My heart dog passed last November and I haven’t been able to bring myself to do anything with her food bowl. I recently had the idea of using it as a planter but it’s fairly shallow, only 3-4” deep. Any suggestions for something that would do ok in this that isn’t a succulent? I’m not a huge fan of them. Most of my windows are south facing and I have hanging shelves in them so I get decent lighting for most plants.
Photo of her because if I could find something spotted that would be even better.
by downshorelines
18 Comments
If you’re willing/able to drill drainage holes in it, it would be ideal for succulents. A [sedum dasyphyllum minor](https://worldofsucculents.com/sedum-dasyphyllum-minor/) or similar small, creeping or trailing plant would look really nice in it. I’m sorry about your doggo. 💔
Edit: oops, I didn’t notice you said no succulents. String of turtles maybe? Or a hanging plant with shallow roots would be good.
Drill a drainage hole and then use it as a succulent garden or bonsai pot
I would use it as an overflow cache to set another pot inside of. No damage from drilling holes! You would be able to keep the bowl whole and repurpose it throughout the years to come.
String of hearts!!!!! I can make you an insert if you want. I have a 3d printer. If you have a friend or family member who owns one they can make you one really easily!
Im sorry for your peppers.
The food dish lacks drainage, which makes it difficult to use as a planter. If a plant were to drown in it, it would probably make you feel worse.
Maybe fill with rocks and add some air plants?
Drill hole. Make a succulent bowl.
I knew you’d love that idea! It’s really so perfect for this too! Get an insert like a plastic nursery pot, that way you can take it out of the dog bowl. You don’t want to risk drilling your own holes for drainage. I will even take an old nursery pot wash it out and cut it because even with drainage holes whenever I plant directly into a pot they die. Happens EVERY SINGLE TIME. Even if I repot a plant I’ll use a plastic insert placed inside a nice planter or in your case a dog bowl! Then you can take it out to water it, and if it dies you can just try again without the hassle of cleaning out the bowl.
You could even hang it in that gorgeous dog bowl with a crystal bead hanger from etsy or amazon
https://preview.redd.it/l085r7o5o60h1.jpeg?width=1312&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=027f058b4427b9c1ee116302d70bd74d798adeac
https://preview.redd.it/l56gjilan60h1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=34c9c04a8e671c5e559d256bf28cafae972e13d0
Hi! I got into plants as a way to memorialize my 17 year old dog. I lost her 3 years ago. The pothos on the right is my “original” plant I got to memorialize her. I’ve made 3 plants off cuttings of that one and have a collection of over 30 different plants. It was a great way to handle my grief. I put them in her food and water bowls on either side of my plant shelf. I prefer this method because I don’t have to clean the bowls themselves very often and I don’t worry about them getting damaged. I would advise getting something simple because I lost the second plant I had and it hurt. I’m sorry for your loss and I hope plants can help you. 🪴🐶🌈
Oxalis! They are rhizomes and don’t need much depth at all. They are easy and I find pretty hardy but have delicate little flowers and beautiful shamrock leaves.
https://preview.redd.it/o546pppmo60h1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c7113421b94f5bad02994ba1dda9f2f6eb091c5c
If you’re ok with drilling drainage holes or using a nursery pot(s) inside, you may consider peperomias. They’re technically a succulent, but they don’t look like what most people think of as succulents. I’ve found they have incredibly small/shallow root systems. There is a marble peperomia obtusifolia that is spotted/mottled colored, but there are a bunch of other variegated and spotted varieties too.
Succulent containers have the same dimensions as that bowl
mexican pinguicula. Very easy carnivorous plants that like their feet wet and have absurdly shallow roots, they basically sit on top of the substrate. They also readily produce cute flowers.
I would do a cactus arrangement, like so: [https://mondufloraldesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/8_cactus_2020_2-1_med_0.jpg](https://mondufloraldesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/8_cactus_2020_2-1_med_0.jpg)
Soleirolia soleirolii would look beautiful and you could use the cut off bottom of a big jug. The plant would overflow the edges of the food bowl, hiding the plastic bottom. It’s an underrated beautiful plant. Like a little prairie.
Would look cute as a succulent garden
Break it and use the pieces to create a coffee mug?
I am sorry for your loss 💔
This shallow bowl would be perfect for a caudex plant like a stephania erecta. The stem will die and fall off every year then grow back in spring reminding you of your dog.
https://preview.redd.it/9wil8x72170h1.jpeg?width=736&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ee683137a5b8734ddeefef77556958055fe522dd
Um food?