How to Care for Succulents Indoors?
Say It With Succulents want to help ensure that your relationship with your new ‘Sucker’ is long and fulfilling. If you’re a plant lover, chances are you’ve come across succulents. These unique and stunning plants are known for their ability to store water in their leaves, making them low-maintenance and perfect for indoor gardening. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, taking care of succulents indoors requires some specific attention to detail to ensure their health and longevity.
In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the best practices for caring for succulents indoors, from choosing the right succulents to creating the ideal environment for them to thrive. So, grab your gardening gloves, and let’s dive in!
Choosing the Right Succulents for Indoor Gardening
When it comes to choosing succulents for indoor gardening, it’s essential to consider their specific care requirements and characteristics. Not all succulents are suitable for indoor environments, so it’s crucial to choose the right ones to ensure their health and longevity. Here are some factors to consider when selecting succulents for indoor gardening:
- Light requirements: Succulents need plenty of bright, indirect sunlight to thrive indoors. Look for succulents that are labeled as “indoor” or “low-light” varieties, as they are better suited for growing indoors.
- Size: Consider the mature size of the succulent and make sure it will fit well in your indoor space. Some succulents can grow quite large, while others stay small and compact.
- Watering needs: Different succulents have different watering requirements. Some need more frequent watering, while others prefer to dry out between waterings. Choose succulents that have similar watering needs to make care easier.
- Hardiness: Consider the hardiness of the succulent and whether it can tolerate the indoor environment. Some succulents are more sensitive to temperature and humidity changes and may not thrive indoors.
Some popular succulents that are well-suited for indoor gardening include Aloe Vera, Echeveria, Haworthia, Jade Plant, and Zebra Plant. Remember to choose succulents that are healthy, pest-free, and have good root systems when purchasing them from nurseries or online.
To get you growing in the right direction, here are some helpful tips for you to follow:
Firstly, have you removed the sticker from the base of the pot? Make sure you allow for complete drainage of your succulent by removing this first- it’s for transportation purposes only.
Succulents like well-drained soil. It’s important to keep the soil moist, but not overly wet. Don’t let your soil dry out; when it starts to dehydrate, it’s time for water. You will find that your succulents will require less water in Winter than in Summer, so be careful not to saturate your plant during the cooler months.
To ensure your succulent grows it will need a decent amount of light. We’ve found that a bright windowsill works wonders or leaves your succulent outside in broad daylight. If your succulent is left in the dark it will start to deteriorate, and fast…. So make sure you keep an eye on how your succulent is progressing.
Succulent leaves tell a thousand words; if you see signs of change, make sure you respond to this. Be on the lookout for the following signs of poor health and send your plant to rehab:
Succulent Leaves Start to Spread Apart
This may be a sign that your succulent is lacking a light source. Move to a brighter and more well-lit area. You may like to keep your succulent outdoors for a little R&R if you’ve kept it locked up inside.
Plant Stops Growing
Don’t be too alarmed by the lack of growth during Winter- this is a normal process for the plant. You will find that your succulent will start to amaze you at the start of Spring. If however, your plant has lived through the warmer months and shows no sign of growth then you may want to consider some rehab- water more frequently moves to a better light source and fertilize.
If you have let your plant dry out too much, you may find your soil has too. Try re-potting in a sandy-based mix for optimum results. Succulents don’t like a highly organic soil mix either. Rather, they prefer sandy environments.
Succulent Leaves drop And the Leaves Start to Fall Off
Your plant needs more water! Make sure to keep on top of your watering schedule. We don’t want to dictate how often to water, the best indicator is your plant, so remember to be in tune with your little sucker.
Succulent Leaves Have Turned Black
Your plant is suffering from too much water. Have you left your plant out in the rain for a few days? If so, make sure you bring it inside or undercover to dry out. Make sure you pull off all leaves that are starting to rot, as this will cause further plant rot.
Succulent Starts to Lose Its Color
This may indicate that your succulent is lacking light. You may want to consider repositioning to a well-lit position. Succulents can be kept indoors without issue; you just need to find the right spot for it to thrive. Try a northerly aspect for optimum sun exposure.
These few tips will go a long way to help your plant recover from common problems that can occur when your succulent is neglected. Remember, every succulent is a potential life-long companion, so make sure you give it all the love and attention it deserves.
The Benefits of a Succulent Plant
No doubt you have heard of the word succulent. Many people have used this word in an attempt to describe a favorite food but there is a better way to use this word. In reality, this is the name of a specific type of succulent plant. Succulent plants are plants that store water within their leaves, stems, or roots. These plants are distinguished by rather large and fleshy leaves, as well as the ability to sustain life in dry, arid conditions.
These plants, due to their ability to hold water, can be found in many of the world’s driest places! So what are the benefits of having a succulent plant? Why should you bypass other well-known plants in favor of a succulent? Let’s take a few moments and discover the beautiful world of succulent plants and why you should make them a part of your home décor.
Succulent plants are very hearty. That doesn’t mean they have a heart but it does mean that they are resilient. Many people are familiar with the cactus but they fail to understand that a cactus is a succulent plant. Did you know that cacti flower? Did you know that they come in hundreds of varieties? Cacti have an uncanny ability to thrive in the most inhospitable environments.
From extreme heat to extreme cold these plants can survive because they can regulate their temperature due to their ability to store water. This makes the succulent plant a keeper for those people who have a hard time remembering to water plants. When it comes to succulents, quick water once a month is more than enough to keep these plants thriving and producing!
Read More: Phoenix Roebelenii – Best Indoor Planting and Caring Tips
But why should you make this plant a part of your home? While cacti are more familiar, did you know that the Aloe plant is succulent? If you are like most people then you have to deal with the harmful effects of the sun and its ultraviolet rays. One of the biggest risks of sun exposure is sunburn.
The aloe plant is a common source of relief when it comes to sunburn. By cracking open one of the leaves and rubbing the slimy contents on your burn, the aloe can reduce and in some cases remove the pain associated with a burn.
These are just a few of the many benefits associated with the succulent plant. Take a quick trip to your local market and determine if a succulent is right for you.
