Succulent Bird Cage

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“You know you’re a gardener when everything you see becomes a planter.“   

– Unknown 

With a little creativity, gardeners sometimes create new trends from unexpected places. One of the latest trends in container gardening is repurposing antique bird cages to house stunning arrangements of succulents. The two are perfect for each other: a vintage birdcage has a nostalgic vibe to it, which works well with the eclectic beauty of succulents. This is a project that promises to turn heads. Most Missouri garden centers haven’t even jumped on this trend yet. There may not be any pre-planted cages to buy, but we do carry all the supplies to make one and you may even end up doing some DIY to create your own unique masterpiece. It’ll be worth it for your totally personalized, statement-making living decor.

This is a project that promises to turn heads. Most garden centers haven’t even jumped on this trend yet. There may not be any pre-planted cages to buy, but we do carry all the supplies to make one and you may even end up doing some DIY to create your own unique masterpiece. It’ll be worth it for your totally personalized, statement-making living decor.
 

What You Need:

First, you’ll want to find a bird cage that you love. An antique mall is a perfect place to find your container! Try to find one with at least a 1” lip at the bottom for the best results. You can find some great bird cages at our locations, such as our greenhouse in Lee’s Summit. In addition to your cage, you’ll need:

• Succulents

• Coco Liner

• KVG Good Stuff Potting Soil, or another brand that drains well

Picking Your Succulents:

You’ll want to plant 1 succulent for every 2” of diameter in your cage. For example, if your cage is a foot across, it can fit 6 plants (12” d. divided by 2” = 6). For these larger cages, you can use the “thriller, filler, spiller” guideline that is used for container gardening. With enough room to make a display, you can choose a plant as a centerpiece, some low profile fillers, and something to trail out of your cage. You can find great examples of each at any plant nursery in Lee’s Summit. Our recommendations are:
 

Thrillers: Blue Chalksticks, Blue Ice Plant, and Bulbine all have striking shapes that make for good statement plants. 

Fillers: Rosette succulents (Echeverias) are the real stars of a succulent container. They have a range of colors and grow in beautiful clusters. Sedums, Crassulas, and other low profile succulents are great to add to the mix.

Spillers: The first choice for a trailing succulent is String of Pearls. They can hang quite bit, while taking up very little room in your container. Ice Plants are a great option too, because they have a succulent texture AND the added bonus of small bright blooms. If you’re patient, you could also consider using Donkey Tail and other sedums, or wait for the other succulents in your container to send runners out of the cage. Other options could include something like  ‘Purple Heart’ setcreasea or variegated vinca vine. These add a cool vibe to your container, but still allow it to grow without much water.

DIY:

Your birdcage is a container - your succulents will have all the same needs in a birdcage as they do in any other container. Here’s how to set up your birdcage:

1. If your container has a solid bottom, you’ll want to drill holes for drainage. 

2. Cut a circle of coco liner that will fit the floor of your birdcage. Then cut a 4-5” wide strip to fit around the sides to create a “dish” to hold your soil.

3. Add potting soil.

4. Plant your succulents. We recommend starting at the center and working your way out.

5. Add a personal touch like an unusual rock or favorite fairy garden fixture, or simply top dress with fine gravel or moss to finish the look.

Birdcages and Beyond

A birdcage is simply a gorgeous style of container for your succulents. Imagine an old wire basket, a wooden cheese box or dresser drawer, even an old Tonka truck! You may have the perfect container for a gorgeous, unique and fun succulent garden right under your nose. If you don’t, visit us at one of our locations, like our garden center in Lee’s Summit, to find the perfect ornamental vessel for your succulents.