6 Best Succulent Centerpieces For Rustic Weddings That Guests Can Take Home
Discover 6 rustic succulent centerpieces that double as charming take-home favors for guests—a beautiful, living memento of your special day.
Planning a wedding often means wrestling with the small details, and wedding favors can feel particularly wasteful. You spend money on something that, more often than not, gets left on the table or tossed out a week later. A living favor, however, changes that equation entirely. It’s a symbol of your growing love that your guests can actually nurture themselves.
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Why Succulents Make Lasting Wedding Favors
Succulents are built for survival. Their ability to store water in their leaves means they forgive neglect in a way that few other plants do. This makes them the perfect gift for guests who might not have a green thumb.
You’re not just giving a plant; you’re giving a small, self-sufficient piece of nature. They are incredibly easy to propagate, so a single favor can eventually turn into many more plants. This embodies a wonderful sentiment for a wedding—a gift that continues to grow and multiply long after the day is over.
The key is choosing the right succulent and the right container. You want something that is both beautiful on the day and hardy enough to handle the trip home with a guest. It’s about balancing aesthetics with practicality, ensuring your favor is a joy, not a burden.
Echeveria ‘Lola’ in Terracotta: Classic Charm
The Echeveria ‘Lola’ is a showstopper. Its pale, pearlescent leaves form a tight rosette that looks like a desert rose. The delicate blush of pink and lavender on the leaf tips catches the light beautifully, making it an elegant and sophisticated choice.
Pairing ‘Lola’ with a simple, unglazed terracotta pot is a classic for a reason. Terracotta is porous, allowing the soil to breathe and dry out between waterings—a critical factor for succulent health. This combination is the definition of rustic charm: earthy, timeless, and completely functional. It looks just as good on a reception table as it does on a sunny windowsill back home.
This is a straightforward, no-fuss option. The plant is the star, and the pot is its sturdy, reliable home. For a wedding favor, you can’t ask for a more dependable and beautiful pairing.
Sempervivum ‘Hens and Chicks’ in a Wooden Box
Sempervivum, commonly known as ‘Hens and Chicks’, is all about community. The main plant (the "hen") sends out small offsets (the "chicks"), creating a dense, spreading mat. This growth habit makes it a deeply symbolic favor, representing the joining of families.
Placing a small cluster in a rustic wooden box or a miniature crate enhances the farm-fresh aesthetic. The wood provides a warm, natural contrast to the cool tones of the Sempervivum. Just make sure the box has drainage holes, or add a layer of gravel at the bottom to prevent waterlogged roots.
The best part about ‘Hens and Chicks’ is their resilience. They are cold-hardy and can be planted outdoors in many climates, thriving in rock gardens or patio containers. Guests receive not just a houseplant, but a potential addition to their garden that will remind them of your celebration for years.
Mixed Sedums in a Small Galvanized Tin Pail
For a more varied, miniature-garden look, you can’t beat a mix of sedums. With their diverse textures, colors, and growth habits—from the upright ‘Angelina’ to the trailing ‘Burro’s Tail’—you can create a dynamic arrangement in even the smallest container. This approach offers a little something different at each place setting.
A small galvanized tin pail is the perfect container for a rustic or farm-themed wedding. It’s a nod to practical, hardworking farm equipment, but on a charming, miniature scale. The cool, metallic sheen of the tin contrasts wonderfully with the vibrant greens, golds, and reds of the sedums.
This option is a bit more work to assemble, as you’ll be combining multiple small plants. However, the result is a rich, textured centerpiece that feels personal and handcrafted. It’s a small landscape your guests can take home.
Haworthia ‘Zebra Plant’ in a Glass Terrarium
If you want a modern-rustic look, the Haworthia fasciata, or ‘Zebra Plant’, is an excellent choice. Its spiky, upright leaves are marked with striking white horizontal stripes, giving it a bold, architectural feel. It’s a low-light tolerant succulent, making it a great option for guests who may not have a bright, sunny spot for a plant.
Placing a ‘Zebra Plant’ in a small, open glass terrarium or cloche creates a stunning display. The glass protects the plant while showing off its unique form, along with layers of sand, soil, and decorative pebbles. This isn’t just a plant in a pot; it’s a tiny, self-contained world.
A word of caution: closed terrariums are a death trap for succulents due to high humidity. Always use an open terrarium that allows for ample air circulation. This choice is for the couple who appreciates a clean, modern aesthetic blended with natural elements.
String of Pearls in a Simple Macrame Hanger
For something with a bit of boho flair, the ‘String of Pearls’ (Senecio rowleyanus) is unforgettable. Its long, trailing stems of pea-like leaves create a beautiful cascading effect. This plant adds vertical interest and a sense of graceful movement to your table settings.
Presenting it in a simple macrame hanger instantly elevates the favor. The knotted cotton hanger is a quintessential rustic touch that is both decorative and functional. Guests can take it home and hang it immediately in a window or from a shelf, no extra pot or saucer needed.
This is a fantastic option for filling vertical space and creating a lush, layered look. It’s also a conversation starter. Just be mindful that the delicate "pearls" can be fragile, so they need to be handled with a bit of care during transport.
Crassula ovata ‘Jade Plant’ for Good Fortune
The Jade Plant is a classic for good reason. Its sturdy, tree-like structure and glossy, fleshy leaves make it one of the hardiest succulents around. It’s incredibly forgiving and can live for decades with minimal care, becoming a true heirloom.
More importantly, the Jade Plant is widely considered a symbol of good luck, prosperity, and friendship. What better sentiment to share with your wedding guests? You are literally giving them a token of good fortune to thank them for celebrating with you.
Planted in a simple ceramic or concrete pot, the Jade Plant has a substantial, timeless presence. It’s a favor that feels both generous and meaningful. It says, "We wish you all the best," in a way a trinket simply can’t.
Care Cards: Helping Your Wedding Favors Thrive
A beautiful favor is only a success if your guests can keep it alive. Don’t assume everyone knows how to care for a succulent. A small, simple care card tied to each plant is the most important finishing touch.
Your care card doesn’t need to be an encyclopedia. Just cover the three basics:
- Light: "Give me lots of bright, indirect sunlight. A spot near a window is perfect."
- Water: "I’m a desert plant! Water me only when my soil is completely dry. It’s better to underwater than overwater."
- Soil: "If you repot me, use soil made for cacti and succulents that drains quickly."
This simple act of providing instructions shows you care about the gift and the person receiving it. It transforms the favor from a temporary decoration into a lasting memento. It’s the final step in ensuring your living gift has a long and happy life.
Ultimately, a succulent favor is more than just a plant. It’s a living piece of your wedding day, a sustainable choice that grows alongside the memories. By choosing a hardy plant and giving your guests the knowledge to care for it, you’re offering a gift that truly keeps on giving.
