Water regularly
Succulents might seem as if they don’t require water care but that is not true at all. Making a regular watering schedule will help plants thrive. As a basic rule, water your succulents when the top 1 inch of the soil gets dry. Be sure to water them properly until it flows out of the potholes otherwise the soil may remain dry at the bottom. Most of the succulents can be kept in direct sunlight after watering as they require adequate sunlight too.
Plants don’t require frequent watering during winter. If you live in a cold region, consider watering your plants once in a while because plants don’t transpire much water in cold temperatures. Similarly, if you live in an area that receives much rainfall, your succulents won’t need to water your succulents. However, plants require proper irrigation in the summer season.
Chose Succulent According To Your Garden
As a beginner, you would be worried about getting the right plant that can thrive in your home garden. There is nothing to be embarrassed about as this is a common concern of the newbies. Choosing the right succulent might seem challenging but our guide will enable you to decide which plant is best for you.
Low-maintenance succulents for beginners:
Indoor succulents
Indoor plants need bright sunlight, adequate water, and fresh air to keep them thriving. if you prefer succulents that can be grown indoors, here are a few varieties that are shade tolerant.
- Senecio string of pearls
- Haworthia (zebra plant)
- Crassula undulatifolia (Ripple Jade)
- Sedum burrito
- Ledebouria socialis (Silver Squill)
- Opuntia microdasys var. albospina ‘White Bunny Ears’
- Cactus
- Tigers jaws
- Haworthia
- Rhipsalis
- Mother-in-law’s tongue
- Kalanchoe
- string of buttons
Outdoor succulents:
As already discussed succulents love full sun and can be grown outdoors. However, be careful of scorching sunlight that may burn your precious little outdoor plants. If you want to buy a plant to grow outdoors then you have multiple options like
- Aeonium
- Dasylirion
- Aloe vera
- Sedum
- Dudleya sp.
- Graptopetalum
- Echeveria
- Euphorbia
- Kalanchoe
- Cactus
- Hen and chicks
- Agaves
- Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks)
Soil potting:
Choose the right soil and potting for your succulents with drainage holes in them. This will help remove excess water from the plant without damaging your precious succulents and save them from frost damage. Most succulents thrive in moderately moist soil.
As succulents have shallow root systems (not deep enough), you can easily plant them in shallow bowls. With the use of right pots, your plants will thrive to give you great green space.
Cleaning of succulents
Same to your home decorations, your succulents will catch dust on their surface which has to be cleaned regularly. Dust on the surface of the leaves is harmful for them and it may inhibit their growth process. Gently wipe the leaves of your succulent plants with a damp cloth.
Keep an eye on bugs:
You don’t need to worry about pet attacks on indoor plants. However, You might need to keep an eye open for bugs that are attracted to succulent plants. These bags may lay eggs on your succulents Waiting for them to hatch at the right time. Succulent owners have to deal with Gnats that are attracted to succulents growing in poorly irrigated damp soil. This problem arises when your soil potting does not have a proper drainage system. One solution to this bug is getting rid of the egg larvae before they hatch. You can do this by treating your succulent with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
Here are some of the most common bugs that love succulent plants. Be sure to watch out for them.
- Mealybugs
- Aphids
- Ants
- Spider mites
- Scales
- Slugs
- FliesSnails
Composite:
In good garden soil, you may not need additional fertilizers but if you still wish to add fertilizer then adding composite (decomposed manure/dung)is the traditional way to do it.
Pruning:
Just like any other plant, succulent also requires trimming, beheading, and pruning. Pruning will help the plant get rid of weak or damaged parts and make it thrive.
Repotting:
Transferring succulents to bigger plants as they overgrow, is also very essential. Give your plants proper space to grow their roots. For this either use bigger pots or transfer your plants into garden soil when you feel the need.
Final words:
Keep your pets away from valuable succulents as they don’t love being touched too often. There is nothing wrong with calling for help when you feel like it. You may feel like failing at taking care of your plants. but an expert will be more likely to know the answer to all your problems. Just give it a try without hesitation. You will surely rock at growing your favorite succulents at home.
