A Beginner's Guide To Growing Succulent Plants: a blog on how to grow succulents, where to get them and how to take care of them.

Succulent Plants are one of the hottest trends in home decor. But what ARE succulent plants? And why are succulents so popular?

Unlike other plants, succulents have thick fleshy leaves, stems or branches that store water. That's why they can survive in a hot arid place. They've evolved to survive droughts and look good 24/7. Because of this special ability, succulents are generally used as popular houseplants.

What are succulent plants?

Succulent plants are usually plants with thick leaves or stems. These plants store water in their leaves and roots. They can survive long periods without water and then be revived with a little bit of water.

There are about 20,000 different species of succulents, which includes many varieties of cacti and aloe vera plants. Some people also grow succulents in their homes as houseplants, because they're easy to care for and can add color to almost any room.

Succulents come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from tiny rosette flowers like hen-and-chicks (Sempervivum spp.) to large shrubs like Yucca filamentosa (Adam's needle) or Agave americana (century plant). Some succulents have colorful flowers, while others bloom only rarely or not at all.

Succulent plants are commonly confused with cacti and other plants of the family.

Most cacti are succulents, which means they store water in their stems, leaves and roots. Cactus is simply a succulent that can store moisture but is placed in a separate category (Cactaceae). Conversely, not all succulents are cactus.

The most obvious difference between cactus and succulent plants is the presence of spines, or “glochids” (tiny barbed hairs) on the cactus plant. These glochids often cause irritation when they get stuck in clothing and skin.

Succulents are a diverse group of plants that can be divided into two categories: fleshy and leafy.

Fleshy succulents store water in their fleshy leaves, stems and roots. These include cacti, sedums and sempervivums.

Leafy succulents have thin but fleshy leaves that store water rather than having a thick cuticle like other leafy plants. These include echeverias and senecio species.

Succulents are usually larger plants with thick, fleshy leaves.

The majority of succulents are native to arid environments such as deserts or semi-deserts, although some live in tropical regions.

Most succulents survive in hot and dry conditions.

Some succulents are sensitive to frost, while others tolerate freezing temperatures.

How to water succulent plants?

Succulent plants are like cacti, but unlike their spiny cousins, succulents are adapted to grow in arid climates and need less water. While you don’t have to be as careful with watering your succulents as you would with cacti, there are still a few things you need to know when it comes to watering these drought-tolerant plants.

Watering Succulent Plants: How Often and How Much?

Succulent plants need less water than other houseplants because they store water in their leaves and stems. If you overwater them, they will rot and die quickly.

You should only water succulents when the soil feels dry about an inch below the surface or when the leaves start drooping. You can tell if your plant needs more water by placing your finger into the soil up to your first knuckle; if it feels dry, then you know it’s time to give your plant some H2O!

The amount of water that each type of succulent needs varies depending on its size and location in your home — whether it’s near a window or forced air heating vent

How to care for succulents indoors and outdoors

Succulents are a great way to add a touch of color and texture to your home. They are also easy to care for and can grow in low light conditions, making them ideal for those with shady windows or even indoors.

Here's how to care for succulents indoors:

Lighting: Succulents need bright light but not direct sunlight. Plants that are kept in full sun will be more susceptible to sunburn, so they should be moved away from windows that face directly into the sun during the summer months.

Watering: Water your succulent only when it feels dry on the surface of the soil, which can be difficult with small pots and shallow containers. If you have trouble remembering when to water, try using a moisture gauge or set up a watering schedule based on how many inches tall your plant is (e.g., once every two weeks for plants that are 6 inches tall).

Fertilization: Fertilize once a month during the growing season (spring through fall), using an organic fertilizer like Espoma Citrus Tone or Milorganite. In winter months when growth slows down or stops completely, skip fertilizing until spring when new growth begins again

If you have succulents growing outdoors, you may have noticed that they have lost some of their leaves. This is normal and it happens to most succulents when they are exposed to the elements for a prolonged period of time. If you want your succulents to be healthy and happy, you need to learn how to care for them.

Watering Succulents Outdoors

The first thing that you need to do is watering your succulent plants properly. You should only water them when they need water because overwatering can cause root rot and kill your plant. To determine if they need water or not, simply stick your finger into the soil. If it feels dry at least an inch down from the surface, then it's time to water them again. If it feels moist all the way through, then don't worry about watering them for a few days

Sun Exposure

You need to give your outdoor plants sufficient exposure to sunlight so that they can photosynthesize properly. This means that they will convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and produce glucose (sugar) as a result of this chemical reaction

How to care for succulent gardens, potted arrangements, and terrariums

They require less water than most other types of houseplants, but if you overwater them, they will suffer from root rot or fungal infections that can kill them.

Succulents make beautiful potted arrangements, but they can be tricky to care for. Follow these tips to keep your succulent garden thriving all year long:

Use well-drained soil

Water sparingly

Don't overwater or underwater

Rotate your pots regularly

Succulents make a great addition to any garden or terrarium. They are very easy to care for and require little water. Succulents come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.

In general a succulent is a plant that stores water in its stems, leaves or roots. The most common way to care for succulents is to keep them in containers with drainage holes and then water them when the soil gets dry.

If you have an arrangement made up of several different types of succulents choose one type that will be the dominant plant in the group. This will help make it easier to care for all the plants in your arrangement as they will be similar in size and shape. Succulents also do well when planted together with other plants such as ferns or grasses that shade them from direct sunlight if necessary.

Succulent propagation and planting tips

 

These plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings

Succulents are a beautiful and unique group of plants that come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Succulents do not have any roots and their stems are often fleshy and swollen. The tops of the stems have leaves that are usually thick, waxy or fleshy. Many succulents have flowers but they will not open widely like other flowers do.

There are many ways to propagate succulents including:

1) Leaf Cuttings

2) Stem Cuttings

3) Water Propagation System

Succulent plants are great low maintenance houseplants!