Earthbound Succulent Designs

WORDS Thandie Sibanda

Captivating design happens when creativity meets innovation. Hanlie van Heerden and Alexis Symonds, a Pretoria-based duo and the brains behind Earthbound Succulent Designs are growing their business out of their shared passion for these hardy plants.

Alexis, who grew up on a farm bordering the Kalahari, shared her passion for succulents with Hanlie while they were still at school. Years later the couple began creating potted succulent gardens in various sizes to showcase the colours, textures and forms of a variety of species.

Sharing their designs with others was a logical next step, says Hanlie.

What is your design philosophy?

Sustainability is the most important consideration in our design. As a concept it reaches out to conscious living, slowing down and finding gratification in the small miracles of life around us: on-going and changing beauty. Design must remind us of all these things, and not be something separate or outside of ourselves.

Are succulents the next big thing in floral arrangements?

Our succulent creations are in fact mini gardens featuring living, growing plants. Each succulent is planted in soil in a specially designed, preferentially shaped structure. The shape can be anything from a wreath, spheres of varying sizes or even hearts for Valentine’s Day. We use both indigenous and non-invasive exotic succulents. They are low maintenance and last up to a year before they need replanting – move over flower arrangements!

What does the future hold?

We aim to establish a viable, sustainable business where we grow our own plants, meet existing demand and then expand our market. We also want to continue producing innovative designs with year-round appeal.