Succulents are one of the hottest trending plants right now. These hardy plants come in a variety of beautiful shape and colors and need much less upkeep than most houseplants. They can grow in extreme conditions, last for weeks without water, and grow in places a lot of other plants can’t handle. It’s no wonder why people are getting so obsessed with succulents!
As hardy as they are, they will take a little bit more upkeep than the occasional lazy watering. Luckily they can grow in many different locations and varying amounts of light! Let’s take a look at how you can have nice, hardy succulents growing year round!
Temperature
When people think of succulents you think of dry climate plants, they rightfully think of the hardy plants that grow in the desert year round under the most extreme temperatures. Succulents deal well with high heat, although they prefer temperatures between 75º-90ºF. They are also surprisingly resistant to cold! Deserts have some of the most impressive temperature ranges of any climate zone. Hot and , as well as semiarid desert (the two you always see on nature documentaries and in magazines), can get down to 40º at nights while peaking around 120º during the days. Because of this succulents enjoy nice cool night temperatures down around 50º-60ºF.
Water
Succulents grow in a place that’s famous for being a biome with very little water (less than 9.75 inches a year). Because of this people think that succulents rarely need water, which is not always the truth. In the desert succulents, cactuses, and other plants have the ability to grow deep reaching roots and take advantage of water trapped in the earth. In a pot, these roots systems won’t be nearly as extensive and will usually need more regular watering.
During the summer and spring, your succulent will need regular watering. When the soil feels close to being bone dry, water the plant. Never water to the point where the plant is sitting in a puddle, just up until it becomes moist
During fall and winter, your succulent will become dormant. It only needs to be watered every two months at this point until spring starts up again
Overwatering: A grave concern of succulents is overwatering. Overwatering can lead to plant rot and leave the leaves feeling soft and looking discolored.
Underwatering: Succulents will need generous watering in it’s growing season. Underwatered plants won’t flower properly, will shed leaves and will eventually develop brown spots (and die).
Potting Soils
For succulents, you want to use potting soil with a consistency closest to a desert. A very loose very well draining soil is preferred. There are different potting soils specifically made for cactuses and other succulents, but if you can’t access any of those, there is a way to make your own. Buy a regular potting soil and add an inorganic agent such as perlite to the soil. This will increase aeration and drainage, and make your succulent feel like it’s in the unforgiving desert.
Koopman Lumber sells Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm, and Citrus potting mix. This potting mix is designed to drain correctly and be loose enough to allow your plants roots to dig deep. The Miracle-Gro also has a slow acting fertilizer release agent that will release fertilizer into your soil for six months!
Fertilizer
Succulents should be fertilized just as often as conventional plants, but as soon as the last growing cycle stops (mid to late fall) you should stop. Succulents enter a dormant period in the late fall and early winter.
Wrap Up
Succulents are beautiful, hardy plants that can be grown in almost anyone’s home or garden. They can be grown with little to no difficulty, even for the most horticulturally impaired. If you have and questions about succulents or soils then come down to one of our many Koopman locations or visit us online at Koopmanlumber.com!
