Succulents are the perfect plants for forgetful and sometimes neglectful gardeners. They require minimal care and are easy to grow both indoors and outdoors. They come in various shapes, colors, and textures and look lovely potted or landscaped.
There are succulents of all kinds suited for all growing conditions. They store water in their leaves, stems, or roots and often grow in dry climates without much humidity. Succulents need to be watered, but can withstand periods of drought without pulling water stored in their parts. They do not perform well in wet conditions, as their roots will rot if they remain submerged in water for too long. Most of them prefer warm weather and can not survive freezing temperatures. The stored water will freeze and destroy the plant. Some species, however, can survive a freezing winter.
The most common succulents you will find are Agave, Yucca, Aloe, cacti, Sedum, Sempervivum, Echeveria, and Euphorbia.
As with all plants, there are four key factors to consider when caring for succulents: light, water, soil, and temperature.
Light
Both indoor and outdoor succulents typically require at least 3 hours of direct sunlight daily. Morning sunlight is preferable, as the afternoon sun can be too harsh. Some succulents that receive too much sun may be damaged, appearing sunburned with scars on their leaves or a washed-out color. Keep your succulents in areas with filtered sunlight, especially in hot climates where the sun's rays are most direct.
Alternatively, succulents that do not receive enough sun may grow or reach toward the sun. As a result, the plants may grow taller, with their leaves spaced further apart. Colored succulents may also turn green if they are not exposed to sufficient light.
Water
Succulents thrive in arid climates and, as a result, require minimal watering. When watering your plants, ensure the soil is dry before watering. Soak the soil around the plant and do not water again until the soil is dry. If the roots stay wet for long periods, they may rot. You will know this occurs if the leaves turn black and become mushy, and may start to grow mold. Generally, most succulents require watering only once a week. However, this will vary depending on your climate and soil conditions. If you are unsure how often to water your succulents, it is better to underwater rather than overwater.
Soil
Well-draining soil is essential for succulents, as excessive moisture can cause the plant to rot. If you grow your succulents in pots, ensure the pot has drainage holes.
When planting succulents, look for a potting mix specifically designed for cacti and succulents that drains better than regular potting soil. You can make your own if you cannot find a commercial potting mix.
Temperature
Most succulents can tolerate a wide range of temperatures if they receive the right amount of sunlight and water. However, the more delicate succulents should not be kept above 95°F (35°C) or below freezing. The extreme heat will cause them to droop when the soil gets too hot and dry.
Propagating
One of the excellent qualities of succulents is their ability to propagate easily. You can often start a new plant with a leaf or a stem cutting. However, some succulents propagate better from a cutting rather than a leaf. Plants with thick, fleshy leaves are best suited to leaf propagation.
The best way to remove a leaf for propagation is to twist it gently from the stem. You will want the entire leaf, so nothing should be left on the stem. For succulents that propagate best from cuttings, use sharp scissors or pruning shears and cut off a stem right above a leaf. This can be either the top of the succulent or a new shoot.
After removing the leaf or stem cutting, you will want the end to dry out and scab over a bit before planting. If you plant it freshly cut, it may absorb too much moisture. Depending on your climate and humidity, this may take 1 to 3 days. The leaf or cutting may shrivel slightly. You will want to plant it before it dries out too much.
When the cutting is dry at the end, it is time to plant it. The leaf does not need to be planted; instead, it should be laid on top of the soil. Mist the cutting or leaf with water whenever the soil is dry. You do not need to soak the soil. The leaves will begin to grow tiny roots within 4 to 6 weeks. When you start to see roots, cover them with soil to prevent them from drying out. Propagating new plants from leaves and stem cuttings is not a quick process, as it may take up to a year for the new plant to be fully grown.
Identifying
When you buy a succulent at the store, it may not be labeled. Or it will be labeled simply as "succulent" or "succulent variety." This can be frustrating, as different succulents have different growth requirements. However, there are many avenues you can take to help you identify your plant. The first may be to ask the seller. If they are unsure, you may identify your succulent with a photo using an online forum.
A more complicated way to identify your succulent is to examine its characteristics, such as leaf shape and growth habits.
Leaf shape
Succulents come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. Therefore, the leaf shapes can vary greatly among the different kinds. However, the leaves are generally long and spikey or small and circular. Succulents with long, spikey leaves include Aloe vera, Agave, and Gasteria. Within the spikey-leaved category, the leaves may be grass-like or fleshy. The succulents with circular leaves are rose-shaped. They are called rosette-forming succulents and include Aeonium, Echeveria, and Graptopeltum.
Rosette type
Succulents that grow in rosettes feature close clusters of leaves that radiate from the center as a flower would. These leaves may be pointed or round, fleshy, or grass-like.
Configuration
Some succulents grow in long stalks, others grow close to the ground and spread out. Succulents may change in configuration as they mature, so waiting until they are mature may help identify them.
Plant size
The plant's size may help you identify it and determine where it should be grown. Smaller plants, measuring just a few inches in height and width, are best suited for indoor cultivation. Larger plants can be best grown outside.
Flower shape and color
Flowers are one of the easiest ways to identify a plant. If your succulent blooms, pay attention to the shape, size, color, and even the time of year they bloom.
Indoor Succulents
Succulents are a popular choice for houseplants because they require minimal maintenance. A Jade Plant is a classic choice and is easy to grow. Aloe vera is also popular. Burro's Tail is a pretty plant that can add some interest to your interior. It has overlapping leaves that can reach up to 3 feet (90 cm) in length and hang over the edge of the pot.
Christmas Cactus and Thanksgiving Cactus bloom during the holidays and offer some color during the year when they can be hard to find. Keep these plants outside in a sheltered area in the summer and fall. Bring them indoors when the overnight temperatures begin to drop into the 40s. Fertilize the plants three times during the summer and keep them drier in the winter than in the spring and summer.
One of the easiest houseplants to keep is the Snake Plant. It gets its name from the shape of its leaves. This indestructible houseplant strives for neglect. It grows upright and can fit into many locations in the home. There are also many varieties, some of which are variegated, offering a range of options.
Outdoor Succulents
The most common succulents you will find to grow outside are Yucca, Prickly Pear Cactus, and Agave. These plants are great for landscaping.
The members of the genus Sempervivum are commonly known as Hens and Chicks. They get their name from the mother plant (the hen) that produces a cluster of offsets (the chicks). They are an easy plant to grow in the sunny part of the yard.
Sedum, commonly known as Stonecrops, are great groundcover succulents as most are low-growing. Some are taller and look best in the middle of the garden. They grow well in a typical garden but do best in drier conditions. Sedums also grow well in full sun or partial sun.
Planting Succulents
When planting succulents in your garden, you should pay attention to the soil. If your soil is not naturally well-draining, you will need to mix in some sand or gravel to improve drainage. No succulents can tolerate standing water, so well-draining soil is key.
Rock gardens feature various rocks and help mimic the native habitats of many succulents, making the landscaped succulents look more natural. You can also plant the succulents in groups to help them look purposeful and avoid planting in rows, which can create the effect of soldiers in a row.
Source: backyardville.com
Links
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus