How to Grow Succulents

Succulents, cousins to the cactus family, are easy to grow. They require sunlight, air and very little water. They prefer sandy soil and can be potted or planted in-ground. You can grow them in rock gardens, as landscape elements or indoors as houseplants.

Things You'll Need

• Succulent plants
• Clay pots for potted plants
• Porous, sandy soil
• Water

Instructions

How to Grow Succulents

1. For landscaping or rock gardens, choose an area that provides a minimum of direct sunlight. Succulents in the wild often grow beneath trees or nestled in rocks. Too much direct midday sun will harm them. If growing your succulents indoors, choose a window that provides partial sunlight; avoid putting the plant where harsh midday light heats up the window.

2. Succulents need air, but more specifically, they need ventilation. Putting succulents in the bathroom where there is high humidity and little cross-breeze is a bad idea. Putting your succulent in a room in which windows are frequently left open is a good idea. If planting outdoors, ventilation isn’t much of a problem. Just be sure your succulents have room to grow; don’t plant them too close together or too near the sides of the house.

3. Succulents enjoy sandy, porous soil. Regular potting soil is generally too rich in organic material for succulents and cacti. While it may seem strange that a rich, loamy soil is undesirable, keep in mind their native soil is desert sand. They thrive in a well-drained, quick drying growing medium. Succulents need soil that will dry out within a couple of days or so. These types of plants store a good deal of water in their systems. This is what enables them to grow in arid climates. Packaged cactus soil for potted cacti and succulents is available at garden centers.but it is possible to make your own. The basic ingredients are peat moss or compost, sand, perlite, lime and gypsum. However, the exact makeup will depend on the type of succulent and growing conditions. To find the one that works for you requires research and trial and error.

4. If planting in pots, using a specific potting soil, you should use clay pots. Clay pots are more porous, allowing the soil to dry out. If planting directly into the ground, be sure the soil will not remain damp. Though succulents are adaptable, their roots won’t tolerate damp, rich soil. You needn’t water succulents often, but do water them. The trick is to let the soil dry out completely, and remain dry for a brief period before watering again. This can mean two to three weeks between watering for potted plants, longer for in-ground succulents.

5. Succulents are slow growing plants and, if planted in well-draining soil and not over-watered, will continue to grow for many years. You may need to replant them in a larger pot. When replanting, be sure to wear clean gloves. Fill the new pot about one-third to one-half full of your soil of choice. Slide and lift the succulent from its existing pot, keeping as much soil and root together as possible. This reduces trauma. Place the plant in the new pot and fill in around it with soil. Gently water around the plant, being careful not to moisten the leaves. Water just enough to dampen the soil.

6. Succulents require little care, but you should be certain they continue to thrive by monitoring them. If the leaves become pale or curled along the edge, water them a little more frequently. If they look as if they’re shriveling, try changing their soil to allow for better drainage. Otherwise, succulents will pretty much take care of themselves.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use clay pots or pots of a porous material.

• When planting in-ground, don’t plant them with plants that need frequent watering.

• Succulents prefer arid climates with low humidity. They may not do well outdoors in wet, cold climates.

• Don’t over-water. It’s the one thing sure to kill a succulent.