What are succulents? It’s a question you might be pondering if you consider your thumb more brown than green. These pretty and popular plants are known to be resilient, low-water alternatives to flowers that require very little hands-on care.
But what are succulents exactly, and what are the best practices to keep them thriving in your garden?
What are succulents?
Simply put, succulents are plants that have adapted to survive extended periods of dry weather by storing water in their leaves and stems. However, they need a regular watering about once a week. Cacti are well-known succulents, but not all succulents possess their distinctive prickles.
“Their low-maintenance nature has made [succulents] popular for both indoor and outdoor use,” says Justin Hancock, a horticulturist at Costa Farms in Miami, FL. “There are truly thousands of succulent varieties available, and in a large number of colors, shapes, and sizes.”
A couple of his favorite varieties include the panda plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa), which features fuzzy gray leaves that just beg to be touched.
How much do they cost?
The price of a succulent varies based on the species, its size, where you buy it, whether it’s in season, and your geographical location. Be prepared to spend about $15 to $25 for a pack of six 2.5-inch succulents. Your local nursery or garden center should have a good assortment for purchase.
Plenty of sunlight
More than 60 plant families are considered succulents, requiring various types of care. However, most like direct sunlight outside or a sunny spot inside, next to a windowsill or on a well-lit desk.
“While succulents like lots of light, they’re not fussy about the type of light, so you can grow them in a bright cubicle or office, even if you don’t have a window to hit them with direct sunlight,” he says.
Water them, but not too much
Landscape architect Pamela Burton of Pamela Burton and Company in Santa Monica, CA, says the biggest mistakes people make with succulents are over- and underwatering.
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“Succulents are drought-tolerant, but withholding all water will cause them to shrivel up and die,” Burton says. On the other hand, giving a succulent too much water could prevent air from reaching the roots, which could lead to soft rot.
The key is to select a well-draining potting soil mix and let the mix dry out between watering. Several potting soil mixes have been formulated specifically to grow cacti and succulents.
One way to test if indoor plants need water is to insert a toothpick in the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. If the toothpick comes out clean, they could use some water. If it comes out with little bits of potting mix on it, then there’s probably enough moisture, and they don’t need to be watered yet.
A succulent grower’s best practices
Before you buy a succulent or two, go over these rules of (green) thumb:
- Make sure your climate is right. Succulents love dry climates and are sensitive to frost, so if you live in a rainy location or somewhere that’s subject to seasonal freezing, you’ll probably want to keep them indoors.
- Sun exposure should be balanced. You don’t want your succulents to have too much or too little sunlight. If your home is near the coast ,where clouds are common, plant the succulents in a location that you know gets good sunlight. If you live inland, plant them in moderate shade.
- Buy the right type of soil. The type of soil you plant your succulents in should be fast-drying, not clay-filled.
- Pot the right way. Make sure you plant your succulent in a pot that allows water to drain. If you choose to plant your succulents outside in gravel, be sure the gravel won’t get too hot and that the plants can absorb rainwater.
There’s no doubt about it, succulents are delightfully textural and easy to incorporate into any home garden, whether your aesthetic is modern, bohemian, shabby chic, or Southwestern. Happy growing!
