Bird Bath Planter Ideas with Succulents

Have an old bird bath that’s seen better days? Or just tired of always cleaning and changing the water? Don’t toss it - turn it into a show-stopping succulent planter! This simple upcycle project adds charm to your garden and gives new life to something you already own.

My concrete birdbath became my succulent garden birdbath!  If you also love succulents, take a look at how I bring my hens and chicks indoors. Or, a simple idea using succulents to make a great gift.

Why This Project Works

Bird baths make excellent planters for succulents thanks to their shallow shape and elevated design. Succulents like hens and chicks, sedum, and echeveria don’t need deep soil, and they thrive in containers with good drainage and full sun—exactly what a bird bath provides.

This is a simple and affordable way to reuse an old bird bath and add interest to your garden. If you're looking for DIY bird bath planter ideas or want to landscape around an existing bird bath, turning it into a succulent garden is a creative and low-maintenance option.

Why I Love This Project

• I reused a favorite piece I already owned—my concrete bird bath.
• Most of the succulents came from my own yard, which made it budget-friendly.
• The elevated planter adds structure and interest to my garden.
• It gave new life to an item I didn’t want to throw away.
• It's a creative, new use for something, and I enjoyed how it looked all summer!

Supplies - What you Need

• Old bird bath (cement, ceramic, etc.)
• Succulent soil mix
• Rocks or gravel for drainage
• Succulent plants
• Garden gloves, trowel

Step - By - Step Instructions

Step 1: Add Drainage Material
Add gravel, broken pottery, or landscape rocks to help water flow through the soil to the bottom of the bird bath.

Step 2: Add Succulent-Friendly Soil
Use a gritty, well-draining mix. You can buy cactus soil or make your own with potting mix, sand, and perlite. I buy this Miracle Grow Cactus and Succulent Soil.

Step 3: Plant Your Succulents
Nestle in hens and chicks, sedum, echeveria, or other shallow-rooted succulents.

Step 4: Top with Decorative Pebbles (Optional)
Helps retain moisture and finishes the look.

Step 5: Top with Decorative Accents (Optional)
Sometimes I add larger rocks or a few small fairy garden type accents.

Best Plants for this Bird Bath Planter

Try these shallow-rooted, low-water succulents:

• Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum) – Hardy and spreads naturally
• Sedum – Creeping varieties work well for the edges
• Echeveria – Adds bold rosettes and color contrast
• Aloe or Haworthia – Compact, sculptural options
• Portulaca (Moss Rose) – If you want seasonal blooms

Storage and Winter Care Tips

If you live in a cold climate like I do (Wisconsin), here’s how to protect your bird bath planter in winter:

• Move it Indoors: If your bird bath isn’t too heavy, place it in a sunny indoor space to overwinter the succulents.
• Remove Plants + Store Separately: You can lift out the plants, plant them in smaller containers and bring them indoors
• Protect the Bird Bath: Cement or ceramic bird baths can crack if water freezes inside. Empty and cover them if they stay outdoors.
• Try Hardy Succulents: Hens and chicks can survive winter outdoors in Zone 5 but must be planted in the ground in the fall. That is how I overwinter many and how I am able to reuse them. I do keep them close to the house in a sheltered area.

Avoid plants that need deep soil or frequent watering.

More Succulent Ideas

Hope you find these helpful!

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Originally published June 15, 2015. Updated for clarity and new photos.