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Welcome to the Garden Club!
Thank you so much for joining us at our recent succulent workshop! It was such a joy to watch you bring your unique botanical vision to life. Whether you crafted a tiny desert landscape at our Succulent Bar, "mossed up" a living Wreath or mastered the art of the Kokedama,
your new plant friend is a piece of living art.
To ensure your creation thrives for years to come, we’ve put together this Master Care Guide. Simply find your specific arrangement below for tailored advice on light, water, and seasonal love.
We can’t wait to see how your greenery grows!
Click on your creation below for care tips! Feel free to always come back for a refresher!
Potted Succulent Bar Creations
The perfect introduction to indoor gardening.
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The Light Balance: Succulents crave bright, indirect light. Think of a room that feels "sunny" but where the sun doesn't directly hit the leaves. If your plant starts "stretching" (growing tall with wide spaces between leaves), it’s telling you it needs a brighter home.
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Mastering the "Soak & Dry": The #1 rule for potted succulents is to let the soil dry out completely between waterings. When the soil feels like dust, give it a thorough soak. If your white terracotta pot doesn't have a drainage hole, use a small measuring cup to add just 2-3 tablespoons of water every few weeks to avoid pooling at the bottom.
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Seasonal Shifts: During the winter, succulents go dormant and need significantly less water, sometimes only once a month. Always "read" the leaves; if they look plump, they are full of water!
Succulent Glass Terrariums
Terrariums are beautiful, but because they lack drainage holes, they require a "less is more" approach. In Colorado where evaporation happens fast, water trapped at the bottom can cause rot.
The "Targeted" Watering Method
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No Soaking: Never pour a cup of water into a terrarium. Since there is no drainage, the water will sit at the bottom and rot the roots.
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The Tool: Use a large syringe or a squeeze bottle to apply water directly to the base of each succulent.
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The Schedule: In Colorado’s dry winters, aim for a small drink every 2 weeks. In the summer, check every 10 days.
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The "Clear View": If you see fog or condensation on the glass, do not water. This means there is already plenty of moisture inside the "micro-climate."
The Light Source
Succulents crave bright, indirect sunlight to maintain their compact shape and vibrant colors; for the best results, place your terrarium near a south or east-facing window where it can receive at least 6 hours of light, and be sure to rotate the glass occasionally so every side of your miniature landscape stays lush and prevents the plants from 'stretching' toward the sun.
The "No-Cook" Zone
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Glass Acts Like a Magnifier: Never place a glass terrarium in direct, hot sunlight. It acts like a magnifying glass and can literally "cook" your succulents.
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Airflow: Every few weeks, give the plants a gentle "puff" of air or keep them in a room with a ceiling fan. This prevents the stagnant air that leads to mold.
Pro-Tip for All Colorado Succulents
The "Heater Season" Warning: From October to April, our home heaters suck the moisture out of everything. If your plant is sitting near a vent, it will need water twice as often. Move your living art at least 3 feet away from any heat source!
Succulent Wreath Care
Because we live in a high-altitude, low-humidity climate, your wreath needs a specific "rooting" schedule to thrive.
Follow these steps to ensure your succulents stay lush and healthy.
Phase 1: The "Scab" Week (Days 1–7)
DO NOT WATER. Since your wreath was made with fresh cuttings, the stems need to "callus" (form a scab).
In our dry Colorado air, this happens quickly. If you soak the moss too soon, the raw stems may rot.
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Placement: Keep your wreath indoors in a spot with bright, indirect light (an East-facing window is ideal).
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Warning: Keep it away from forced-air heating vents! Our winter heaters will shrivel new cuttings before they can root.
Phase 2: The Rooting Period (Weeks 2–4)
LIGHT MISTING. Your cuttings are now looking for a drink. They will begin sending out tiny pink or white "hair roots" into the moss.
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Action: Once a week, lightly mist the surface of the moss with a spray bottle.
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The "Tug Test": Around week 3 or 4, give a succulent a very gentle wiggle. If it feels like it’s "grabbing" the moss, congratulations! Your wreath has grown roots!
Phase 3: Long-Term Maintenance (Month 2+)
THE SOAK & DRY METHOD. Now that your plants are established, they need a deep drink followed by a total dry-out.
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The "Cracker" Test: Feel the moss. If it feels like a crunchy cracker, it’s time to water. If it feels like a soft sponge, wait a few more days.
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The Watering Hole: Take your wreath to the sink. Submerge the mossy portion in 1 inch of water for 10 minutes.
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The Drip-Dry (Crucial!): To prevent mold or water damage to your home, lay the wreath flat on a drying rack or towel for 4–6 hours. Never hang a dripping wet wreath back on your wall or door.
Quick Troubleshooting
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Stretching/Leggy Stems: Your succulents are "reaching" for more sun. Move the wreath to a brighter location.
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Shriveled Leaves: This is a sign of dehydration. Give the moss a longer soak.
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Mushy/Yellow Leaves: This is a sign of overwatering. Let the wreath dry out completely for two weeks.
Succulent Kokedamas (Moss Balls)
Ancient Japanese art meets modern botanical style.
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The Weight Indicator: Kokedamas are incredibly communicative. Pick yours up and if it feels heavy, it’s hydrated. If it feels light as a feather, it’s time for a bath. The outer moss should feel slightly damp or soft, never bone-dry and crunchy.
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The Soaking Ritual: To water, submerge the moss ball in a bowl of room-temperature water (filtered is best!) for 10 to 15 minutes. You’ll see small bubbles rising, that’s the air leaving the root ball and being replaced by water. Only water the moss ball, not the succulent.
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Display Tips: Keep your kokedama on a decorative tray or hung by its string in a spot with filtered light. Avoid placing it directly over a heater or AC vent, as the moss will dry out too quickly.
Curated Succulent Arrangements
A miniature ecosystem designed for harmony.
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Focused Watering: In a crowded arrangement, leaves often overlap. It is vital to keep the leaves dry to prevent rot. Use a small watering can with a narrow spout to get water directly to the soil nestled between the plants.
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Growth & Grooming: As your arrangement grows, the bottom leaves of your succulents will naturally shrivel and turn brown. This is normal! Gently pluck them away with tweezers to keep the arrangement looking tidy and to prevent pests from hiding in the debris.
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Pruning for Beauty: If one plant grows significantly faster than the others, don't be afraid to give it a "haircut." You can even let the cutting dry for a few days and then pop it back into the soil to start a new plant!
Succulent Troubleshooting
Don’t worry, plants are resilient! Here is how to read the signs.
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Stretching (Etiolation): If your succulent is growing tall and thin with wide gaps between the leaves, it’s craving more light. Move it to a sunnier spot, and it will begin to grow more compactly again.
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Wrinkled, Soft Leaves: This is a classic sign of thirst. If the leaves look like raisins, give your plant a thorough soak. It should plump back up within 24–48 hours.
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Yellow, Mushy Leaves: This usually indicates overwatering. Stop watering immediately and allow the soil to dry out completely. If the center of the plant is still green, it can often recover with some "tough love" (neglect).
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Leaf Shedding: It is perfectly normal for the bottom-most leaves to dry up and fall off as the plant grows. Simply pluck them away. However, if leaves are falling off from the top or middle, check your watering levels.
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White "Cotton" Spots: If you see tiny white fuzzy spots, you might have Mealybugs. Dab them with a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol to clear them away quickly.
Let’s Stay Connected
We would love to see how your new botanical companion settles into its new home! Your creativity is what makes these workshops so special to us.
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Show Us Your Growth: Tag us in your photos on Instagram @eleph.succs ! Seeing your plants thrive is the best part of our day!
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Share the Love: Did you have a great time at our workshop? [Leave us a Google Review here]. Your kind words help our small business grow and allow us to bring more "greenery therapy" to the community!
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Need a Little Help? If your plant is looking a bit "under the weather" and the troubleshooting guide above didn't quite solve it, send us a clear photo at aloha@elephboutique.com! We’re always happy to offer a digital check-up.
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Join Us Again: Ready to try a different style? Whether you want to master the Succulent Kokedama or build a massive Terrarium, check out our upcoming workshop schedule to book your next seat at the table.