Anyone who knows me personally also knows that many a succulent has met its unfortunate end while under my watch. What a way to start a blog on tips for growing succulents, am I right? This month, I attended a workshop all about succulents, which included a long list of care tips from the hostess. I left with a whole lot of inspiration and motivation. Not to mention a pretty fab pot of succulents I pieced together myself (see photo above).
It’s a goal of mine in the coming months to keep these succulents alive. But not just alive… happy and healthy, too. There’s a difference! If you’re new to growing succulents, or if you’ve struggled to keep them alive in the past, this post is for you. I’ll be growing right along with you.
Tip 1: Choose the Right Pot
You want to be sure that the pot you choose has a drainage hole. This is one of biggest mistakes that first-time succulent growers make. If you purchase a succulent already planted in a pot with no drainage hole, repot as soon as possible! Terracotta clay pots are always a safe bet if you’re overwhelmed by the selection at a garden center. Along with having numerous sizes, these pots are budget-friendly and can be purchased with a matching saucer. If you don’t like the tan color, they’re easy to paint!
Tip 2: Use a Specialized Soil
Succulents have their own unique needs when it comes to soil. Choose specifically a cactus and succulent soil when potting your plant. This soil is much lighter, allowing water to drain quickly without retaining extra moisture. Succulents retain most of their water in their leaves. Once they’re done soaking from the roots, they won’t need additional moisture from the dirt for a couple of weeks.
Tip 3: Plant a Healthy Succulent
This may seem obvious, but choosing a healthy succulent to plant means a greater chance of success. Pick a succulent that has full foliage, a good color, and is free from dead or dying leaves. Fill your pot 1/3 with soil, then pack a little of it around the sides. Gently remove your succulent from the plastic and place it in the pot, then pack additional soil around the base. Leave a quarter-inch between the soil level and the top of the pot to make watering easier. Once planted, remove any leaves that die and keep an eye out for insects.
Tip 4: Water with Caution
Over watering and under watering succulents are two mistakes that many people make. I’m clearly included in this percentage. Water your succulents only until a little water drains into the saucer, then remove this excess. You won’t need to water your plant again until the soil feels completely dry and crumbly. This could be one week or three weeks, depending on the climate and temperature. Puckering leaves means it’s time to water, but soggy and wrinkled leaves mean the soil is too wet.
Tip 5: Optimize the Natural Light
The majority of succulents prefer bright, indirect sunlight. Keep them in areas of your home that receive at least 4-6 hours of morning light each day. Afternoon light is often too harsh for these plants, which can also fall victim to sunburn. In the winter, when light is scarce, you may want to consider a grow light that can provide the necessary amount of light during these months. If your succulents are outside, be sure to house them indoors when the temperature gets cold, too.
Tip 6: Don’t Forget to Fertilize
Succulents naturally create their own food through photosynthesis, but you can also give them a nutritional boost with fertilizer. How often you need to fertilize your succulent depends on the type, so be sure to do a little research to know what your succulent needs! (Many succulents thrive if fertilized about once a month.) Then, simply incorporate the recommended fertilization to your normal watering schedule.
Which Succulent Is Right for You?
Now that you know a few basic tips for growing succulents, you may be wondering which type is right for you and your home. These five succulents are all great for first-time growers and have different benefits:
- Zebra Plant: handles low sun and low water well
- Aloe Vera: loves bright light and infrequent watering
- Rainbow Elephant Bush: forgiving to over waterers
- Panda Plant: thrives in dry climates and bright light
- Gasteria: tolerates sporadic watering and low light
Succulents add a pop of fresh color to your home, without being too demanding. In fact, most succulent casualties probably occur due to too much nurturing. Just give your succulent a little space, and you should have a thriving plant long-term! Have you been successful with succulents? Or are you like me? I’d love to know!
XO,
Micah
What are the three types in your photo? So pretty! (Will you be my expert if I host a succulent party? 😀 )
I’m still trying to figure that out myself! Ha! And I’d love to be 😁