This sweet and succulent valentine is just what Dr. Love ordered for the winter blues. It’s a thoughtful way to brighten up someone’s day without all the extra calories. A colorful collection of succulent cuttings set in a heart-shaped candy box will surprise and delight your lucky loved one, and it’s also just the right size to root a collection of cuttings. Make your own DIY succulent cutting propagation tray for Valentine’s Day and these beauties will be ready to head out to the garden by the time the frost has passed.
It wasn’t easy, but I gave up sugar almost two years ago to help reduce the inflammation that was causing me to have Fibromyalgia flare ups. By “gave up sugar,” I mean that I stopped eating all sugar, honey, maple syrup, and fruit. I did it cold turkey and I haven’t had a taste since. When I say “It wasn’t easy,” it wasn’t just the cravings that were hard. I missed the celebrations that come with eating sugar. Two years worth of birthdays without even a bite of cake. Christmas cookies, pumpkin pie, and even cranberry sauce were left off my party plates. Since I love to celebrate, it has taught me to look for ways to treat myself without sugar.
It’s a good thing I’m a gardener, because there is really no end to the treats that can be found at a garden center! It’s hard to think beyond candy for decadent Valentine’s Day goodies. Of course, there are flowers and cards. I won’t turn down either of those. Just in case you are looking for the perfect gift for me this February, let me show you the way to my heart with this succulent valentine.
Materials
- Metal heart-shaped candy box with plastic insert
- Bamboo skewer
- Cactus and succulent soil
- Succulents (potted or cuttings)
- Small paintbrush
- Reindeer moss
Make it!
You can make a succulent valentine with either small succulents in pots or with cuttings (my preferred method). If you have some overwintering succulents or overgrown succulents in need of dividing, those will work well. When shopping for succulents, look for ones that are growing pups or have multiple stems. You can divide them up and root them for summer projects.
Remove all of the candy from the box and give it away. I won’t judge you if you eat it yourself! I know that’s what I will be doing when I’m able to indulge again.
Use the bamboo skewer to poke a hole in each one of the candy cells to provide some drainage.
Fill the candy tray with cactus and succulent soil mix and water it to give the water time to absorb before planting.
Prepare the Succulents for Planting
If you have potted plants, remove them from the pots and shake the soil off the roots. If the roots are long, give them a trim.
If you have plant divisions, remove them from the parent plant. Remove a few of the lower leaves to get a good stem to set into the soil. Allow these to dry for a few days before planting.
Arrange the succulents in the tray by varying color, shape, and size of the plants. Use a paintbrush to dust excess soil off of the leaves.
Fill in the spaces around the plants with reindeer moss to give the arrangement a finished look.
Care Instructions
Your succulent valentine is a great way to root and grow new succulents until they are ready to move to larger pots. Rooting them around Valentine’s Day in the house will mean they will have strong roots by May when they can be used for a whole variety of projects.
More Succulents!
What an awesome idea! Pinned to share and I can’t wait to find me a box to plant up. I am not supposed to be eating candy, but I will give it a go!
Great idea. I made a succulent pumpkin for October fun and potted up the babies that are now happily growing. This is just the ticket for winter doldrums! As far as your sugar woes, have you tried the natural, non caloric stevia or erythritol neither of which should affect you.
peut ton faire la même choses mais avec des semences de succulentes? J’ai une boite de chocolat avec le plastique et le couvert est transparent il pourrait servir de mini serre . si oui quand me conseillez vous de faire ma plantation et quel serait les outils pour bien réussir?
Bonjour Natie, I don’t start succulents from seed, only cuttings. Here is more on that: https://gardentherapy.ca/dividing-succulents/
Hi Stephanie! It’s Jan! I love this post. So clever. I preordered your book and can’t wait to get it. I noticed you gave up sugar due to inflammation, which has been debilitating to me the last six months. You really gave up all fruit? I am desperate enough to try it. How long did it take before giving up all sugar made a difference in how you felt? (I already have a pretty good diet with very little processed foods). Bravo on all you are doing!