Succulent Care Guide: Tips and Information

Succubus, a desert plant that has now become a household name. What makes these plants stand out from the other charming varieties of houseplants? There are a number of reasons why succulents are so popular. The care of succulents is easy, and they are easy to transport. Greens, blues, reds, whites, and rainbow colors can be found in them.

Succulent Overview

Succubus is a Latin word meaning drink, juice, and sap. With large amounts of water retaining leaves and stems, succulents are drought-resistant. These highly durable desert dwellers make excellent houseplants due to their flexibility and ability to withstand neglect, though certain varieties do better indoors than others.

Succulent size, color, shape, style, natural climate, and care requirements all need to be considered. Blossfeldia liliputana is only an inch tall, while blue yucca grows to a height of 12 feet. In addition to their variety of colors and shapes, they also have a variety of sizes. Desert succulents are primarily found in arid climates with a couple varieties originating in tropical climates like macho mocha mangave and octopus agave.

Some houses do not have enough natural light to support certain types of succulents. In general, green succulents are better indoors than colorful succulents, depending on the amount of light you have. It is important to try and reproduce their natural habitat as much as possible so you can provide the best care.

Common Types of Succulents

Succulent plants belong to about 60 different plant families. In addition to Sempervivum, Cactaceae (cacti), Sedum and Haworthia, there are also several other popular families. Throughout this guide, we've provided examples and pictures of types of succulents from each family. Discover what makes each of these plant families unique and see which may be best suited for your next project.

Cactaceae (cacti)

One of the most identifiable types of succulents is the cactus, which has prickly spines that protect the plant. Because of their acclimation to the desert, they can survive in extreme cold and heat.

Haworthia

From southern Africa comes the small succulent plant Haworthia. During the dry seasons, they are used to a lot of sun. The Haworthia genus accounts for a significant part of the succulent family despite their size.

Sedum

In general, Sedum succulents range in size from just a few inches high to three feet high. There are about 80 species of Sedum plants, and all are members of the Crassulaceae subfamily, including the famous Crassulaceae ovata (jade plant). Sun and water don't affect them much.

Sempervivum

Typical Sempervivum succulents have a rosette-like shape. Some of them are colorful, while others are flowering. Despite having the name "always alive", these hardy succulents are also frost resistant.

Succulent Care Tips

Succulents, despite their tough guy reputation, still require love and attention. Occasionally, your plant will have dead leaves at the base, so simply remove them to keep your plant happy. Avoid a common plant care faux pas by following these guidelines below to avoid killing one of the most hardy plants.

For succulents to thrive, they need an adequate amount of direct sunlight each day. At least 36 hours should be available to the plants. Place where there is fire sticks plant of sunlight, such as a south- or east-facing window. It is very unlikely that too much direct sunlight can sunburn a succulent, but keep an eye out for unusual scorch marks. A succulent deprived of sufficient light may begin to extend its leaves outward in order to gather as much light as possible.

Succulents do not need much water as they are adapted to desert climates. It is generally recommended to let their soil completely dry before re-watering them. Your plants may rot if their roots are not left to dry in between watering. It is possible that their soil will dry up much faster in a very hot environment and if they have an effective drainage system, they may need to be watered more often about every 23 weeks. You will lessen the amount of water you need to give them as the weather gets colder.

Since succulents can adapt to extreme temperatures, most varieties are able to survive temperatures up to 4095 F. However, some of the more delicate varieties should be kept at a lower temperature range. Temperature is tied to the amount of water the succulent receives, as mentioned above.

Most succulents are not toxic. Succulents like Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear) and Aloe vera are often used in many delicious dishes. There are some succulent varieties, mainly cacti, that have spines that can puncture skin, so you should be aware of this. Although most succulents are not toxic to humans or pets, there are some varieties you may wish to avoid if you have little ones or furry friends around.

Soil and planters that have adequate drainage are best for succulents. Adding organic matter like peat moss, rocks, and pebbles to a cacti soil base can improve drainage. Whether you need to repot your plant depends on its growth and whether you are moving it to an indoor location over winter. Our guide on how to repot a plant is helpful if your plant has outgrown its pot or needs a warmer home.