Plant Portraits - A Garden On Display!

Charlotte Weidner | February 14, 2026

Green walls are all the rage, and so are DIY and trendy Succulent plants! Nature Hills has combined them all into one amazing do-it-yourself garden you can design in minutes!

Add living greenery to your bedside table, hang as wall decor, spruce up your office desk or decorate a bookshelf with the Instant Wall Planter! Regardless of how much space you have available, these succulent wall planters are incredibly simple and easy!

Design, Plant & Display!

What’s Included

Additional Needs

How To Assemble

Display It!

Care & Upkeep!
Great Gift!

What Is Included:

Your Instant Wall Planter is a 5x7-inch frame with a beautiful rustic wood finish. With a deep-set tray of durable plastic, all the hardware to hang or stand it on display is included! Plus two sets of pins to secure the roots into place.

5x7 inch Frame & Rustic Wood Finish
26 Rods in 7” & 5” Lengths
Leak Proof Polymer Planter Tray
Water Reservoir
Easel Stand & Screws or Convenient Ready to Hang

Additional Needs:

Select your own small succulents and pick up some potting soil. Choose different textures, colors and include a few hanging or drooping specimens for variety and interest!

Select Enough Succulents or Small Plants to Snugly Fill the Frame
Cactus & Succulent Potting Soil
Spanish or Sheet Moss if Desired
Small Screwdriver for the Easel Installation -or- Drywall Anchors for Hanging
Drop Cloth, Scoop or Spoon & Gloves, Small Brush and/or Rag for Clean-up

Plant it - Pin it - Display it!

Using the screws included, attach the easel stand. Then using the rod provided, attach the dribble-catching water reservoir to the bottom. Keep the other included rods within reach for later.

Lay your wall planter onto a flat surface protected with a drop cloth for fast clean-up (don’t worry, it’s not that messy).

Arrange your Succulents together on the table, before arranging them into the frame. This allows you to create the look you wish and reduces handling and potential breakage.

Moisten the potting soil just barely
Add a very small layer of soil at the bottom of your tray
Unpot and begin adding your first layer of succulents, gently spreading roots if needed
Add a very thin layer of soil to barely separate them from the next layer
Continue layering plants and soil until you fill the box and the plants are snug
Tuck additional soil into any pockets or loose areas, packing gently but firmly
Add small tufts of moss into any gaps or holes to finish the look (optional)

pieces of the portrait garden where they go

Lift your frame, keeping it flat, and begin inserting the rods that were set aside into the holes. The holes can be found just beneath the frame itself and allow you to pin the roots firmly into place. Simply push the appropriate rod size completely through into the root systems, (don’t worry you won’t hurt them).

Use a paintbrush or rag to gently clean the foliage of your plants and wipe down the frame. And that’s it, you’ve just created your own do-it-yourself portrait garden!

Display it!

Display your new Instant Wall Planter anywhere there is some bright light! Walls, desks, shelves, even in a sunny protected area outside! Indoors or outdoors, a vertical garden displaying your handiwork is a breath of fresh air!

Hanging succulent gardens look beautiful tucked among other picture fram

es on the wall. Or display your portrait garden planter box with candles and art on your mantle. Anywhere you choose because there is no worry of mess or water leaking!

Keeping Your Living Art Happy

It is easy to care for your new planter because succulents are low-maintenance, easy-going plants! Provide them with plenty of filtered, bright light, but go easy on the water, especially during the dormant season. They only need water every few months in wintertime.

Water your garden evenly by pouring small amounts into the built-in watering slots at the top, and excess water leaves the bottom, dripping into the reservoir. Or place ice cubes on top, allowing them to melt gradually to consistently water the roots.

During the growing season, increase the watering to once a month on average. However, if you keep your planter outside, be prepared to water several times a week. Once established and settled in, add very small amounts of fertilizer suitable for succulents according to the directions on the bag.

Enjoy!

Creating living wall art has never been easier! Let Nature Hills decorate your home and garden with living greenery both indoors and out! Reduce stress, improve home air quality and enjoy gardening even in the dead of winter! And we bet you already know that Instant Wall Planters from NatureHills.com will be incredible gifts for the plant-lovers in your life! Call or order online today before they sell out!

Need some tips or are you a visual learner? Watch this great YouTube Video at the bottom of our Instant Wall Planter page to see the assembly process and get some great ideas for plant combinations!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What light conditions help a garden display plant perform its best through the growing season?

Succulents used in your Instant Wall Planter thrive in bright, indirect light for at least 6 hours per day, making a sunny windowsill, well-lit desk, or outdoor patio in USDA zones 9-11 an ideal spot. Avoid harsh, direct afternoon sun that can scorch leaves, and keep your display away from deep shade, which causes leggy, weakened growth over time. Rotate your planter every few weeks so all plants receive even light exposure and maintain their compact, attractive form.

How do you prepare soil to give a new garden plant the strongest possible start?

For succulent wall planters, use a cactus and succulent specific potting mix, which provides the fast drainage these plants require to prevent root rot. Moisten the soil just barely before planting, as succulents prefer lean, dry conditions rather than rich, wet soil. Layer a very thin amount of soil between plants as you fill the frame, then pack gently but firmly to eliminate air pockets and keep roots snug and secure.

Does this plant perform better in well-drained soil, or can it handle heavier and wetter ground conditions?

Succulents used in the Instant Wall Planter require fast-draining soil and will not tolerate heavy, wet conditions. A cactus and succulent potting mix is specifically recommended for this planter, as it prevents moisture from sitting around the roots and causing rot. Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out almost completely between waterings, and always use the included leak-proof tray to catch any excess. Avoid standard potting soil or garden soil, as these retain too much moisture and will quickly lead to root rot in your arrangement.

How and when should you fertilize a garden display plant to encourage healthy growth and blooms?

Succulents in a wall planter like the Instant Wall Planter require very little fertilization compared to traditional garden plants. Apply a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer at half strength once in early spring and once in midsummer to support healthy growth without overfeeding. Use a fertilizer formulated for cacti and succulents, such as a 2-7-7 NPK ratio, to encourage compact growth and occasional blooms. Avoid fertilizing in fall or winter when succulents naturally slow their growth cycle.

How do you prune or cut back a garden plant to keep it looking its best year after year?

The Instant Wall Planter is designed for small succulents, which are naturally slow-growing and low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning. If a succulent begins to stretch or etiolate due to low light, simply use clean scissors or pruning shears to trim it back to a healthy rosette or compact form, and allow the cut end to callous for 24 to 48 hours before replanting. Remove any dead or shriveled leaves by gently pulling them away from the base to keep the arrangement tidy and prevent rot. Refresh your wall planter display each season by replacing any plants that have outgrown the frame with new small succulents to maintain a full, attractive look.

What pests and diseases are most likely to affect a garden display plant, and how can you prevent or treat them?

Succulents used in wall planters are most susceptible to mealybugs, fungus gnats, and root rot, all of which are typically triggered by overwatering or poor drainage. Because the Instant Wall Planter includes a leak-proof tray and water reservoir, it is essential to allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent these issues. If you spot mealybugs, dab them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, and treat fungus gnats by letting the top inch of soil dry thoroughly before watering again. Inspect your succulents closely before planting them in the frame, and quarantine any new plants for a week or two before adding them to an existing display to avoid introducing pests.

How do you help a garden plant survive summer heat and stressful weather without losing its appearance?

This question falls outside the scope of the Instant Wall Planter content, but here is general guidance. During peak summer heat, water deeply and less frequently to encourage roots to seek moisture lower in the soil, and apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch around the base of plants to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. For succulents and heat-sensitive plants in zones 8 and above, consider providing afternoon shade cloth filtered to 30 to 50 percent during the hottest weeks of July and August. Monitor soil moisture at a depth of 2 inches and water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and minimize fungal stress on foliage.

Which landscape settings work best for showcasing a garden display plant, such as borders, foundation beds, or mixed plantings?

The Instant Wall Planter is designed for indoor and small-space display rather than traditional landscape settings like borders or foundation beds. It works best as a tabletop accent, wall-mounted decor, or shelf display in bright indoor spaces that receive indirect light. For best results, position your succulent wall planter near a south or east-facing window where plants receive several hours of bright light daily, and rotate it periodically to encourage even growth.

How do you choose companion plants that complement a garden display plant in terms of color, texture, and bloom time?

When designing your Instant Wall Planter, select succulents that contrast in texture and form, pairing rosette types like Echeveria with spiky varieties and trailing specimens that drape over the frame's edge for visual depth. Stick to plants with similar care needs, since all your selections will share the same soil and watering schedule. Choose a mix of colors across the green, purple, and red spectrum that succulents naturally offer, and include one or two cascading varieties to add movement. Visit your local nursery and physically arrange your selections together before purchasing to preview the final look, just as you would on your tabletop before planting.

What seasonal care steps should you follow in spring and fall to keep a garden display plant thriving long term?

The article provided does not include specific seasonal care instructions for spring and fall maintenance of the Instant Wall Planter. In general, succulents benefit from slightly increased watering in spring during active growth and reduced watering in fall as growth slows, always allowing the soil to dry completely between waterings. Visit naturehills.com for additional succulent care guidance tailored to your growing zone.