One of my favorite outdoor projects I’ve made is this colorful cinder block succulent garden. I love the color mixed with the concrete mixed with the different shapes and textures of the succulents. After being introduced to a new crafting cement mix at a blog conference in April, I knew that I wanted to create a mini version of my succulent garden that’s perfect for a desk or coffee table. It turned out cuter than I can imagined! And by using faux succulents, there is no need to
worry about this garden turning brown.

Okay, so I may be partial to mini things (did you all ever have an obsession with doll house furniture like me?), but I am so in love with this mini garden! Forget the mini zen garden of
the past, this colorful little garden is sure to brighten your mood and your
desk. Follow along for the full tutorial on how to make your own mini succulent garden. But if it seems like too much work for you, you can get your own pre-made kit right here in my etsy shop.

The Supplies:

Begin by making your mini cinder blocks. To do this you will
want to add about 1/2 cup of cement to the plastic cup. Then add about 1 tbsp.
of water and mix with the popsicle sticks to get a nice slurry. Pour this
mixture into the cinder block mold and gently tap the mold on a hard surface to
get rid of any air bubbles. Use the popsicle stick to wipe off any excess
cement so that you can see the middle pieces of the mold showing through.

Once the cinder blocks are dry (about 1-2 hours), remove
them from the mold, and make two more sets so that you have a total of 12
cinder blocks.

Use your painter’s tape to tape off the cinder blocks on the
diagonal and paint with your acrylic paint. Remove the tape and continue on
until all of your blocks are painted in an assortment of colors.

Now simply assemble your garden any way you see fit and
place the mini succulents in the open spots. Viola! You have the cutest little
succulent garden ever!

This would be such a great gift for a recent grad to keep in
their new office, or that graphic designer friend of yours, or really anyone
who needs a bit of color in their life or on their desk!

Special thanks to Joann Fabric and Craft Stores for sponsoring this post which originally was posted on their blog, The Creative Spark.