Succulents are eye-catching plants that boast magnificent foliage. They store water in their thick, shapely leaves, making them drought-tolerant and relatively self-sufficient plantings.
One of the most appealing aspects of succulent plants, other than their easy maintenance, is that they can be found in a wide array of shapes, textures, colors, and heights. Check out our succulent care tips for successful growth now and in the years ahead.
Succulent Care: Indoor vs. Outdoor Growing
Succulents can be grown indoors as houseplants and planted outside in containers or the ground in garden beds and stone crevices. No matter where you choose to plant them, they are sure to draw attention. With the right planting considerations and care, they can almost take care of themselves.
Ideal Soil and pH for Succulents
Whether you are planting succulent plants indoors or outside, the plants’ health is determined by the soil that they are planted in. Choose a well-draining soil with larger particles so water can enter quickly and drain away from the roots without compacting the soil. Use a soil test kit and amend the soil to reach an optimal 6.0-6.5 on the pH scale before planting.
- Succulents have shallow root systems and prefer soil that well-draining.
- A loose, rocky soil that is nutrient-rich is optimal.
- If planting in containers, use a potting mix specifically formulated for succulents and cacti and plant in a pot with holes in the bottom for drainage.
- Alkaline soil has the potential to cause the demise of succulent plants.
Succulent Light and Temperature Requirements
Succulents grow well in full sun conditions. They will reward you with healthy, colorful foliage when given sufficient light. Too little sunlight will cause succulents to reach awkwardly for sunlight, resulting in leggy, blanched, and awkward plant growth.
When considering how to care for succulents, they are traditionally more cold-tolerant than you might think. They are native to desert climates where the temperature ranges significantly between the daytime and nighttime hours. If possible, succulents should be grown outdoors when daytime temperatures span between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit and overnight temperatures that hover around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Some succulent plant varieties are hardier than others. The most robust cultivars can be overwintered in their containers or in-ground as long as the soil is not wet. More tender varieties are not as hardy and cannot survive the harsh weather conditions in colder growing zones. It’s optimal to bring these indoors during the winter months. They can be placed in a sunny window on the south or east side of your home or placed under grow lights until the threat of frost passes.
How Often to Water Succulents
When people think of succulents, they think of their moisture-filled leaves and think they need plentiful amounts of water. The shallow root systems of succulents cannot handle super moist conditions. In fact, when we talk about how to care for succulents, one of the most monumental errors that people make is overwatering them. Drenching and constant root saturation cause root rot, which will cause the plant to die. Use these helpful tidbits to guide you on how to care for succulents when watering them.
- Succulents should be watered deeply, but not frequently.
- Water succulents once per week for indoor plants.
- If using a saucer underneath indoor plants, empty any water that has drained into it. This ensures that roots will not remain wet.
- Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
- For outdoor plants, test the soil with your fingers and only water if the soil is dry.
- Reduce watering during fall and winter months so that succulents can survive cold temperatures. Saturated soil makes succulents more vulnerable to frost damage during the winter months.
Fertilizing your Succulents
Get the most out of your succulent plants by fertilizing them twice a year. When planted in pots, they rely on their caregivers for everything they need to grow. Succulents can indeed benefit from a nutrient-rich feeding routine. Choose a fertilizer specifically formulated for succulents and cacti.
For optimal growth, apply the fertilizer in spring as new growth emerges and again in early fall. They do not need to be fertilized in the winter when most succulent plants are dormant.
Pests and Disease
As self-reliant as succulents are, they can be prone to some pests and diseases. Listed below are some of the problems that might afflict succulents and some organic remedies for warding them off when considering how to care for succulents. Remember that the best defense is a robust offense. This starts with having healthy soil and ideal planting conditions.
- Mealy Bugs– remove the plant from the pot and clean the pot and wipe down the plant. Replant the succulent in fresh soil.
- Rodents – set up rodent traps near succulent plants outside to keep them from nibbling on your succulent leaves.
- Red Spider Mites – Use a sharp spray of the hose to remove them from the foliage.
- Aphids– Use a quick spray of the hose to remove them from the foliage—spray the foliage with soapy water.
- Snails – In the garden, bury a shallow dish so that the dish’s rim is level with the soil. Add beer to the plate. Snails will seek out the beer and will be unable to free themselves.
- Root Rot – Allow soil to dry completely before watering and ensure that soil is well-draining.
Recommended Varieties
With so many varieties to choose from, it can be challenging to choose which succulents are right for you. There are many varieties of succulents within each family of plants. Some are short, some are tall, and others are trailing and make great additions to hanging planters. Now that you’ve learned more about how to care for succulents, you can start building your diverse collection of juicy gems. Here are some of the most coveted types to get you started.
Outdoor Succulents
- Sedums
- Hens and Chicks
- Echeveria
- Agave
- Graptopetalum
Indoor Succulents
- Jade Plant
- Mother-in-law Tongue
- Wandering Jew
- Crown of Thorns
- Haworthia
- Aloe Vera
- Christmas Cactus
- Zebra Cactus
- Panda Plant
- String of pearls
- Hens-and-Chicks
- Donkey’s Tail
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Hello! I have finally master the jade plant. However I have a what my daughter called a yucca plant has 6 babies. In our area a nursery grows most of her own. Just a beautiful plant. All her plants are sold in 6inch pots. I always repot in clay pots. I researched how to repot and they identify this type as a aloe plant could you please see what it’s true identity is. Happy plant day!
Hi Sandra, Aloe Vera and Yucca plants are very similar, in fact they fall under the same order in their scientific classifications. On top of this Yucca plants are also often referred to as Aloe Yucca. Unfortunately, we cannot identify this plant for you without a picture of it. We recommend taking it to your local extension office or plant nursery to see if they can identify the plant for you.
The good news is that both plants, Aloe vera and Aloe Yucca, have similar re-potting needs. They both enjoy a little bit of overcrowding, so there’s no need to repot unless their roots are coming out of the drain hole, when they’ve developed pups, or when water runs straight through the soil.
To repot Yucca, fill a pot half way full with palm, cactus, and citrus planting mix. Place the plant in the new pot and adjust the soil level so the plant is seated at the same soil depth as it was in the previous container. Fill in with soil. Water. Place in a shady location for two weeks to help it adjust, then it can be placed back in its usual spot. To repot Aloe Vera, fill a pot half way full with palm, cactus, and citrus planting mix. Place the plant in the new pot and adjust the soil level so the plant is seated at the same soil depth as it was in the previous container. Fill in with soil. Water. If you have pups, be sure to remove them from the mother plant, allow them to sit out and heal overnight, and then plant them the next day.