create a warm and colourful bouquet.
- If you are using cacti, be mindful of their spikes and thorns, and choose varieties without sharp spines.
- Succulents can be saved and planted after the wedding, providing a lasting memory of the special day.
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Wiring succulents to a bouquet
Succulents have become increasingly popular in wedding bouquets due to their hardiness and low cost. They can be given little to no water and still maintain their appearance.
- Start by choosing the right succulent. Among the most widely used succulents are those from the genus Echeveria, which feature small rosette clusters in bright colors.
- Insert a green, wooden florist pick into the base of the succulent. You may need to remove a few bottom leaves to access the short stem.
- Secure the succulent to the pick by adding wire, just as you would for a boutonniere.
- Tape up the wired succulent, ensuring you cover the mechanics of the wire. A useful taping tip is to start taping a little lower on the stem, wrapping the tape upwards, and then back down again to secure the stem and fully cover the wire.
- To add length to the succulent, tape it to another stem, such as a discarded rose stem. Ensure the stem is facing the right way before taping.
- Repeat these steps to wire additional succulents, creating a stunning bouquet.
With proper wiring, you can include succulents in your wedding bouquet, adding a unique and modern touch to your special day.
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Colour schemes and pairings
When creating a wedding bouquet with succulents, it's important to consider the colour scheme and overall aesthetic of your wedding. Succulents come in a variety of colours, ranging from different shades of green to reddish and near-black hues, and even gold.
For a classic look, pair light green succulents with white hydrangeas. If you're having a fall wedding, dark green succulents combined with burgundy calla lilies or Perle von Nurnberg will create a woodsy feel. For a spring or summer garden wedding, a vibrant bouquet of bright coral, pink, and green can be achieved by pairing succulents with dahlias, peonies, roses, and ranunculus.
If you prefer a more delicate and dreamy bouquet, combine succulents with all-white blooms such as ranunculus, lisianthus, and garden roses. For a natural garden bouquet, add natural foliage, protea, and scabiosa pods. To complement a rustic wedding theme, fill a wooden box with florals that fit your design scheme and accent them with succulents.
To add a touch of greenery to your bouquet, succulents can be paired with greenery, feathers, or twine. For a unique and whimsical look, combine succulents with other flowers and greenery, such as eucalyptus leaves, roses, or other small flowers. To create a bold and colourful bouquet, consider adding pink ranunculus, white anemones, billy balls, or peach garden roses.
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Planting and replanting succulents
Reasons for Replanting Succulents
There are several reasons why replanting succulents is necessary:
- Overcrowding: Over time, succulents can outgrow their current pots, and replanting them in larger pots provides the necessary space for continued growth and development.
- Nutrient Uptake: Fresh soil provides a new supply of essential nutrients that succulents need to thrive.
- Root Health: Replanting allows you to loosen compacted soil, promoting better root aeration and overall plant health.
- Pest Inspection: When replanting, you can closely inspect the root system and address any hidden pest infestations before they cause significant damage.
- Disease Prevention: Replanting gives you the opportunity to check for root rot or other diseases, allowing early intervention to protect the plant's health.
- Improved Drainage: Fresh, well-draining soil prevents waterlogging and associated issues like root rot.
Timing of Repotting
It is recommended to repot succulents every two years, but this may vary depending on the specific conditions and growth of the plant. Repotting should be done when the plant has outgrown its current pot, with roots filling the pot or growing out of the drainage holes. It is important to avoid repotting during the plant's dormancy or when it is in bloom, as this can disrupt the growing cycle. For summer-dormant succulents, repot in the fall, and for winter-dormant succulents, repot in the spring.
Choosing the Right Pot and Soil
When replanting succulents, choose a pot that is large enough to accommodate the plant's root system. Ceramic and terracotta pots are excellent choices as they allow the soil to dry out more quickly than plastic pots. Always select pots with drainage holes to prevent water accumulation and the risk of root rot.
The potting medium should be porous with excellent drainage. A special succulent and cactus potting mix is ideal, and it is best to use a similar type of potting medium as the plant has been previously growing in to avoid transplant shock.
Replanting Process
- Prepare the Plant: Water the plant moderately a day or two before replanting. Remove any dead leaves from the base of the plant and around the roots.
- Remove from Old Pot: Turn the plant sideways and gently pull it out by grasping it at the base of the stem. If it is stuck, tap the bottom of the container, wiggle it, or loosen it by poking a stick through the drainage holes.
- Prepare the Roots: "Tickle" the roots to loosen them, and gently remove as much of the old soil from the roots as possible. Trim any dead, broken, or overly long roots.
- Fill the New Pot: Place loose soil from the roots into the new pot and fill it to about two-thirds with fresh potting mix.
- Position the Succulent: Place the succulent in the center of the new pot, ensuring that the leaves are all above the soil level to prevent rotting.
- Cover the Roots: Completely cover the roots with the potting mix, patting it down gently.
Additional Considerations
- When dealing with succulent arrangements, the roots of different plants may be entangled. Try to loosen them with your fingers, and remove the potting mix between the roots to help separate them.
- If you are replanting a succulent into the ground, carefully remove the old soil from the roots, as it may not be suited for succulents.
- Breaking up large root balls and removing some roots before replanting is acceptable and encourages new growth.
- Avoid overwatering succulents, as this can lead to waterlogging and root rot.
By following these steps and considerations, you can successfully plant and replant succulents, ensuring their health, growth, and longevity.
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Frequently asked questions
You can either make a wedding bouquet with succulents yourself or enlist the help of a professional florist. If you decide to make it yourself, you can use florist picks, wire, and tape to secure the succulents to a stem. You can also use a vase of water to keep the flowers fresh.
Succulents come in a variety of colours, shapes, and sizes. Some popular types include Echeveria, Perle von Nurnberg, Mexican Snowball, Dusty Rose, and Cactus. You can also use air plants instead of succulents.
Succulents pair well with a variety of flowers, including roses, peonies, dahlias, scabiosa, ranunculus, hypericum, and hydrangeas. For a woodsy fall wedding, you can combine dark green succulents with burgundy calla lilies. For a classic look, pair light green succulents with white hydrangeas.
