These plants are not as low effort as you think. Discover must have tips to keep these versatile plants happily hydrated indoors, outdoors, and in containers.
Succulents can survive long stints without water because of their impressive ability to store it in their leaves, stems or roots. Sometimes they can go for a month or longer. Lots of people know of their reputation for easy care but forget that even drought-tolerant plants need some water when brought in the garden or home. The more you care for your plants they better they're going to look. Yes, they are troopers but don't you owe your little friends a good life?
It is a bad idea to force succulents to go without water for weeks and months at a time whether they're indoors or outside. For your plants to thrive there are a few important must have tips to keep on hand to keep them watered correctly without overwatering or drying out too much.
Plants start actively growing in the early spring so they need more water at this time thank in the low light winter months when the succulents are dormant.
How to Water Outdoor Container Succulents
Despite being the most laid-back boy in the crowd, there is one sure way to kill them: too much aqua. Generally speaking outdoor plants generally need more water than indoor plants. Conditions decipher how much waters they'll need but you can begin by checking weekly to determine if it's dry or has moisture. Summer is a good time to move potted succulents outside. And even though they're sunlovers they'll need to be acclimated or else they'll be sunburnt. You can put them in a shady spot before moving to full sun.
I recommend avoiding intense sunlight from late morning to midafternoon if you can because if they get too much light they can go dormant.
"I encourage people to think about their relationship with their plants," says Summer Rayne Oakes, founder of Homestead Brooklyn and author of the book How to Make a Plant Love You. "It's like dating—you can't just take them home because they're cute, then forget about them."
How to Water In Ground Succulents
Succulents do okay in the ground in sandier and more arid areas. In fact, my grandmother had one she claims grew for 30 years under the balcony of her south Georgia house. I haven't had much luck with that since I moved to North Atlanta, which is more mountain-ish to me. We get more rain, snow and cool damp air. Sedum is one plant that thrives in the ground in either area for me. Sedum comes back every year for me, too.
In ground plants may need to be watered weekly. While new plants need more attention, established ones have stronger roots that can tolerate dryer conditions. All in-ground succulents need well drained soil. If your soil is too moist a raised bed will work. You can pick up a bag of succulent soil at our shop or any garden center. Make sure it says succulent because the blend is lightweight enough to promote drainage for delicate succulent roots.
How to Water House Succulents
There are lots of succulents that are popular indoor plants. Some of my favorites are hens and chicks (shown above), jade, kalanchoe, sedum, aloe vera, mother-in-law's tongue aka a snake plant and zz plants. At Colonial House of Flowers we care for our indoor succulent babies an eence different. Rather than giving them splashes of water, we give them a bath. Give them a good soak until water runs out of the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot. Too much water will cause root rot so if you are using a plate under the planter make sure it is dry. Let the soil dry out real good and then soak again.
About drainage holes, you don't have to have them if you use drainage supplies like rocks or sand or styrofoam peanuts. The key is always to keep things dry. For beginners I recommend drainage holes because they're easy. Oh, and another tip we learned in the shop: terra cotta also promotes an arid environment. If you want to plant your succulents in something fun. Go ahead and add some whimsy with a clear vase or tea pot. The more happy you are with your plant friends the more you'll think about the little fellas.
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Visit Colonial House of Flowers for terrarium supplies like moss and succulents.
If You Like The Images:
The talented Colonial House of Flowers team alongside and Pottery Barn University Towne Center joined forces with us in creating a classic workshop, brimming with whimsical green plants. All the pretty details, including Certified American Grown Flowers succulents from California based farm Mellano & Company, Mayesh LAX flowers, Kate Spade NY clothing, Chloe shoes - is all captured by perfection in La Jolla, California by Savan Photography!