With the humid weather settling in, it will be difficult to handle and use fresh flowers for a table arrangement. I have heard nightmare stories from friends about how their pretty flower arrangements wilt just as the party is beginning.

Succulents are “today’s plant.” Their fleshy leaves and lovely varied colors will enhance any table setting.

Colorful succulent plants can take the stress out of instant entertaining. These fleshy leafed plants hold moisture in their stems, roots or leaves. Immersion in water will cause the stems to rot. You can even throw one party after another using the same arrangements without watering them, and they will look fresh and new for a long time. So, add drama and interest to your table with these succulent ideas.

For a modern black-and-white table setting, we used the rosette-shaped succulent. Using one variety of container and also one kind of succulent creates a clean and streamlined look. There should always be a certain discipline when you’re trying to create a modern tablescape. Unify elements and keep them to a minimum to create visual unity.

Here are some basic instructions. Use any type of container, as long as the anchor-medium will hold the stems in place. This is easily done with floral foam, or you can use pebbles which conform to any enclosed shape. Insert the succulent and you are ready to set the table.

Here are suggestions for simple and easy ideas for theme table settings using succulents:

Create a miniature landscaped garden of different varieties in a shallow dish of any shape to achieve texture and form.

For a vintage look, use empty soup cans, labels removed. You can also use empty bottles as containers for that rustic look.

For a modern appearance, pick one variety and repeat in small individual containers, or use a long container.