Succulents are like the camels of the plant world—tough, low-maintenance, and surprisingly charming. Here’s how to keep yours thriving:
Succulents do best outdoors but will be happy indoors in the right environment.
Inside - Let there be light: Succulents love bright, indirect sunlight. A sunny windowsill is perfect. If they start stretching or fading in color, they’re craving more light.
Outdoor - Partial sun and shade: Succulents can tolerate both direct sunlight and shade. When you first receive your succulent be mindful of how much sun exposure it receives in the beginning. Allow the succulent to adjust to your climate, sunny spot, or sunny window. Colors become more intense in direct sunlight and less intense in shade.
Water sparingly: Only water when the soil is bone dry. That might mean once every 1–2 weeks in summer and even less in winter. Overwatering is the fast track to root rot. If the pot is mini or small, water 1 time per week. Plants, succulents, and soil will tell you when water is needed.
Drainage is key: If the pot does not have drainage holes, keep an eye on watering.
Repotting: Use well-draining soil - ideally a succulent and cactus mix. You can also mix regular potting soil with sand or perlite and amendments to make your own mix.
Watch the humidity: Succulents prefer dry air. If you live in a humid area, make sure there’s good airflow around the plant.
Clean occasionally: Remove dry and dead leaves immediately. If the succulent has a natural farina coating, do not touch. The natural coating on succulent leaves, often appearing as a white, powdery or silvery film, is called farina or epicuticular wax. It's the plant's natural protection, like SPF.
Rotate regularly: Give your plant a quarter turn every week or so to keep it growing evenly toward the light. If sunlight is low, the succulents will start to stretch.
Propagate: Accidentally knock off a leaf? No worries. You can easily propagate the leaf into a new free plant. with a little luck, place your leaf in a small dish or on soil and leave it alone. In a few weeks, he will start to see roots in a tiny plant growing. If it doesn't work, no worries, there's a lot that's at play, such as weather, the health of the leaf, and if it was still viable. Try on the next one.
Repurpose: Each plant has its end of cycle. Some plants will live for years as while others may only be happy for a couple of years. Once the plant has gone to plant heaven, repurpose your pot in a fun creative way. Or replant with a new succulent. Pots are made from raw, untreated concrete or plaster so they make a great surface to paint.
Common pests on a succulent: Succulents might be hardy, but they’re not totally invincible —common pests like mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects can still cause trouble. These tiny invaders leave behind everything from small white spots to more serious damage that affects the plant’s structure. To keep your succulents pest-free, make it a habit to remove debris and give your plants a regular once-over for any signs of unwanted visitors. Natural pest control options work well too—think ladybugs patrolling your garden or a gentle spritz of neem oil to send pests packing.
If you’re applying any liquid treatment, be sure to do it in partial shade. Water droplets on the leaves can act like little magnifying glasses in the sun, leading to unsightly burn marks.
Site with helpful info: Want to know which succulent varieties are best for beginners or how to care or propagate them? These pages have tips for that. 🌵
✨ https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-care-for-succulents-8637103
✨ https://plantcareforbeginners.com/articles/how-to-care-for-succulent-indoors