Hostess Gifts

1. To make an easy-to-care-for succulent gift, place a handful of light gravel in the base of a large coffee mug or soup bowl.
2. Pour a light cactus soil mix over the gravel in the mug.
3. Carefully remove the succulent from its original container, and loosen the roots.
4. Position the succulent in the center of the mug, and fill in the space around the plant with additional soil.
5. Tamp the soil down firmly to remove any air pockets, and add extra soil to fill any remaining gaps.
6. Add decorative pebbles around the base of the plant to hide the soil.
7. Water the plant thoroughly, and place the container in bright, indirect light.

• Create a cactus vase arrangement (figure B) by placing a layer of decorative gravel inside the base of a glass vase. The pebbles will keep moisture from harming the roots. Don protective gloves and use tongs to lower a vertically shaped cactus into the vase. Add soil, and tamp down the soil with the tongs. Add a second layer of gravel for an attractive finish.