Succulents are already eye-catching on their own, but arranging them into a living ball takes their beauty to a whole new level. A succulent ball topiary, sometimes called a succulent sphere or succulent kissing ball, combines different colors, shapes, and textures into one compact piece of living decor.
You can hang it from a porch, display it from a plant stand, or use it as a unique garden accent. Even better, making one is a creative way to use succulent cuttings you already have.
The project takes a little patience, especially when filling the entire sphere, but the basic technique is surprisingly simple. In this blog, we will walk through everything you need to know about how to make a succulent ball topiary, from choosing your plants to keeping your finished arrangement healthy.
What Is a Succulent Ball Topiary?
A succulent ball topiary is a spherical planting structure covered with living succulent cuttings. Instead of growing in a traditional pot, the plants are inserted into a ball filled or covered with sphagnum moss, which provides support and enough moisture for the cuttings to begin developing roots.
As the succulents establish themselves, their roots help anchor them into the moss, gradually turning the arrangement into a living piece of garden art. Moss-filled frames and florist pins are commonly used for succulent topiary projects because they help hold cuttings securely while they establish.
Depending on the plants you choose, your succulent topiary can look soft and pastel, bright and colorful, or almost entirely green.
What You Will Need
Before getting started, gather everything in one place. Having plenty of cuttings prepared ahead of time makes the assembly process much easier.
You will need:
- A sphagnum moss ball
- Assorted succulent cuttings
- Clean pruning scissors or shears
- A pencil, chopstick, skewer, or similar pointed tool
- U-shaped floral or greening pins
- String, ribbon, chain, or wire for hanging
- A bowl or bucket of water
How to Make a Succulent Ball Topiary
Once your materials are ready, it is time to start building.
Step 1: Prepare Your Succulent Cuttings
Start by taking healthy cuttings from established succulent plants.
Using clean scissors or pruning shears, cut a section of stem below the rosette or growth point. Remove several lower leaves if necessary so that you have a short section of bare stem to insert into the moss.
Place the cuttings somewhere dry with good airflow and allow the cut ends to callus before planting.
Step 2: Prepare the Moss Ball
If you are using a ready-made sphagnum moss ball, soak it in water until the moss becomes evenly damp and flexible.
Then remove it from the water and let the excess moisture drain away.
The moss should be moist enough to work with, but it should not be dripping wet. Dry sphagnum can be difficult to pierce and may fall apart more easily while you are inserting plants. Pre-moistening the moss is a common preparation step when creating succulent spheres and moss-filled topiaries.
Step 3: Start Planting From the Bottom
If your succulent ball will eventually hang, begin working near the bottom of the sphere.
Use a pencil, chopstick, skewer, or similar tool to gently create a small hole in the sphagnum moss.
Insert the bare stem of your succulent cutting into the hole.
The cutting should sit deeply enough that it feels supported, but avoid forcing the plant into the moss or damaging its leaves.
Step 4: Secure Each Cutting
New cuttings do not have roots holding them in place yet, so some may feel loose.
Use a U-shaped floral or greening pin to secure the stem against the moss.
Be especially careful with delicate rosettes. Place the pin around the stem whenever possible rather than through healthy leaves.
Continue adding plants around the sphere, working gradually from one section to another.
Step 5: Fill the Gaps
Once your main succulents are in place, step back and look for visible patches of moss.
Use your smaller cuttings to fill these spaces.
Tiny Sedums, small rosettes, and compact offsets are especially useful for this step.
Keep adding plants until the moss is mostly hidden, but do not pack the cuttings so tightly that they crush one another. Remember that the plants still need room to grow.
Step 6: Let the Topiary Establish
Once the succulent ball is complete, place it in a bright, protected area while the cuttings begin establishing roots.
Avoid immediately putting a newly assembled topiary into harsh afternoon sun. Cuttings that have not yet developed roots can lose moisture more quickly than established plants.
Gradually introduce the ball to stronger light once the succulents begin to settle in.
After rooting, the plants will become more firmly attached to the moss and your arrangement will be easier to move and display.
How to Care for a Succulent Ball Topiary
Most succulents need plenty of light to stay compact and keep their color vibrant. Place your topiary in bright light, ideally with gentle morning sun or filtered sunlight depending on the plant types. Rotate the ball regularly so all sides grow evenly and don’t stretch toward one direction.
Water only when the moss feels dry and the ball becomes lighter. Avoid a fixed schedule. When watering, soak thoroughly and let excess water drain completely before hanging it back. Keep the moss from staying constantly wet, as succulents prefer drying periods between waterings.
Good airflow helps the moss dry properly after watering. Avoid placing the topiary in closed, humid corners. Bright, well-ventilated indoor areas or covered outdoor spaces work best depending on your climate.
Trim any succulents that grow too long or lose shape. Healthy cuttings can be reused. Let them callus and replant them into bare spots or start new projects. Regular pruning also helps maintain the round shape of the topiary over time.
How Long Does a Succulent Ball Topiary Last?
A succulent ball is not just temporary décor.
Because it contains living plants, it can continue growing for a long time when given suitable light, careful watering, and occasional maintenance.
However, the appearance will naturally change.
Some plants may grow faster than others, a few cuttings may fail to root, and gaps may develop as the arrangement matures. This is completely normal.
Think of your succulent ball as an evolving arrangement rather than a finished decoration. You can prune, replace plants, add new cuttings, or redesign sections whenever needed.
Image: @marciaSchmian
