Last summer in Australia, when temperatures soared between 40 °C and 48 °C most days, my beloved fern tree couldn’t survive the relentless heat. Rather than digging out the dead stump, I transformed it into a stunning DIY succulent tree—an eye‑catching, drought‑tolerant feature that thrives with minimal care in our hot climate. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to upcycle a deceased fern stump into a living, vertical succulent planter perfect for Aussie gardens.

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Turn a Dead Fern into a Living Succulent Tree

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Materials Needed

• Dead fern stump or tree stump (with dead branches removed)
• Succulent potting mix or well‑draining cactus soil
• Coconut fibre hanging basket liner
• Assorted small succulents (e.g., Echeveria, Sedum, Haworthia)
• Garden shears or pruning secateurs
• Sharp knife for trimming liner
• Spray bottle or watering can with fine rose
• Gardening gloves

Prepare the Stump

Trim away all dried or dead branches with your garden shears to create planting pockets.

Leave shorter branch ends—about 2 cm long—to support soil and plants. Wear gloves to avoid splinters.

Add Coconut Fibre Liner

Cut the coconut fibre liner into triangles sized to fit each cavity.

Press the liner pieces into gaps, folding the points under to form a snug pocket. The fibrous material holds soil and moisture, preventing washout during rain.

Fill with Soil and Plant Succulents

Use succulent potting mix for excellent drainage. Starting at the top, fill each lined pocket with soil, then gently insert a small succulent. Work your way down the stump, trimming excess liner and ensuring each plant sits securely.

Avoid packing soil too tightly; succulents prefer aerated roots.

Incorporate a few taller succulents—like Crassula tetragona or Senecio vitalis—amongst the rosettes to introduce height variation and create a more dynamic, eye‑catching display.

Finishing Touches

Scatter decorative bark mulch around the base to improve aesthetics, suppress weeds and conserve moisture. Lightly mist each plant with a spray bottle—succulents dislike overwatering. Position your new succulent tree in a spot with partial to full sun, depending on succulent types.

Enhance the display by placing a decorative pottery vase—or a similar ceramic accent—beside your succulent tree to complete the look.

More unique succulent planter ideas

Another unique succulent planter idea is to use PVC pipe photo planters—simply insert your child’s photo to personalise each pot and inspire them to care for their very own little garden.

Give your glass planter a one‑of‑a‑kind finish with this simple technique using Unicorn SPiT and a coat of gold spray paint.

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