Succulents are the perfect plants for forgetful and sometimes neglectful gardeners. They do not require much care and are easy to grow indoors as well as 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 stand periods of drought instead of pulling water stored in their parts. They do not do well in wet conditions as their roots will rot if sitting 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, the four things to consider when caring for succulents are light, water, soil, and temperature.
Light
Both indoor and outdoor succulents generally need at least 3 hours of direct sun daily. Morning sunlight is preferable, as the afternoon sun can be too harsh. Some succulents that receive too much sun may be damaged and look 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 is the 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 the leaves spaced out more. Colored succulents may also turn green if they do not receive enough light.
Water
Succulents grow in arid climates and, as a result, do not need much water. When watering your plants, be sure the soil is dry before you water. 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 tell this occurs if the leaves turn black and mushy and may start to grow mold. Generally, most succulents need to be watered 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 vital for succulents because too much moisture will 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 for cacti and succulents designed to drain better than regular potting soil. You can make your own if you cannot find a commercial potting mix.
Temperature
Most succulents can tolerate a large range of temperatures if they get the right amount of sun 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 end of the cutting is dry, it is time to plant it. The leaf does not need to be planted and instead 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 so as not to dry 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.
The more complicated way to identify your succulent is to look at the plant's characteristics, such as leaf shape and growing habits.
Leaf shape
Succulents come in many 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 rosette 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 age may help identify them.
Plant size
The plant's size may help you identify it and determine where it should be grown. Smaller plants, just a few inches tall and wide, can be best suited indoors. 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 do not require much 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 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 variegated, to offer many 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 need to mix in some sand or gravel to help the drainage. No succulents can tolerate standing water, so well-draining soil is key.
Rock gardens feature various rocks and help mimic many succulents' native habits, helping 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