Spoiler Alert: Growing Succulents Is Fairly Easy
Succulents are a huge group of plants that are idea for man areas of the country and can be grown indoors as houseplants. Even if they are not suitable for your planting zone, they can be used as annuals in flower pots and containers. Their wide variety of unique textures and forms offer characteristics that can be difficult to find in other plant groups. With the right conditions and care, succulent plants with thrive in your landscape, home and office.
How Succulents Are Different Than Other Plants
Succulent plants thrive in dry environments with low humidity. They tend to have thick, fleshy leaves, some thicker than others. These leaves help the plants survive in their tough environments by having the ability to store water in their leaves. It is this ability that allows them to survive when water is lean.
How To Care For Succulents
Succulents are fairly easy to grow but like all plants, require the correct growing conditions.
Light – Most succulents grow in full sun conditions but this is not a hard and true rule. Some thrive in the shadow of others or in the understory of treed areas. The best bet is to know what light conditions your specific variety requires.
Water – Succulents do prefer dr conditions. Too much water will stress the plant or even cause it to rot. Water sparingly but do not ignore them, they still do require some water. Let the soil dry out completely, and then water thoroughly.
Soil – Succulents do not like normal potting soil. The soil in their natural environments is usually sandy or rocky. Combine potting soil with sand and perlite to emulate this environment.
Design Tips For Using Succulents
- Group succulents together. Because there is such a wide variety of textures and forms, grouping them together can create stunning containers or garden spaces.
- Group together but do not overcrowd. Succulents like their space.
- Know your varieties, some can get quite large.
- Sometimes simple is best. Some varieties are so unique that displaying them by themselves maybe simply interesting enough.
Some Of Our Favorite Succulents
Agave americana – American Century Plan
Let’s start with a big one. Grows to 3′ – 6′ tall and 6′ – 10′ wide, give this plant plenty of room. With blue-green foliage, it makes a great landscape focal point or accent and can be used in pots away from foot traffic.
Euphorbia myrsinites – Donkey Tail Spurge
Now to the smaller end of the scale. This delightful plant grows about 6″ x 6″. Very architecturally interesting in rock gardens or at the edge of a flower pot.
Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Sticks On Fire’ – Pencil Tree
Add some brilliant color into your garden. Striking reddish-orange, gold, and light green succulent. Needs sun to maintain bright fire-like colors. Slow growing, but will grow into a large shrub over time.
Euphorbia lomelii – Slipper Plant
One of the best container plants for warm climates. In the fall and spring, unusual orange-red slipper-shaped flowers appear along the stems.
Sedum makinoi ‘Ogon’ – Stonecrop
Most noted for its bright green foliage, Sedum makinoi ‘Ogon’ features star-like yellow-green flowers in the summer. Makes a great edging to a garden or flowing from flower pots.
Sedum spectabile ‘Autumn Joy’ – Autumn Joy Stonecrop
A gardener’s favorite. Tough and resilient. Adds lots of late season color with it’s rosy blooms in late summer to early fall. Even the dried flowers add a unique look.
Sedum spurium ‘Tricolor’ – Caucasian Stonecrop
Frequently grown as a groundcover, Sedum spurium ‘Tricolor’ features green leaves with white margins tinged with pink. The plant is evergreen in warm winter climates. Star-shaped pink flowers bloom from late spring to mid-summer.
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