Succulents are known for their thick, fleshy stems and leaves which are capable of storing water. This adaptation allows them to survive long periods of drought with minimal watering. Succulents come in a vide range of plant species from different habitats, including cacti.
Succulents are typically low maintenance and many gardeners loves them for that. They generally require infrequent watering. Majority of these plants thrive in bright indirect light and this makes them suitable for indoor conditions. However, few species prefer direct sunlight.
All succulents are susceptible to root rot when overwatered. Thy require well-draining soil to thrive. A mix of potting soil and coarse sand or perlite is often recommended. It’s also crucial to choose pots with drainage holes when potting or repotting to allow excess water to escape.
While succulents are know to be hardy plants, they are still prone to insect pests such as mealybugs, scale, aphids, fungus gnats and spider mites. It’s important to inspect your plants regularly and treat for these pests as needed.
Most succulents are propagated through leaf cuttings, stem cuttings or by offsets. It is a relatively easy process to add more plants to your collection or to gift friends and family with. With good care, succulents should live for many years as they reward with their beauty.
Jade plants (Crassula ovata) are easy to grow and maintain. Their growth rate is pretty slow but they have a long lifespan of up to 60 years in the right growth conditions. Their fleshy oval-shaped leaves are attractive to look at but not when the plant is leggy. The jade plant needs at least 6…
The string of pearls is my all-time favorite succulent. I love how their bead-like leaves accentuate the trailing stems. Shriveling is one of the common problems I noticed with these plants. In this article, I have explained why this happens and what you can do to save the plant. As with many succulents, the string…
Burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum), also known as the donkey’s tail, is a unique plant with trailing pendulous stems that are covered in fleshy cylindrical blue-green leaves. This succulent is native to Honduras and eastern Mexico but it’s widely spread and grown as an ornamental plant in hanging baskets. The donkey’s tail plant is easy to…
Powdery mildew is a common fungal infection on succulents. It often appear as gay or white powdery spots on leaves, stems, and flowers. Although rarely fatal, this disease can cause serious harm to your plants. Sometimes the affected plants can become stunted or completely distorted. Without intervention, powdery mildew can cover the whole plant, resulting…
Succulents are low-maintenance plants and they can thrive in tough conditions including hot temperatures and drought. These plants don’t need to be watered often and this makes them a great choice if you don’t have a lot of time to attend to your plants. Drainage is an important factor when planting or repotting a succulent….
Succulents are visually striking and low-maintenance plants. If you are a pet owner, it’s important to know that not all succulent species are safe to keep around dogs or cats. In this article, I’ll explain which succulents are poisonous to dogs and what to do if your pet ingests them. Some of the poisonous succulents…
Houseleeks or hens and chicks are known for their low-growth rosette profile. Mature plants can just reach a height of 6 – 12 inches. It’s uncommon for hens and chicks to grow tall. If this is happening to your plant, don’t panic, I’ll explain why this might happen and how to fix the problem. Hens…
The hen and chick plant (Sempervivum tectorum) also known as common houseleek is a popular succulent with fleshy leaves arranged in a beautiful rosette pattern. This plant is adapted to hot dry conditions and this makes it easy to maintain both indoors and outdoors. The leaves of the hen and chicken plant are edible and…
Aloe vera plants are native to arid regions and they have adapted to thrive in dry and hot climates. Their succulent leaves can store water enabling the plant to survive long periods of drought. These plants prefer full sun but too much direct sunlight can scorch their leaves and cause sunburn. A sunburnt aloe plant…
Succulents are hardy plants that can survive drought conditions with minimal watering. Over time, succulents may shed older leaves as part of their growth process. However, it should be concerning when your succulent loses young vibrant leaves that need to be growing. There are a number of reasons succulent leaves may drop leaves prematurely. They…