Grow tents are a great alternative to greenhouses for those looking to grow their plants on the cheap. Made of durable plastic and designed with both indoor or outdoor use in mind, these shelters give you all the control over your plant's environment as any top-of-the line greenhouse would at an affordable price point.
Succulent plants are known to be hardy and easy to grow, but they can still succumb to the heat or cold. For those who want a less hands-on approach in their garden while maintaining quality succulents year round, investing in a good grow tent is worth considering. They will not only protect your plant from harsh weather conditions during winter months (or summer for some climates), it also provides an enclosed environment where you're able create ideal growing conditions!
One of the best things about succulent grow tents is that they are fairly easy to set up and take care of. It's really simple, too! All you have to do is set one up inside or outside in your garage and basement so it won't matter when winter comes around again with its cold temperatures. You can also attach a portable AC unit at some point during summertime, then all will stay nice and cool enough for your plant garden no matter what time of year we're talking about here.
If you want to learn more about grow tents, the best way to get started is to buy one and test it out yourself. You won't always get it right the first time, but you'll learn from the mistakes you make along the way. Start by putting in a few succulents and see how they do. It's all about finding a succulent grow tent system that works for you.
]]>Not all succulents were created equal. Some are not the easygoing, laid back plants we were hoping for when we purchased them.
Some are quite fussy about what they want, what they'll deal with, and die before you've taken the time to learn anything about them.
And that's what this article is about - the hardest succulents to grow and care for, why they are that way, and what you can do to try and mitigate your losses with these plants.
Let's get right into it.
By far the best-selling plant we have. We've been out of them since June and sold all 4500 of them we grew in preparation for this year.
Of these sold, about 900 of them were replacements for people who murdered them... mostly due to lack of knowledge.
In a nutshell, String of Pearls want bright indirect light, a good soaking of the soil when the soil is dry AF, and warm temperature. We created a Succulent Spotlight on these with more detailed care information if you want to learn more.
Give them direct sunlight, a drop of water when they don't want it, and too cold or hot temperatures... and they go kaput.
And don't even get me started on the Variegated String of Pearls... who knows what makes those beauties tick. We don't even consider selling them because of how finicky they are. I swear... one time I looked at one the wrong way and the next day it was gone. 😂
It's always the pretty ones that seem to give our customers the most trouble. :)
Kiwis are gorgeous plants with lovely shades of cream, green, pink, bright pink and the colors vary by season... I literally never know what's going to happen next with their foliage.
What I think confuses people most about are 2 things:
1.) Aeonium go dormant in the spring and summer and go active in the fall and winter.
Understanding that Aeonium want mostly shade, and little to no water in the warmer months can be hard to wrap your head around - especially if you have other types of succulents that are actively growing.
They stop actively growing, and maybe get a little withered around this time - which makes you think they need something like water or fertilizer, or both, and it ends up killing the plant.
They just want to chill out right now and hibernate. They don't need much from you but shade, love and support.
2.) Kiwis, and their cousins, the Sunburst - both absolutely hate when their leaves are touched with bare hands.
The natural oils from your skin will bruise the plants. It won't kill them, but they sure will look like they are dying. Dark spots will start popping up wherever your greasy hands touched them in a matter of days.
Customers seem to have a problem with these because of misinformation and the fact that they are so fragile.
The misinformation mostly stems from the myth that all Sedum are frost hardy. The truth is only some Sedum are frost hardy, and the Donkey's Tail is definitely not one of them.
In fact, they love pretty much the same environment and care as the String of Pearls - bright indirect light, water only when soil is bone dry, etc.
They are also very fragile plants. A gust of wind can knock off a few of their fat leaves... so imagine what an aggressive shipping carrier can do to these???
Because of how chubby this plant is, they are extra sensitive to over-watering and because of their light green foliage they don't care for direct sunlight.
These tend to be the most gorgeous succulents out there in the market. While we have a few, we don't have the fancy ones... nor would we want to.
Compton Carousels and Silver Prince are drop-dead gorgeous succulents, but they are some of the most difficult plants to care for.
Add a price tag of $20 - $60 for a 2-inch or 4-inch per succulent AND a novice succulent grower - that's a recipe for disaster. You're literally better off burning your cash.
It's important customers understand that not all hybrid succulents are difficult to care for. But some are VERY sensitive to light, heat, and water.
Due to cross-breeding, we find that not all hybrid succulents are not low-maintenance, easy to care plants.
But make sure you know what you're getting yourself into with these expensive beauties. Compton Carousel seem to do best in greenhouses... Do you have a greenhouse?
Too much sun, not enough sun, filtered sun, indirect sunlight, bright shade, and what temperatures it needs, etc - is all important information to have before bringing these into your home or garden collection.
As with anything, you live and your learn. If you do it right, you learn from your mistakes.
Succulent care doesn't have to be difficult, but certain succulents out there will be more difficult than others.
Do the small things right, and branch out from there. Happy Planting!
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Hello Houston, Texas - Let's show you how to successfully grow succulents in your area year-round.
As I was doing my research on Houston's climate, something especially unique caught my eye - it's the world capital of air conditioning. Sounds like it gets a little hot. :)
Air conditioning actually helped Houston become what it is today - on track to being one of the top 3 populated cities in the nation, where over 90% of homes have AC units and most run them 7 months out of the year due to the heat and humidity.
While Houston technically has 4 seasons temperature wise, it really only has 2 weathers - rainy and dry.
With the right placement and precautions, succulents will do just fine here.
Let's get into care by season and plant type (soft and hardy varieties), some tips, and we'll finish it off with succulents in particular that I recommend for your area.
Fall weather typically stays within a 40 degree F low and 80 degree F high, making it perfect for most succulents, with a little extra care.
There's the Gulf of Mexico nearby, which can sometimes bring in heavy rains, and every so often, hurricanes - but that doesn't happen often and when it does, you'll have time to prepare your plants for it.
Soft Succulents
While technically they can be planted in the ground here - there's a couple of things to consider:
1.) 40 degree weather is the absolute lowest temperature a soft succulent can handle - covering them with frost cloth overnight and keeping track of weather is important
2.) flooding - succulents in general despise prolonged wetness so long periods of time
3.) the chance of hurricanes is worrisome as they will get pummeled by debris
Planting your succulents in raised beds with a fast draining soil or planted in containers that can be easily be moved indoors is a good option too.
Hardy Succulents
They can handle the cold, down to -20 degrees F, but would not be safe in a flooding or hurricane. You could gamble it and plant them in the garden, or be safe and plant them in containers or a raised bed.
While the fear of flooding and hurricanes goes away in Houston over the Winter, the cold is next hurdle you have to figure out. A winter here is relatively dry and mild, with a few scattered days of below freezing temperatures.
Soft Succulents
Should be planted in containers that can be easily moved indoors when needed. Keep an eye on your weather forecast, especially the lows at night. The frost will destroy your plants overnight outside.
If succulents don't have access to sunlight, grab some full-spectrum grow lights to keep them from stretching out.
Hardy Succulents
These will be just fine outdoors - in the ground or planted in containers. No notes needed. :)
Perfect weather for succulents - both soft and hardy versions. Rainy season officially starts in Spring and the lightning rain storms are magical for succulents. It's a great time to get your raised succulent garden beds all set up to enjoy.
All you need to do is ensure your succulents are placed or planted in spots that get early morning sunlight and afternoon shade to avoid succulent sunburns.
Very humid and very hot can be quite unpleasant for you, but succulents in general will do best here with little to no help from you.
If you plant them in places that provide them with early morning sunlight and afternoon shade, and provide them with a very, very fast draining soil mix to keep the roots dry between water, they will be fine.
Due to the high humidity, it is very possible your succulents will not need to be manually watered over your Houston summer.
I cannot emphasize enough how much the soil will play a role in keeping your succulent's roots dry. Planting them in a heavy pumice, light soil mix would be best.
If you won't or can't figure out a good soil mix that's extra fast draining, it's best to bring them indoors.
Succulents that can handle the Houston weather, in our opinion, are:
1.) Cacti - they can handle the heat and adjust to the indoors when moved inside.
2.) Frost hardy varieties will do well outdoors if you can find them a dry place - in a container that can be moved
3.) All succulents if you plant them in containers and keep track of your weather forecast - moving them indoors when it gets too hot, or too rainy.
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Some succulents absolutely thrive outdoors in the hot summer months. They soak up the summer sun to produce vibrant and lively colors and require little water unless exposed to extreme heat or too much sun.
But when the cold autumn and winter months roll around, these plants usually need to be brought indoors where they can be protected from the harsh conditions.
Transitioning your succulents from summer to fall can help to prepare them for these long months spent indoors.
Keep reading to find out more about succulent care and preparing succulents for fall season!
The exact answer to this question will largely depend on your local climate. Autumn nights can bring freezing temperatures that can last into the morning after sunrise.
An important part of succulent care is protecting them from the freezing cold conditions. Soft succulents can’t handle freezing temperatures since they store so much water in their stems or leaves. Freezing the plant will damage its structure and overall health.
Your soft succulents should ideally be planted in containers and brought indoors at the first sign of cold frosty nights. Depending on where you live, this may be earlier in the fall season than in other places.
Keep an eye on the temperature and upcoming weather forecasts. Most succulents will need to be brought indoors when the temperature dips below 40℉.
However, some species are even less resistant to frost than others. Aloe, Crassula, and Echeveria are just some of these more delicate types of succulents that will need be brought indoors when temperatures dip below 45℉.
Step 1
The first step of preparing succulents for fall season is to move them inside. But before you do that, their soil should first be cleaned up and closely inspected for any signs of infestation.
Step 2
Remove any leaves, twigs, or other debris, and watch closely for signs of any insects. If you spot anything that shouldn’t be there, make sure to change the succulent’s soil, and maybe even the pot, before bringing it inside the house.
Succulent care during the indoor seasons is actually quite simple. As long as the plant gets enough water and sunlight, it will thrive indoors.
Placement is crucial when transitioning your succulent inside. The best place to put it is near a window where it can receive at least 6 hours of indirect sunlight per day. As with all plants, you should also take care to keep it away from heat sources such as vents.
If you know you have cloudy seasons, invest in some full spectrum artificial grow lights.
If your succulent is dormant you can expect to water it less during its indoor phase. Regardless of which kind it is, you should always water your succulent once its soil becomes completely dry.
Have some questions or need some help transitioning your succulents inside for the fall and winter seasons? Send us an email anytime!
]]>If you live in Chicago and want to successfully grow and care for succulents, this guide is for you.
So much of Chicago's weather is impacted by a large body of water, Lake Michigan.
Chilling cold winters and humid summers make succulent care quite tricky and we get lots of questions about what to do. Usually these questions come in a bit too late as the damage from humidity or frost has already taken hold of the succulents.
To make the guide extra helpful and easy to follow, we'll break down the care by season and succulent type. Soft succulents are plants that prefer temperatures to stay above 40 degrees F. Hardy succulents can handle temperatures down to -20 degrees.
We sprinkle in some seasonal planting tips along the way, and then we'll dive into what succulents tend to thrive indoors and outdoors year-round. You're welcome! Let's dive in!
This tends to be the most easygoing of climates for Chicago, but it has a ruthless, overnight potential to be a bit extreme.
Sometimes the summer's extreme heat and humidity can roll into the traditional Autumn months. Other times, the harsh winter-like weather rears its chilly head.
Soft Succulents
The weather can be so wild Autumn, I would suggest you plant soft succulents in containers small enough to bring indoors as often as you need to. Extreme humidity and cold can both kill your succulents in a matter of a night.
Hardy Succulents
Frost hardy succulents can do well outdoors and planted in the ground if the temperatures stay above -20 degrees. If your weather drops below that, it's important to invest in and place some frost cloth over your succulents to keep them just a bit warmer and keep them from freezing over.
Oooof. I haven't personally experienced a Chicago winter, and from what I read and hear from customers... I am not sure I'd want to. No offense! :)
A Chicago winter tends to be unreasonably cold and usually snowy, with a heavy snowstorm that happens every 3-4 years.
Soft Succulents
Keep these indoors all season. Ideally you have a warm spot for them and because of the lack of sunlight during this time, invest in some full spectrum grow lights.
Placing these succulents near a windowsill might prove to be too cold for them because of how cold it is outdoors. Best to keep succulents away from the windowsill and instead, place them in a warm room that will provide them will full spectrum artificial light. This will ensure they do not stretch and are healthy.
It's also important that where you place them indoors matters. Keep them away from drafty heater vents as this can cause them to dry out quicker and damage the plant.
Hardy Succulents
Because of the potential for lots of snow, plant your hardy succulents into either a raised bed or sloped garden with a fast draining soil. This will ensure the succulents and soil are not wet for too long
The windchill could drop temperatures down significantly, so grab your trusty frost cloth and protect your plants in your garden during the time. Use stakes or rocks to ensure the frost cloth is securely held down on these windy and freezing days.
If it drops below -20 degrees for an extended period of time, it's possible your frost hardy succulents will not survive this.
To be safe, you could plant them in pots that can be transported indoors when freezing and windy weather comes in.
What an unpredictable season for Chicago. Normally spring is all about birds, bees and blooms, but not so much here.
Winter snows has been known to hang around through May with 7 degree F temperatures. But then there's also the possibility for 100 degree F high humidity weather.
Soft Succulents
Because of the unpredictability of spring, you can bring your plants outdoors but keep a close eye on the weather forecast. I suggest keeping your plants in containers that can be easily moved indoors when need be.
If you know it's going to be on the warm or hot side, place your succulents outdoors in an area that provides early morning sunlight and afternoon shade.
Hardy Succulents
Your hardy succulents will typically be okay outdoors, but because of the sun factor it is important to plant them in ground and place their container in a spot that gets early morning sunlight and afternoon shade.
This season is all about heat waves and humidity. Succulents will need less from you now than any other season. Let me explain:
Soft Succulents
Because of the high humidity, it's very possible your succulents that are outdoors will never need to be watered. The moisture in the air could be enough to sustain the plants without ever needing to be manually watered.
If the humidity is very high for a few consecutive days in a row, I might suggest bringing these plants indoors to protect them from all that moisture.
Some people use a dehumidifier indoors near their succulents to reduce the moisture in the air.
Hardy Succulents
Like soft succulents, your outdoor plants may not ever need to be manually watered over the summer because of all that moisture in the air.
Make sure you have an extra fast draining soil by adding lots of pumice or perlite to the soil.
There's lots to be concerned about when deciding on succulents in Chicago, but what we find is that most of our Chicago customers have the most success with:
Some items you might want to invest in for your succulents on days or seasons they need come indoors are:
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Which is better for succulents - Grow Lights or Sunlight?
Stacy lives in Indiana and conducted this test for us. Due to living in Indiana, she has a room filled with full spectrum grow lights. This is mostly because in the fall and winter months, temperatures gets a tad too cold to keep soft succulents outside, and sunlight is far and few between.
You can follow Stacy on Instagram.
Here's her results!
I wanted to do an experiment on which lighting is better for succulents, what effect they would have on the plants, and which one would grow faster.
To test this theory I was presented with two Haworthia Zebra Plant succulents - To get your very own Zebra Plants, click here.
They were both the same height and age.
They will also receive the same amount of light and water during this experiment.
I labeled one Plant A and the other Plant B.
Plant A would only have natural light from a windowsill and Plant B would get artificial light from a full spectrum grow light.
They both got the same amount of light a day.
Plant A got twelve hours of sun and Plant B got twelve hours of artificial light.
On January 26th I measured the starting height of both to begin with.
I measure them once a week for two months.
Date | Plant A - Natural Light | Plant B - Artificial Light |
January 26th | 3 1/4” | 3 3/16” |
February 2nd | 3 5/16” | 3 5/16” |
February 9th | 3 3/8" | 3 7/16” |
February 16th | 3 7/16" | 3 9/16” |
February 23rd | 3 1/2" | 3 11/16” |
March 1st | 3 9/16” | 3 13/16” |
March 8th | 3 5/8” | 3 15/16” |
March 15th | 3 11/16" | 4 1/16” |
Plant B Artificial grew 1/16” the first and second month.
So in conclusion the Artificial Light worked better than the Natural Sunlight from the windowsill.
This was hard to believe since you would think that natural lighting from the sun would give plants everything they need.
But in this case the plant with the full spectrum grow light did better.
This could be because maybe on cloudy days Plant A didn't get enough sunlight or when it rained.
Or it could be that maybe Plant B was always destined to be larger than Plant A.
There was a noticeable difference between the colors of the Haworthia.
Plant B turned very dark green, almost black color.
Plant A did not change colors at all.
I believe the cloudy days and natural sunlight from a windowsill had less of a stress effect on Plant A.
The consistency of the artificial light for 12 hours played a huge role in changing the color. One flip of the switch meant a consistent flow of sunlight for the Haworthia, causing it to stress in color.
This was a fun experiment. Try your own test at home and document the results!
]]>You’re here because you often lay awake at night wondering if succulents love the crowds.
Let me just tell ya now, they do indeed.
If succulents were human, they’d be the life of the party, at Coachella every year, and would most definitely be lifetime Disneyland annual passholders - they effing LOVE crowds.
There are only two plants I can think of that have them beat at the crowd-game: grass… and wheat. Anything else I missed? Outside of succulents, why lie, I am not well-versed on plants. :)
They aren’t allergic to social situations with crowds but they could use a little space if you want them to grow.
Let’s dive in a bit more on the subject..
Succulents have a few minor reactions to their crowded environments, most of which you won’t notice unless you planted one succulent in pot and a ton of succulents in a container next to it. It also really depends on seasons, as we’ll explain now.
No matter what season you’re in, planting a bunch of succulents close together always looks great.
The thing is - they are also going through their active growing phase - this is that fun period when roots and plants grow, new babies are created and blooms start blooming.
The crowding will actually stunt their growth.
The growing roots will grow and become tangled with other roots. Eventually the roots will take over the entire pot - we call this root-bound. This triggers the plant to stop growing.
Both of these are no big deal and won’t hurt the plant. But if your goal is to have them grow, crowding them will not help you achieve this goal.
The babies and the blooms will still come in - nature will always prevail. But the babies may be harder to spot. The blooms will be oblivious to all of it.
Most succulents will go through their dormant phase around this time.
Growing phases, babies and blooms are not really a thing you have to worry about at this time.
This is a great time to crowd your succulents in pots because nothing is really happening.
Succulents will not grow fast in crowded arrangements. The more space it has, the faster it will grow.
I don’t recommend planting a 2 inch succulents in a 1 gallon container. It’s too much space that can have a negative impact on the health of the plant - too much soil for not enough roots can keep a deep pot of soil too moist, resulting in root rot.
You want to baby step them into larger pots.
Taking a 2 inch plant into a 4 inch container will have much better results and produce healthier plants.
Once it fills the 4 inch container with plant or root growth, then re pot it into the next size.
Now that you know what to expect in the Spring and Summer months - active growing phase - I have a tip for you.
When planting your succulents into an arrangement, you can give them a little space between each plant to grow into.
Maybe a half inch to one inch space would be ideal and not so noticeable.
Between the empty spaces, you could add a decorative rock to make it look full.
Over the active phase of succulents, it could take 2 weeks to 3 months for it to fill in.
Doing this will help you achieve the aesthetic of a crowded arrangement, while also letting your plants grow and get bigger.
The same rules apply to planting an outdoor succulent landscape.
I would give them a bit more space since outdoor succulents have the potential to grow faster because they are out in the open.
Give them 1 to 3 inch space between plants.
It may look funky at first, but when it fill in, trust me… you won’t regret the end result.
And that's about it, folks. There really isn't much else to say. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to us.
]]>If you’ve been in the plant game for a while there’s a good chance you’ve come across mealybugs.
If you’re new to plants you probably didn’t even notice them the first time around.
Why would you assume that white cottony looking stuff in your succulent garden was anything but… cotton?
How could you believe there was actually a quiet pest infestation taking over your precious succulents?
You wouldn’t - because you’re a plant person and plant people tend to be optimists.
We believe in planting today for tomorrow... and all that jazz.
You hear mealybugs and you automatically picture little tiny bugs crawling around.
At least I was the first time - but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
It actually looks like a cotton-candy looking substance. They’re sticky, white and look like white cotton candy got into a vicious food fight and some of it sprinkled onto your succulents.
Mealybugs are unarmored scale insects from the family Pseudococcidae.
Mealybugs are tiny insects that live off a plant’s juices.
They eat through the leaf to get to a succulent’s storage reserves - these open wounds expose the succulent to bacterial and fungal disease.
If you zoom in on the image at the very top of this article, you can see the succulent leaves remain plump, but they do start to take on a bumpy look. They end up looking a bit distorted, especially in the center of the plant.
Mealybugs thrive in warm and moist environments - think greenhouse, cozy indoor areas and outdoor plants in warm climates.
They will usually hide deep in-between your rosette succulent leaves.
If you have a favorite plant, it usually goes after that one.
Mealybugs can spread like wildfire.
If it’s on one plant you can be sure it’s spread to neighboring plants or an entire section of the garden.
It's important to first move your infected plants away from healthy plants.
Depending on your collection and garden, this could be easy or tedious. The point is to minimize the amount of plants infected.
You have many options to choose from to treat your succulent - mealybug situation.
Let’s go over them:
Dilute these with water and put in spray bottle
Some need to be diluted with water so make sure to check the bottle
You can literally spray the plants and walk away.
If you want bonus points - you can do these 2 extra steps:
You can go to any store or order them online.
You should treat your succulents in the late afternoon when it gets cooler OR when your plants are no longer in direct sunlight.
Watering or spraying liquids to your plants when it’s exposed to the sun can lead to scorch marks and water spots.
Fun Fact: You might’ve been surprised to see Windex as an option to treat mealybugs, but many people swear it works, and it doesn’t leave water / streak marks on your plants. :)
Oh no! Sad to say it, but it’s best to remove it.
Blooms take so much energy to produce for a succulent, and although it’s pretty, you’re better off removing the whole thing if it’s not healthy.
]]>Succulent babies, offsets, and offshoots are all the same thing. Your treasured succulents are doing so well they have decided it's time to give birth.
Congratulations! You have mastered the art of proper watering, the best soil, getting them just enough sunlight and copious amounts of neglect; all things succulents yearn for.
You"ll notice this new growth typically when these plants are in their active growing phase. For most, this will be in the Spring and Summer months. A few will occur in Fall and Winter. Blooms and offsets will usually occur at the same time.
To ensure their success, know when and where to look, know your plant's offset growth tendencies, be patient, and what to do next.
As mentioned before, most succulents will produce babies in the Spring and Summer months.
Echeveria, Graptoveria, Haworthia, and Sempervivum (to name a few) will all produce new plants if they are doing well. These will occur in Spring and Summer.
Aeoniums will produce many offsets in the Fall and Winter months.
If you start noticing new blooms, know that there's a good chance offsets or offshoots are likely coming. These plants will keep you guessing, so don't expect blooms to occur first. Offsets can come before blooms.
Also, just because a plant blooms doesn't mean it will produce new babies.
With the exception of Sempervivums, most offsets will be found near the base of the soil at the bottom of the plant. These come right off the stem, and there might be one, two or even three (if you're lucky).
Sempervivums (image below, left side) are much easier to identify. They will roll away from the mother plant. They are attached by a stolon, a stem that feeds the offshoots all it needs to grow.
There will usually be two - eight new babies that form around the mother Sempervivum.
It's important to know that babies, especially the ones that grow at the base of your mother plant, will not affect or harm them.
The offsets might look squished or uncomfortable, but know that they are exactly where they need to be.
Trust the process of Mother Nature. They've been doing this for much longer than we have.
Remove the succulent babies prematurely, and you put it at risk to fail.
I recommend waiting until the offsets are about half the size of the mother plant before removing them. This ensures your babies have the proper nutrients and best chance for life on their own.
Once your succulents are producing offsets, you should consider repotting them in a slightly larger pot to accommodate the hen and new chicks.
Once the offsets are half the size of the mother plant, you can cut them off using a pair of pruners.
Wait for the cut to callous over. Place them on top of fresh soil, don't water, place them in a shady, but bright area, and neglect them.
Soon enough, they'll root into the soil and voila! You have successfully made one to eight new plants to play with.
]]>One of the best ways to add life to your home is with life itself.
Flowers are great, but if they're not rooted they die in just a matter of days. If you have pets, there are certain plants that you cannot have indoors because they may be poisonous.
So what are your options? —succulents!
Indoor succulents are one of the most popular types of house plants to have because of their beauty and uniqueness. They're also fairly easy to maintain.
But before you run out and buy the first succulent that you find, you should read on for tips on choosing the best indoor succulents.
Succulents are a diverse group of plants that are charming and exotic. They add a variety of color and life to your home, all while purifying your air.
For the most part, succulents are great for beginners because they are low maintenance, do well in droughts, and they bounce back easily. But not all succulents are indoor-friendly.
This means you should look for succulents that don't need a lot of sun time. The more colorful varieties of succulents (the reds, oranges, and purples) are the ones that need direct sunlight, so a good rule of thumb is to stick with succulents that are more natural green.
Whether you are growing your succulents from scratch or purchasing them ready-to-go, you're going to want the best indoor succulents that will thrive in your home.
Here are the top 5 tips for choosing indoor succulents:
As mentioned before, the more colorful the succulent, the less likely it will do well indoors. green to dark green leaves are the best indicators that a plant can tolerate a lot of shade.
The darker green the leaves are, the more chloroplasts they have. This means that they will be able to produce more chlorophyll as a result, allowing the succulent to convert light energy for photosynthesis.
A few good types of indoor succulents are Aloe Vera, Gasterias and Haworthias.
Of course, if there's a room in your home that receives direct sunlight for up to six hours a day, you may have a chance at maintaining the more colorful species of succulents indoors.
Naturally, all plants will bend and grow towards the light in order to promote photosynthesis. When you have a fast-growing succulent in a low light condition, the entire plant will stretch out towards the light.
A stretched out succulent will have a long, thin stem and weak leaves that aren't all that attractive. When this happens, not only will you have a less appealing succulent to look at, but a nearly unmanageable one as well.
Cacti plants from the Aizoaceae family are the perfect slow growers for low light conditions.
If you're buying from a local store, try to avoid any damaged plants. You have to play doctor and look for any bumps, scars, tears, or mushy spots. There should also be no odd discoloration or spots. The leaves should feel firm, not mushy.
You can check the health of the succulent by gently bumping one of the leaves to see if it falls off. This is an early warning sign that the plant has been overwatered.
The leaves of the plant should look full, green and perky —not brown, wilted and droopy. You want to make sure that the succulent you're about to purchase has been well cared for. Otherwise, you're just wasting your time and money.
Mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, gnats —no, no, no and NO!
Bugs are a sign that the succulents are not being cared for properly. If they are overwatered they can begin to develop a fungus and before you know it, they are infested with bugs.
Especially Gnats are tough contenders because they reproduce quickly and if you bring them into your home they will attack anything with moisture content.
Check the succulent thoroughly before buying. If you see anything crawling around in the soil or any strange white fuzz, then that succulent is infested. In fact, you may not want to buy any succulents from a store where you see tiny little flies buzzing around and landing on the succulents because they could all easily be infested.
Bugs in your succulents don't necessarily mean that all is lost. There are plenty of ways to get rid of them. But the last thing you want is a whole new project, not to mention bugs in your home.
Succulents come in a wide variety of sizes, and it's so much fun to start with baby plants because you get to watch them grow and blossom.
But the truth is, a larger, older succulent will be more hearty and therefore much easier to maintain. They don't dry out as quickly so they don't need frequent watering. Their health will also be more visible.
A larger succulent will be more expensive, but they have withstood the test of time, and have been cared for properly. This means they are nice and strong, which also means that you are less likely to kill it.
Do not buy anything that has been painted! This should be obvious, but sometimes you just can't resist fun, bold colors.
Anything that looks sparkly, or has unnaturally bold colorings like royal blue and neon yellow have been spray painted. This means that the succulent has already been marked for death thanks to all of the chemicals in spray paint.
Just don't do it.
Now you know what to look for when choosing indoor succulents for your home. There are plenty of beautiful options out there and plenty of rooms in your home to fill.
For more information and tips on succulents and succulent care, come and check us out.
We know everything there is to know about succulents, and we have lots of options for you to choose from!
]]>The thing is, some thoughtful planning and consideration should be taken before buying and planting live succulents in your garden and home.
At the end of the day, succulent placement and precautions will ensure your succulents thrive.
Make sure you shut down or avoid using the sprinkling system where you plant or place your succulents. They will respond to the daily watering by turning yellow, then black and rotting out.
You only really want to water succulents when the soil is bone dry, so throw out any weekly or biweekly schedule you have for them to ensure they aren't getting too much water.
Use a succulent and cacti soil. And add perlite to this to increase the drainage.
Once you’ve chosen the section of your garden, dig out the traditional soil and replace with new succulent soil.
You can find succulent and cacti soil and perlite at any home and garden store.
Succulents aren’t big fans of afternoon sunlight.
Too much intense sunlight will scorch them. White marks on the foliage mean it got a light sunburn. Brown marks mean it was severe.
Consider placing your succulent in areas that provide early morning sun and afternoon shade.
Take note of trees, sections of your yard, and windows that provide the sun and shade succulents need and place or plant them there.
Glass containers are not great options for succulents that need direct sunlight. Glass containers bend light and act as a magnifying glass resulting in scorched succulents.
Glass terrariums and containers would be great for low light office succulents.
They typically don't have a drainage hole, so be extra careful when watering.
Luckily, you can see the soil through the glass. Look for difference shades of soil between the top of the soil and bottom of the soil to see if the plant needs to be watered.
The bottom of the soil is where the extra water will stay until it eventually evaporates away.
Terra cotta and ceramic containers with drainage holes are highly recommended.
The reason being these allow the soil to breath - making the soil dry out faster.
When watering, make sure the water drains out the hole. Sometimes the drainage hole may get clogged due to a variety of reason - so use a toothpick, skewer, pencil, etc to open that hole if you don't notice it is draining.
Most soft succulents (the plants we mostly carry) prefer outdoor climates to stay above 40 degrees F.
If your climate dips below that when it gets cold consider planting them in containers you can easily move indoors.
Planting succulents in your garden should be well-thought and planned out.
You should first understand the hardiness zone of your area and choose plants that will tolerate your zone.
Secondly - you should understand the sunlight patterns to ensure the plants have morning sun and afternoon shade to avoid sunburns.
Frost hardy succulents and succulents that fall within your hardiness zone can be planted in your garden year-round. To check out your hardiness zone, click here
Best for areas where Fall and Winter months are cold and cloudy for extended periods of time.
Grow lights will prevent succulent etiolation, or stretching and warmth.
Etolation occurs when the a succulent is desperate for sunlight and stretches as a last resort to get access to it. Your adorable compact succulent become "leggy" as a result.
Warmth - most soft succulents prefer temperatures to stay between 40 - 85 degrees F. The warmth of the grow light will help succulents near cold windows in cold climates.
]]>There is no set time a succulent can bloom, due to different environments and climates they are exposed to, and what type of succulent you have.
Oftentimes, most succulents bloom in the Spring and Summer months.
Make sure to give the plants some extra time in the sunlight. An hour more sunlight than usual would be ideal. It takes extra energy to push out a bloom, so a tad more sun time will do the trick.
Cut the bloom off at the base using a set of pruners. The energy it would have used to push the bloom out will now go into growing the plant or producing offsets.
Once the flower of the bloom dies, it is perfectly safe to cut the bloom off at its base. No reason to keep it there. While you’re at it, remove any dead leaves at the bottom of the plant for great plant maintenance. :)
Tend to bloom in the Spring and Summer, but you’ll notice a bloom or 2 occur in the early Fall. The colors vary by type, but will often be long yellow, white, pink and orange flowers.
Mostly get small white flower blooms in the Spring and Summer months.
Develop blooms of small to medium sized yellow and white flowers in the Spring and Summer.
Will bloom red, yellow, orange and white flowers typically in Fall and Summer months.
Will usually bloom in the Winter to Spring months and the colors will vary between orange and yellows for the most part.
These hanging and tall succulents usually bloom long stemmed white flowers in the Spring and Summer.
Blooms a white medium sized flower usually in the Spring months.
Will bloom a lengthy thin green stalk bloom with a star-shaped white flower.
Blooms a fairly large white bloom and middle center in the Fall and Summer months.
Expect yellow blooms on the very top of the cacti in the late Spring to Summer.
These are monocarpic, which means it will bloom once before it dies. The bloom is quick, aggressive and big. Goes out with bang.
Also monocarpic. They will bloom yellow, pink and white small flowers and then they will die off.
]]>
Indoors, you won't have to worry about the climate changes that Spring and Summer offer for example. The temperature will always be pretty consistent in your home. You will have to worry about bright shade and sunlight though.
Succulents thrive with limited water resources, such as dew and mist, which makes it tolerant to dehydration. There are many species and varieties of succulents that cover many plant families, and most people associate the succulent plants with the cactus or the family of the cactus.
Growing these plants at home can be a challenge if you don't know what you're doing. However, with these simple tips, you can help make your dreams a reality. Read on, and we'll walk you through our several key tips on plant care and you too can successfully grow succulents indoors.
Not all succulents are suitable for indoor environments. Selecting a plant that doesn't like the full sun, but that favors shade or dim light, will make a big difference in the success of your indoor succulents. Make sure you live in an area that can support your plants needs. By not being mindful of your climate, you can kill your succulents easily.
In general, bright colored succulents don't work well at home. They require some direct early morning sunlight and more light than is generally available indoors. Make sure you do your research before purchasing and selecting a plant that will be appropriate for your home environment.
This is an essential first step in learning how to care for a succulent.
These prefer indirect, filtered light and morning light. If you keep your succulent in the same place every day, it's likely that there is only one side that receives enough of this indirect light.
Rotating succulents allows them to get light on all sides. Not only does this keep them healthy, but it has an aesthetic advantage as well. Most succulents tend to bend towards the sun, so turning it will help it stay upright.
If you do catch your succulent leaning or stretching towards the sun, it may be a sign that you haven't placed them in the best spot in your home.
One of the most common questions new succulent owners have is what kind of soil to use. You need soil that drains fast.
Stores always place their succulents in basic potting soil that retain a lot of moisture. You will need to replicate this succulent environment once you take one home. Start by buying pots that have good drainage and ventilation, as these ensure your soil is drying as quickly as possible.
To further improve drainage and avoid pressure in pots, you can add pumice, cactus, or African violet soil. Always moisten your mix before use to make sure it moistens evenly.
When you do water your succulents, soak the soil until the water runs out of the drainage holes in your pot. You shouldn't use a spray bottle to water your succulent, as misting can cause succulents to turn brittle.
You want to see the top level of soil become moist when watering. Once it does, you can stop adding water.
In most cases, the internal plants gradually absorb the dust on their surface. While this may sound harmless at first, it can actually be quite terrible for a succulent.
This accumulated dust can actually hinder or impede their growth.
For this reason, you need to keep your succulents as clean as can be. It's always recommended to clean the plant with a damp cloth gently. You can even use a soft paintbrush to clean hard-to-reach spots on your plant.
Not only does this help keep your succulents happy and healthy, but it improves the overall appearance of your home.
A common mistake that many people make with succulents is overwatering. The amount of water you use for your plants is not important as long as it drains out. The frequency of watering your plants is important though. Never water the plant again until the soil is bone dry.
If the potting soil remains constantly wet every day, the plant will turn yellow and black, and then die from root rot. Overwatering can actually drown a succulent. The last thing you want to do after purchasing a succulent is to accidentally kill it!
Pests should not be a problem in indoor succulents, but sometimes you may have to deal with mistakes.
Bugs and pests are, for example, attracted to succulents grown in very wet soil and that doesn't contain adequate drainage. If your succulent does get infected with any sort of pest, take quick action.
To get rid of eggs and larvae, spray the soil with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol. Also, move infected plants away from the other succulent and sprinkle them with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol.
Glass containers are generally not a long-term solution in the succulent business.
Why? Most glass cases don't have a good way to drain water. Consumers buy them because they like to see what's going on 'below the surface,' but it's not good for the long term health of the succulent. With no way for water to drain, a succulent can quickly become over moisturized.
The other drawback of glass containers is the lack of ventilation. The succulent needs a good flow of air to maintain healthy roots and, therefore healthy leaves and stems. Glass does not provide this.
If you're looking to provide a proper home for your new succulents, a glass container is about the worst place you could house them.
There's nothing that a little green in your home can't do to liven up your mood. Many are attracted to succulents as an indoor plant option because of their variety and interesting nature.
Succulent maintenance can be tricky, but with the above tips, you should be well on your way to a thriving succulent garden in your home.
Need additional help with your indoor plants? Check out our how-to guides for more.
]]>Succulent Plugs are a great value. You get 105 assorted succulents during what I would say is their awkward adolescent phase. :)
They often have young established roots and are sized somewhere between a succulent cutting and 2 inch plant.
The will vary in height and growth pattern, and there is about 25 varieties offered in each plug pack.
To ensure the best experience of ordering succulent plugs online, we recommend following these tips:
Before you place any order, always check your weather. If temperatures are below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, we recommend adding a Heat Pack to your order.
The heat pack will ensure your succulent plugs are warm and safe through the shipping process.
If you don’t add a heat pack and the weather is freezing, your plugs will arrive black and mushy. And honestly, who has time for that! :)
Make sure to be home the day they your plugs arrive.
The plugs can handle the their time in a box no problem, but will love The Right Soil, air, and indirect light as soon as possible.
Inspect the succulent plugs immediately, and let the seller know of any issues or concerns.
Images and a brief description of your concerns immediately will help the seller resolve any issues with your order.
Reputable sellers will replace any plants that are sick or dead on arrival if you contact them within 24 hours of delivery.
Great! Plant the plugs in soil, and start them out with indirect light for about a week or two.
Slowly and gradually give them early morning sunlight until their roots become established.
Do not give it a drink of water for about a week.
The moisture in the soil should provide enough water for the plugs while they adjust to their new environment.
Treat these like cuttings. Lay them on top of fresh moist soil in indirect light and neglect them.
Once you see more defined roots, follow the directions above for Plugs with established roots.
Following these helpful tips will make ordering and caring for your succulent plugs easy peasy. :)
]]>Like most plants, succulents will not grow at the same rate year-round. Most go through a dormant phase and an active phase.
For some succulents the dormant period (when they grow less) will occur during winter time, while others enter dormancy in the summer.
Succulents dormancy is triggered by a few things in their natural habitat. A decrease in sunlight and temperature are a couple of things that succulents take notice of.
They realize it is not going to get the elements they needs to actively grow, and decide to run on "energy-efficient" mode.
When a succulent goes dormant, it requires little water and no fertilizer. It will still need sunlight to keep it's compact shape, and a fast draining soil to stay dry.
There are a couple of variables to consider with succulents and their dormancy periods - Indoors and Outdoors - which are explained here:
Succulents are very opportunistic plants, and when the conditions are right for them they will continue to grow.
If your succulents are indoors and you provide everything they need to thrive (light, a container with a drainage hole, fast draining soil, water, and temperatures between 40 and 85 degrees F) you will usually not notice their dormancy period.
They are triggered into dormancy by these factors, so if you eliminate those triggers the plant never goes dormant.
Echeveria, Euphorbia, and Agave will usually all go dormant during the winter months.
You will notice a slow down in growth.
These do not have to be fertilized, and watering should be every 2 weeks or when the soil is bone dry.
Reviving a dormant succulent is easier to do indoors because you can control the environment they are in.
By giving your dormant plant indirect light, a thorough watering and boost of fertilizer, this should trigger the plant to start new growth.
One important factor to consider with a succulents dormancy period is the climate you provide for them outdoors.
An Echeveria in San Diego, CA is going to require a whole different type of succulent care than the same Echeveria growing in Vermont over the winter.
Hardy sedums and Sempervivums will tolerate cold temperatures. They may look unsightly at times, but come spring they will bounce back with lush blooms. These will not need to be watered during freezing temperatures.
Echeveria, Crassula, and Kalanchoe are soft succulents, and will need to be brought indoors over the winter to avoid frost and freezing temperatures.
With plenty of sunshine in the spring and summer months these will actively grow.
During peak temperatures, these succulent will slow growth a little bit.
These succulents are winter dormant and will stop actively growing in the cooler months.
When some succulents go dormant they look like they are completely dead.
They scale back on all their foliage and die out. But that doesn't necessarily mean they are dead.
The best thing to do is check the roots of where your plants were in the garden or potted arrangement.
If you notice the roots are rotted out or completely shriveled up and dried out - the plant died. The rot will almost smell like a sewer - I know... GROSS. :)
But if you notice the roots are healthy - the plant is just hibernating and will bounce back more lush than ever when it's time.
]]>A major rainstorm is definitely a time to worry about your succulent’s health.
Hopefully by now, you have learned the importance of having a fast draining soil, and you did your research on succulents that can handle the outdoor climate you are exposing them to.
If you have these two important factors taken care, then congrats! You are already winning.
So let’s get to the tips on what to do after it rains on your succulent garden:
Depending on the size of your collection, these 5 steps may seem like a daunting task, but your succulents will thank you for it. Happy Planting!
]]>Buying succulents online is common these day. You get a better selection of plants than you would a local garden store, prices are typically the same, and they are shipped straight to your home. With Winter coming, and holidays right around the corner, we have a few tips for successfully ordering succulents online. Whether you are buying succulents for yourself or sending them as a gift this Winter, we want your online experience to be a positive one.
Adding a heat pack to your online succulent order is vital to the health of succulents. If in doubt, just do it. Most reputable online succulent sellers offer a 72-96 hour heat pack that are activated right before they are shipped out.
Succulents prefer warm / hot conditions and the heat pack provides those ideal conditions.
If you do not order the heat pack you run the risk of frozen, back mushy box of succulents. It's not a good look. :)
It only costs around $4. Do it!
Succulent orders by mail are usually delivered within 2-4 days of shipping. This works perfectly with the heat packs and ensures the quality and safe arrival of your succulents.
Shipping a succulent order Thursday - Sunday via ground is not a great idea. There are too many Murphy’s Law situations that come into play and are not attractive to a succulent seller.
If you need your order to ship on Thursday because you need them Friday, be prepared to pay significantly more for expedited / air shipping.
We ship ground unless otherwise specified to do so. Shipping ground is the most cost-effective method to ship succulents. In case you do not know what shipping ground is, it is shipping via semi-truck. These are uninsulated trailers bumping and traveling through all parts of the US and the varying climates.
Just because it is beautiful weather where you are, does not mean the weather along the transit route will be.
]]>
WINTER IS COMING... to affect your succulents.
Are you and your plants ready for it and the things to come?
House Stark's motto from Game of Thrones was one of warning and preparedness of things to come... except they're worried about the return of White Walkers and the Long Winter, and you succulent owners are worried about frost, dormancy and warmth.
You can expect colors to change, and hardy and soft succulents to respond differently to the cold winter.
One of my favorite things about succulents is the intense color change that comes with cold climate.
Cold weather can have an effect on the foliage of some succulents. It can "stress" a green succulent into vibrant pink succulent - like the Kalanchoe Aurora Borealis you see here.
It's important to note that "cold stress" for soft succulents is weather between 40-55 degrees F. A Southern Califronia winter is significantly mild compared to other regions of the country.
In Southern California nurseries, I have seen a dramatic shift in sections of nursery tables turn pink and purple over the winter.
Once the weather starts to warm up again, the plant colors will revert back to either green or muted versions of pink and purple.
You need to understand the difference to keep them alive once winter rolls around.
Hardy succulents can tolerate frost, freezing temperatures, below freezing temperatures, and are the ideal plant to have outdoors at all times. They actually grow and thrive better outdoors than indoors.
These are great plants for people looking if you want a ground cover that will survive year-round.
Soft succulents are fair weather plants that prefer 40 - 85 degree climates. They enjoy being outdoors when the range is between these temperatures.
Once it starts to dip below 40 degrees, it is time to bring these soft succulents indoors to avoid freezing the plants to death.
Once inside they will want temperatures to stay within their comfort zone, and sunlight as well.
I know, soft succulents are such DIVAS!
Beyond just hardy and soft succulents, you should expect certain species to respond differently to cold winters. Let's get into it:
Hardy sedum will be able to tolerate freezing and below freezing temperatures.
They will vary from no significant change, to partial or total loss of leaves in the winter.
Some sedums may slightly change color. It may change from a lush green or colorful sedum to a dull color during its dormant cycle.
Other sedum will be a bit more dramatic, and the changes you see may get you worried.
One day, you'll notice they're losing all its leaves - leaving only the stems and honestly... you will think they are dying.
But FEAR NOT - They are going dormant to do what it takes to survive winter.
If you dig through the dead foliage to the base of the soil you usually will find new growth.
The new growth is protecting itself during the winter.
When spring season rolls around, they will be lush and colorful once again.
These frost hardy hens and chicks will respond to the cold by changing color and closing up the rosettes.
The change in color will usually go from green to a reddish or purple color. This occurs because the pigment actually helps protect the sempervivum from the cold.
It will also ball up the rosette into what looks like a tight little rock for additional protection.
Once spring season rolls around they will lose its color and blossom beautiful sprawling rosettes around the mother plant.
Soft succulents encompass many species of succulents that react the same way to cold winters.
How do they react, you ask??? Poorly. Soft succulents LOATHE cold winters.
This will include: Echeveria, Crassula, Kalanchoe, Haworthia, Sedum (soft varieties), Graptopetalum, and a variety of cross breeds between these.
Light purple and light pink plants in the spring and summer will turn vibrant purple and pink colors.
If you keep them outdoors in freezing temperature, they will respond by freezing, rotting, and dying. Super tragic stuff. :(
Bringing them indoors takes a bit of planning on your end. Because these are fair weather succulents, they will need access to sunlight or grow lights to ensure they do not stretch, and warmth.
]]>
Winter is coming for your succulents. Most of the succulents we carry do not enjoy the frosty cold. They want to be inside near a cozy fireplace watching reruns of Rick and Morty, just like you.
If you have to bring your succulents indoors over the winter, here are four tips that will ensure the life probability of your succulent over the winter…
This is the most important tip!
Succulents require less water indoors because there is less light.
A good tip to avoid overwatering: Tip the plant upside down. Locate the drain hole, take a toothpick and stick it all the way up the soil. If the toothpick has any sign of soil on it, the soil still has moisture and should not be watered. If the toothpick comes back clean, the soil is dry and thirsty for water.
Not using a pot with a drainage hole is like playing with fire. Why even deal with such an easily avoidable mistake? Still determined to use a pot without a drainage hole? Go for it! Bold move buddy.
Keep succulents away from open windows on windy days. Also, keep succulents away from heat registers.
Drafts cause the foliage to turn yellow and brown. This will not kill the plant immediately, but your lovely succulent will lose its color and become unsightly, and you will want to hide it from everyone.
Most succulents come from regions where the temperature never falls below 45-50 degrees. So keep the house above those temperatures, and you will have happy, healthy succulents through winter.
We happen to carry a variety of succulents that do great indoors.
]]>You're here because you are looking for some fuss-free propagation tips.
I am gonna guess you:
Propagation is the answer to all of these.
Learn how it's done in 5 easy steps.
If you already have a rosette head or want to focus on propagating from leaves, move on to step two.
However, if you have a healthy and strong-stemmed succulent, begin by taking off the head to create a rosette succulent cutting.
Beheading may seem a bit dramatic, but it is the easiest way to propagate a strong and fleshy succulent.
To take the cutting, use a sharp set of scissors to cut off (ideally) a 2 - 3 inch section.
It will also be fine if you can't get much of the stem.
Voila … this is your cutting!
It is quite easy to propagate from individual leaves.
This can be done with any part of the succulent or from the rosette head itself.
All you have to do is hold the leaf close to the stem, gently twist and pull, and you have a new cutting!
The main goal here is a clean break: taking the entirety of the leaf and leaving nothing behind on the stem.
This will provide the best opportunity for future success and growth.
It is absolutely necessary that the cutting (taken from either method) has time to dry out.
Lay the various cuttings in a shallow dish and place in shady place with no direct sunlight.
Pretend like they don’t exist for 4 - 7 days - No watering, no soil, just plain old neglect.
Once your cuttings look dry and calloused they are ready to move to soil.
Letting them appear to scab over is a crucial step, as it will prevent over-watering in the coming weeks.
Note that rosette cuttings will require a longer period of time to dry out in comparison to the leaf cuttings.
The process for a rosette cutting and a leaf cutting slightly differ.
A rosette head should be planted with the cut stem planted in the soil.
Leaf cuttings should be placed in a shallow dish on top of fast-draining cacti/succulent soil.
Use only fresh and moist soil.
Do not water them or soak them!
Place them in a shady spot with no direct sunlight.
Neglect for a 2-5 weeks or until you notice roots.
Within this phase, little pink roots will begin sprouting from your cutting.
Yay! Visible progress at last.
After seven weeks or so, (we know it’s long – but we promise it’s worth it) adorable little succulent pups will grow.
The original cutting, or parent leaf, will begin to look shriveled and sad.
Don’t be alarmed. They are simply providing their nutrients to the new growth and should be removed once they die on their own.
Final side-note! Don’t toss the stem!
If you’ve taken all cuttings and growth off of a succulent, leaving only the stem remaining, don’t toss it because new babies can grow from it once again.
Simply cut the stem until it is an inch above the soil, follow regular watering rules, and it should begin again!
]]>Succulents, often known for their love of little water and sun, can sunburn just like humans. A suntan takes time, with our skin’s natural defenses kicking in to protect itself from the damaging UV sun rays.
When our skin gets overwhelmed it reacts, causing your skin to turn red. It’s pretty much the same thing with succulents. You’ll know your succulents have been sunburnt when they have whitish or brown discoloration.
White marks means it has a light sunburn; brown means the sunburn is severe.
If you get to your succulent during the whitish stage of the burn, there is still time to undo the damage. Get it to a shady spot for a 3-7 days, and moisten the soil immediately if it’s dry. The white marks should be less visible or gone completely before putting them out in direct sun.
If the succulent has brown marks, the damage is severe. Don’t throw the plant away! The damage will have to be grown out.
When you receive a new succulent, it is important to first gently acclimate your succulent to the sun. Baby step your succulent into its new life with sun.
It’s important to remember that some succulents don’t like being in full sun all the time.
Most succulents enjoy direct early morning sun, and then shady indirect sunlight for the rest of the day.
Where you decide to place succulents in your home or garden is important for this reason.
Keep these tips in mind and you’ll have happy, healthy succulents all summer!
We also have a great article that covers watering your succulents in the hot months of Spring and Summer. To learn how and when to water succulents click HERE.
]]>Keep Soil Dry, Water Less
Soil plays an important role in the life cycle of your plant, so getting the mixture right is quite important. You can either buy cactus and succulent soil from the market, or make your own high perlite soil mix. It’s necessary that the soil has good drainage capacity. If you can, take the extra water collected in the dish or a non-draining container and toss it out shortly after watering.
Light Requirements
Lighting is one of the key factors in ensuring the health of your succulents. So if you are keeping them inside your house, then you should make sure that they are kept in places that receive an ample amount of direct or indirect sunlight. They love the early morning sun. Grow lights are fine too.
Replant Often and Propagate
Re-Plant succulents in pots without drainage hole might lead to presence of excess water, and root rot. So while repotting the plant if you think the roots have rotted, you can simply propagate the undamaged part of the rotting succulent. This is good news! One plant can become 5-10 new ones.
]]>Drainage
Your container needs to have a proper drainage hole. This is an absolute must for worry-free, consistent care. You can absolutely use pots without a drainage hole, but life for you and your succulent will be complicated. Succulents are plants that do not require much moisture content in the soil for their nutrition. Most succulent plants require a dry porous soil to grow properly, so if your container does not have a drainage hole, any amount water that you might add to the soil, will be retained by your pot, which in turn will make the soil soggy, and cause root rot.
Material
In the marketplace you might find containers made out of various materials, the most popular choices are ceramic, terra cotta, wood, plastic or cement. While almost anything with a good drainage system might work, some experts suggest that the best succulent pots are terra cotta and ceramic pots are much better choices, especially if you are growing your plant indoors.
Size of the Container
The size of your succulent container is important. Some succulent plants require more room than the others to grow properly and some grow well enough in shallow containers. So depending on the plant you have chosen, you should have a know-how of what size containers might be best for your plant. Add an inch or two to the size of the succulent you purchase and get a pot that size for it.
]]>If any part of your succulents turn yellow or transparent, you are overwatering it.
How this happens can vary, and are based on a number of factors.
But before we dive into that, it is important to understand how succulents operate.
Succulents are not used to having access to lots of water, so their shallow roots suck up water and store it in their leaves or stem in preparation for dry periods.
Succulents literally just do not know when enough is enough and will drink themselves to death.
And when they drink too much, they turn yellow or transparent, soften up and turn to mush.
You need some helpful tips to prevent this? Perfect, we have 4 easy things you can do to avoid yellow, overwatered succulents.
A porous soil is key to keeping your succulents healthy.
The more porous, the better and faster the soil will drain. A succulent and cacti soil mixed with pumice or perlite is the perfect mix to ensure epic drainage.
We advise you let soil completely dry out between the watering sessions.
A lack of airflow is another important and often overlooked factor to succulents turning yellow.
The more airflow available to the succulent and its soil, the faster it will dry out.
A couple of factors play into creating an environment that allows ample airflow:
Airflow is naturally better outdoors. Elements like wind and sun keep the soil drier than indoors.
Indoors you lose those elements and make your succulents more susceptible to wet soil for longer periods of time.
The margin for error increases indoors simply due to lack of airflow.
The container you choose can have quite an impact aeration.
Not every container you use has a drainage hole. It is very important, but not completely necessary if you are very careful with watering.
If you have a drill, you can buy drill bits at your local home and garden store that would enable you to create drainage holes.
Ideally, you have a drainage hole, the right succulent soil, excellent aeration, and a proper succulent container.
If you have all this, water the soil evenly and thoroughly.
If you don’t have all the ideal elements, it’s fine.
As long as you err on the side of less watering, the succulents should be fine.
Only water the soil when it is bone dry.
Outdoor succulents will need to be watered more often than indoor ones.
Follow these tips and you will never have succulents turn yellow again.
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