Dry Bottle Garden (Plant Cacti and Succulents in a Wine Bottle)

Put those empty wine bottles to work as containers for cacti and succulents.

All you need is an empty bottle, a well-drained potting mix and a few small succulents. Cut an opening into the side of the bottle or purchase a precut bottle.

Place gravel on the bottom for added interest. Keep in mind that once excess water fills the gravel base the soil can become water logged and lead to root rot. So water carefully.

Fill with a well drained potting or cacti and succulent mix. My friends and authors of Planting Designs for Cactus and Succulents recommend mixing dark horticulture sand for drainage into a potting mix without perlite. You’ll have a more aesthetically pleasing display.

Plant your wine bottle garden and place on a support to prevent your garden from rolling off the table. One simple method uses two corks and strong wire to create a cradle for your bottle garden.

A bit more information: For more ideas on displaying cacti and succulents see Planting Designs for Cactus and Succulents by Sharon Asakawa and John Bagnasco with Shaun Buchanan and Robyn Foreman.