Succulents are easy plants to care for and make a great addition to any office space, kitchen, bookshelf or windowsill. These plants are native to areas prone to drought and as a result, they store water to last them through long periods with little to no water. This feature makes them easy to maintain and ideal for inside and outside your home. Here are some simple tips on how to best take care of your succulent plants.
Choose the right succulent for your living conditions: Most succulents like direct sunlight but if all you have is a shady corner in your house, pick low light-tolerant plants. If you plan to grow your succulent in a hanging planter, a trailing type like string of bananas is a great choice. Always read the plant labels to determine the sunlight needs, size, and spread of your succulents before deciding where to place them.
Use a well-draining pot: Nurseries usually plant their succulents in soil that’s too rich and retains too much moisture, so you will want to repot your succulent after bringing it home. Use a coarse potting mix with good drainage and aeration. Additionally, you can improve drainage and prevent compaction by adding perlite or pumice to the mix.
Choose the right container: When repotting, use a container that has a drainage hole and is at least 1 to 2 inches larger than the nursery container they came in. Avoid glass containers such as mason jars or terrariums since they don’t allow roots to breathe and can cause root rot over time. Fill the bottom one-third of the container with pre-moistened potting mix, then position your plant inside.
Don’t overwater: A common mistake many people make with succulents is overwatering them. It’s best to water more, but less frequently. Saturate the potting mix thoroughly and make sure water flows out of the drainage hole properly; but allow the mix to mostly dry out before the next watering. If the potting mix stays continuously wet, the plant could eventually die.
Remember to fertilize: These plants benefit most from fertilizer in the spring and late summer. Use a balanced, all-purpose, water-soluble fertilizer and follow the recommended package instructions. There is no need to fertilize succulents in winter when they’re semi-dormant. They won’t need the nutrient boost because they are not actively growing.
Whether you’re a gardening rookie or you’re well-known amongst your friends and neighbors for your green thumb, you can rely on succulents to be a versatile, low-maintenance plant. Green up your home with these cute and easy to care for plants that are great in every season!