Succulents are all the rage these days. Everyone’s got them, from your neighbour to your favourite celebrity.
But what exactly are succulents?
And more importantly, how do you take care of them?
In this article we’ll cover what they are, how to water them properly, how to care for them, and some popular types that you can find at your local garden centre or online. So whether you’re a succulent novice or a seasoned pro, there’s something for everyone.
Table of Contents:
- Succulents: The Basics
- What Makes a Plant a Succulent?
- Watering Your Succulents
- Types of Popular Succulents
- Caring for Your New Plants
- FAQs in Relation to Succulents
- Do succulents need full sun or shade?
- How often do you water succulents?
- Are succulents good indoors?
- How do you care for succulents indoors?
- Conclusion
Succulents: The Basics
Succulents are a type of plant that store water in their leaves, stems, or roots. They’re native to dry climates and can survive long periods without water.
Many people choose to grow succulents because they’re easy to care for – they don’t need much watering and can tolerate neglect better than other plants.
There are many different types of succulents, but some of the most popular succuelent plants include aloe vera, jade plant, cacti, and sedum.
When choosing a succulent for your home, it’s important to pick one that will do well in the conditions you can provide (e.g., bright light or low light). To care for your succulent, start by planting it in well-draining soil.
Water when the soil is dry – typically once every week or two – and make sure not to overdo it (succulents are susceptible to root rot). If you live in a particularly hot climate, you may need to water more often during the summer months.
In general though, less is more when it comes to watering these drought-tolerant plants!
Key Takeaway: Succulents are a type of plant that store water in their leaves, stems, or roots and can tolerate long periods without water.
What Makes a Plant a Succulent?
A lot of people think that succulents are just cacti, but there’s actually a big difference between the two! Cacti are only one type of succulent plant.
So what makes a plant a succulent?
Succulents are plants that have thick, fleshy leaves or stems. They’re adapted to living in dry conditions, such as in deserts or rocky areas.
Succulents store water in their leaves and stems, which helps them survive during periods of drought.
There are lots of different types of succulents, including cacti (which we already mentioned), aloes, agaves, echeverias, sedums, kalanchoes… and the list goes on!
These plants come in all sorts of shapes and sizes – some even look like flowers or trees. One thing all succulents have in common is that they’re really easy to care for.
If you’re thinking about adding one (or more!) to your home or office space, here are a few tips:
- Pick a sunny spot:
Most succulents need at least six hours of sunlight each day. If you can provide them with more sun than that – great!
Just make sure to slowly introduce them to direct sunlight so they don’t get sunburned.
- Give them well-draining soil:
Since these plants originate from dry environments, they won’t do well if their roots sit in wet soil. Be sure to use a potting mix made specifically for cactus/succulent plants, and add some extra perlite or pumice stones to help with drainage.
- Water them sparingly:
Overwatering is one of the main reasons why people kill their succulents! Only water your plant when the top inch or so of soil feels dry.
To test this, stick your finger into the dirt up to your second knuckle; if it comes out clean then it needs watering.
In general, most varieties of succulents should be watered every seven to ten days during spring and summer months; during fall and winter reduce watering to every two weeks or less.
- Don’t forget to fertilize:
Although succulents don’t need a lot of fertilizer, they will benefit from an occasional feeding during the spring and summer months. Use a cactus-specific or all-purpose liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength once every four weeks or so.
Now that you know what makes a plant a succulent, you can start adding these easy-to-care-for plants to your home!
Key Takeaway: Most succulents need at least six hours of sunlight each day and should be watered every seven to ten days during spring and summer months.
Watering Your Succulents
Succulents are amazing plants that can brighten up any space – but they do need some regular TLC to stay healthy. Here’s everything you need to know about watering your succulents, from how often to do it, to what kind of water is best.
Most succulents need to be watered between once and twice a week, though those in hot or dry environments may need more frequent watering. The best time to water your plants is early in the day so that the leaves have time to dry before nightfall.
This helps prevent rot and keeps your plant healthy overall. When it comes time to actually water your succulent, use room temperature or filtered water rather than straight from the tap.
This will help avoid shocking the roots with too-cold or too-hot water. And speaking of avoiding shocks, try not get any water on the leaves as this can cause damage (and no one wants a sad succulent).
With these tips in mind, you should be well on your way towards keeping your own little green friends happy and hydrated!
Key Takeaway: succulents need to be watered once a week at most, using room temperature or filtered water.
Types of Popular Succulents
There are many different types of succulents, but some of the most popular include:
Aloe vera, cacti, jade plants, and sedum. Each type has its own unique appearance and care needs.
Aloe vera plants are known for their thick leaves that store water well. Cacti are often used as decoration due to their interesting shapes and sizes.
Jade plants have fleshy leaves that can be a variety of colors including green, red, or yellow. Sedum is a type of succulent that grows in rosettes and comes in many different colors such as white, pink, or purple.
Choosing the right type of succulent for your home or office can be tricky. But with a little research, you’ll be able to find the perfect plant to suit your needs.
Looking for a plant that is low maintenance and interesting? Look no further than succulents! These plants come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors and are perfect for those who don’t have a lot of time to care for a traditional garden. Click To Tweet
Caring for Your Succulent Plants
Assuming you have already purchased your succulents, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to caring for your new plants. First and foremost, succulents need very little water.
In fact, overwatering is one of the leading causes of death for these plants. Second, be sure to plant them in well-draining soil mix and use a pot with drainage holes.
And finally, place them in an area that gets plenty of light – but not direct sunlight (which can scorch the leaves). With just a little bit of care, your succulents will thrive!
Looking for a plant that requires little water and maintenance? Look no further than succulents! These tough plants are perfect for those with a busy lifestyle. Click To Tweet
Succulent FAQs
Do succulents need full sun or shade?
Most succulents need full sun to partial shade. Some will tolerate low light conditions, but generally they will not thrive as well in these environments.
If you are growing succulents indoors, make sure to place them near a bright window where they can receive plenty of indirect sunlight throughout the day.
How often do you water succulents?
Most succulents need to be watered about once a week, though some may need more or less depending on the climate they’re growing in and the time of year. During very hot summer months, you may need to water your succulents twice a week.
In cooler weather or during winter dormancy, once every two weeks is usually sufficient.
Are succulents good indoors?
Yes, succulents are good indoors. They require little water and can thrive in bright or low light conditions.
Succulents are also relatively easy to care for, making them ideal houseplants.
How do you care for succulents indoors?
There are a few key things to remember when caring for succulents indoors:
1. Succulents need bright, indirect sunlight in order to thrive.
If your home doesn’t get a lot of natural light, you can supplement with grow lights.
2. These plants don’t like to be wet, so make sure you’re not over-watering them.
Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings and only water when the leaves start to look wilted.
- Use a well-draining potting mix specifically designed for succulents and cacti – regular potting soil will hold too much moisture and can lead to root rot.
- Fertilize your succulents once a month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a diluted liquid fertilizer.
- Be on the lookout for pests – mealybugs, aphids, and scale can all attack indoor succulents.
If you see any insects, remove them by hand or treat with an insecticidal soap.
Conclusion
Overall, succulents are easy to take care of and make for great houseplants. Be sure to water them regularly and give them plenty of sunlight.
With a little bit of love, your succulents will thrive!
