Succulent Picture Frames from Goodwill Find

While at Goodwill the other day I found these two picture frames and just knew they would make great succulent planters.  When looking for picture frames that can easily be recycled into succulent planters look for shadow boxes or picture frames that are fairly deep, because you will need to add soil to your planter.  

Here is what you will need:

Picture Frame

Water Sealer

Soil

Hardware Cloth

Various Succulent plant cuttings

Caulk or glue

Scissors or wire snips

Duct Tape (optional)

Here are the steps:

1. Find a picture frame (Goodwill and other thrift stores are great sources).  You then need to take apart the frame.   Recycle glass, but make sure to keep frame and the backing of picture frame.  Spray or paint anything that is wood with a water sealer.

2.  Using a scissors or wire snips cut hardware cloth to fit inside of the picture frame.  I then caulk around the frame and add the wire inside the frame.  I sometimes will put something heavy on wire to keep it in place until caulk dries (usually 24 hours).

3.  Once caulk is dry place the back on the picture frame.  You may have to caulk the backing on to the picture frame if it doesn't have metal tabs to keep it in place.

4. This picture frame I had to caulk into place.  I had put duct tape on it just to keep it in place until caulk dried.

5.  Next fill the picture frame with soil.  You don't want to use any kind of moisture retentive soil, since succulents like it dry and can rot if they are too wet.  You also want to make sure to really pack the soil into the frame, as it will compact as time goes by.

6. Then start adding your succulent cuttings in any pattern you see fit.

7.  Then set picture frame in shade for a few weeks while cuttings take root.

This is another shadow box frame I found at Goodwill that day, and here is it's transformation.