Looking for an easy houseplant to add to your collection, or to begin your collection? Succulents have been trendy and have been gaining popularity for years, and for good reason. They are a unique assortment of fleshy, fantastically colored foliage that adds style to your home in all the seasons!
Succulents are distinguished by their thick, fleshy stalks and leaves that store moisture. This allows them to stay healthy and happy without very little water- thus making it easier on you to care for them. In general, they are slow growers that thrive with neglect. This means they are the best choice for someone getting started with gardening, a busy person constantly on the go, a student, and/or anyone who enjoys fresh plants that don’t make a fuss!
How do you select the ideal succulent?
There are many captivating succulents here in our greenhouse in a wide range of shapes, textures, sizes and even colors. If you’re wanting to choose a group to plant together in a container, select various ones that appeal to you. When planted in mass, having succulents looking different from each other catches the eye’s attention! Most succulents have similar growing requirements, so they “get along” as container mates. When you’re ready to design your succulent garden, the same general rules apply as with any container garden. You’ll need a “Thriller,” which is an upright plant, some “Fillers,” which are plants that fill the gaps in your container, and a “Spiller,” which spills over the side(s) of your container.
Another option for a succulent garden used as a tabletop centerpiece is to plant similar specimens (yet different in color and texture) in a shallow bowl-like container to make an even, yet showy, appearance.
Large succulents and those with rubber foliage textures, like the ZZ plant, Snake Plant, Agave and Aloe Vera, are ideal for growing as a single potted plant that stands alone.
Caring for succulents, like stated above, is easy. However, they do have specific needs to ensure top notch health.
The container they are planted in must have excellent drainage. This means the container must have at least one hole at the bottom for excess water to drain. Succulents do not like “wet feet.” Another consideration for the container is that it is acceptable for succulents to be planted in a small and/or shallow pot because they generally don’t mind being cramped.
The soil selection should be a fast-draining option. We recommend using Ocean Forest or our specifically designed succulent soil located in the Plant Health Care room. These products have the addition of coarse sand/perlite to ensure soil drainage of excess water. This allows the soil they are planted in to dry out more quickly, and suitable for succulent growing success.
It’s true that succulents thrive in arid climates, like deserts, but they need proper watering to stay plump and fresh. Think of their natural environmental conditions. In a desert, it’s dry for an ongoing period of time. Then, it rains long and steady. After a good soak, conditions dry out extensively before the repeat.
This means succulents like to dry out completely between waterings. Then, when you do water, make it a thorough soaking. Avoid pouring the water directly on their fleshy leaves. Instead water the soil directly. Remember from above that they don’t like their “feet wet,” so never let them stand in water. Empty saucers immediately and make sure their drainage is adequate.
In order for succulents to show off their best self, they need to receive at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Placing them next to a window, especially one that faces the west or south sun, are the best options if it works with your décor space. Another good idea is to rotate the container they are planted in once a week to help with even, straight growth on all sides. For the larger containers, you can use a wheeled caddy to rotate easily.
Succulents enjoy only a mild fertilizing once a year as their growth resumes in the springtime. As the days get longer once again, the increased amount of sunlight will stimulate new growth! Check out our Plant Health Care room to select a specific fertilizer for succulents and cacti, since their needs are different from petunias or blueberries.
Succulents staying indoors do well in a typical indoor temperature. However, in the winter months when their growth is dormant, they like to stay cooler so consider moving them to a room that doesn’t stay over heated with a fireplace or under a heat vent.
Enjoy selecting your plants and following these guides will give you succulent “succ”sess!
Browse Our Website
Our Services
Phone: (337) 264-1418
Email: info@buyallseasons.com
Location: 2974 Johnston St Lafayette, LA 70503
Business Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 9AM - 6PM • Sunday: 10AM - 5PM