Succulents are an excellent addition to your indoor garden space as they are eye-catching, require the least of your attention, and have diverse varieties. But, it would be best to study their care tips depending on the type before buying.
As a succulent owner, you must keep the plant happy and beautiful throughout the year. Seeing them struggle for your mistake is heartbreaking. So, here are the top 5 basic care tips for growing succulents at home.
1. Let the Succulents Have Enough Sunlight
Succulents come in various colors. To see them at their best, expose them to sunlight for at least 6-8 hours in the morning. The best direction in your home would be south or west-facing windows, as these directions give the maximum sunlight.
At the same time, you must ensure they don’t get exposed to the harsh broiling sun. That will result in sunburn, further deteriorating the succulent’s health and color.
Some succulents like the String of Pearls grow well under filtered sunlight. So, first, understand your succulent’s light needs, then expose them to the right kind of light.
If you have windows that provide too much or too little light, grow some forgiving succulents like Aloe Vera or use artificial lights.
If you want to grow a beautiful string of pearls succulent at your home, read the How To Care For String Of Pearls? (Anywhere You Live) blog on simplifyplants.com.
2. Be Gentle With Watering
A common tip for all succulents is that they require less watering than other tropical plants. They can store water in their leaves and stems, which gets utilized when you don’t water them. Besides, they have different watering needs depending on the weather.
In summers, water the succulents thoroughly to keep them hydrated and cool and prevent sunburn. At the same time, you must let the soil get dry between each watering. The rule is to water deeply with perfect gapings.
Some succulents go dormant in summers. In such a situation, you need to go easy on watering.
Again in the winters, most succulents slow down their growth or become dormant. It is the time when overwatering occurs the most. Check the soil and make sure that it remains almost dry. Once the weather warms up, and the plant grows actively, increase the watering.
A common tip is always to provide water in the early morning so that the plant gets time to absorb the moisture before the heat hits the days. If the soil is not absorbing well because of stone or silt, break and till the soil surface to ease the absorption.
3. Keep the Succulents Warm in the Winter Season
Maximum succulents are tender and cannot tolerate cold or frosty weather. Most of them will receive cold damage if the temperature drops below 40°F. So, it is better not to let the room temperature drop below 50°F.
Since the succulents store water in their leaves and stems, excessively low temperatures can freeze this moisture and crack inside, thus damaging the tissues. That is why it is recommended to keep the succulents warm.
Ensure the plant receives adequate sunlight throughout the day and always maintain the room temperature above 50°F.
4. Prepare a Suitable Home for Your Succulents
Succulents love to live in well-drained soil. The perfect kind of soil mix is the commercial succulent or cactus potting mix. I also recommend 40% peat, 20% coir, 20% perlite, and 20% coarse sand if you make your mix.
You can also add some stones as a top dressing. It keeps the soil from getting blown and displaced, prevents evaporation, and improves the look.
After selecting the right soil, pot is the next important factor. Drainage holes are a must in the pots. Terracotta pots are a good choice as they are porous and aid drainage. Shallow clay or concrete pots with drainage holes will also work.
To give your plant a good home, repot your plant immediately with new soil and pot after bringing a new plant home. In the greenhouses, it stays in a standard plastic pot with a standard potting mix.
5. Go Easy on the Fertilizer
Most succulents thrive in poor soil and are not heavy feeders. So, go easy on fertilizing and don’t overfertilize, as that will spoil the plant’s health.
You can still feed your succulents in their growing months with a succulent fertilizer. It helps in boosting the plant’s growth. Some succulents like Haworthias go dormant in winter or summer, so avoid fertilizing them during dormancy. If you are thinking of growing the beautiful Haworthia in your home, check out 14 Care Tips For Haworthia by Richa on Nurserylady.
