First & foremost, does it have a drainage hole?

Is your garage heated? There aren't many succulents that will tolerate near freezing temperatures (40 F), and pretty much anything you could get into a shallow dish will die for certain if it freezes.

As a general rule, no succulent is happy when the actual temperature drops below 40 F. Likewise, succulents are only happy when the average temperature is 50 F or above. Unfortunetaly, this prevents the vast majority of Americans from being able to grow succulents without a glasshouse. Hoenstly, zone 8 is where it starts to be a real challenge to keep plants going throughout the year. Even here in Los Angeles (Zone 10), I often get the impression that it is too cold for many of my plants.

Having said all that, you could either put your dish in the garage if it is warm enough, bring it into the house, or just accept that you'll have to replace all of the plants each year.

Finally, as pirate_girl established, excellent drainage is essential. It will be a a little tricky to get a nice succulent garden going so far up North, but it will be downright impossible if the soil isn't freely draining...

Thanks for replying. It does have a drainage hole. The succulents I was planning to use were various types of sedum and things like hens and chicks, which are hardy here in zone 6. That is why I asked if an unheated garage would work without cracking the container.

Yes it would. Also I think if you keep the container slightly elevated to keep the drainage holes open you COULD keep it outside. Semps and sedums would be fine.

Dave
Milwaukee(zone 5)

Thanks Dave. What is a semp?

semp is short for sempervivum a.k.a. hens and chicks. i think you'll be fine with the semps and sedums. i've grown sedums in a pot outdoors here in iowa for years. no problems at all.

Thanks!

Stokes is right...Semp is just shorthand for Sempervivum...almost all are extremely hardy outdoors WITH proper drainage. Also look into Rosularia, Jovivarba, and Orostachys...all relatives as well. Then there are the winter hardy Cacti, new forms of which are still being tried and discovered. Many interesting things out there for pots, troughs, dish gardens, etc.

Dave
Milwaukee

Marth Stewart madt a gorgeous hanging or tabletop wreath out of succulants and you would have an easier time moving this much lighter item. She used it as a Christmas wreath and it was so pretty.