What You Should Know About Succulent Types, Decoration, and Care
Succulents are more suitable as decoration than almost any other plant, not only because of their unusual shapes. Succulents hardly need any care, they can be reproduced well and you rarely have to water them – find out everything about the trendy green Succulent Types plants.
What Exactly Are Succulents?
By succulents, we mean plants of very different species, all of which have thick, fleshy leaves. The plants store water in them, revealing their most important property: they are absolutely frugal and easy to care for. It is often asked whether succulents are cacti – cacti are part of succulent plants, but they only make up a small part of all succulents. By the way: The term “succulent” has its origins in Latin because “succulentus ” means “rich in juice”.
A distinction is made between leaf succulents, stem succulents, or root succulents, although combinations are also possible.
The so-called “caudex plants” show a special case of stem succulence. Characteristic here is a thickened trunk, which is crowned by a tuft of more or less succulent leaves. They can shed these during a drought. In some cases, the top of the root is thickened.
Small works of art of nature: Succulents often have unusual or bizarre shapes and are thus perfect as sculptural decoration.
Metabolism of Succulents
In contrast to other plants, many take up the carbon dioxide necessary for photosynthesis at night. The advantage of this is as follows: The loss of water is lower at night when the gas exchange required for photosynthesis takes place. This extraordinary metabolism of the succulents is called CAM, which means Crassulacean Acid Metabolism because it was first discovered in thick-leaf plants (Crassulaceae).
Where to Buy Succulents?
You can find succulents for sale at your local garden nursery and home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowes. If you’re looking for rare breeds and more varieties, a great option is to buy them online. There are many online succulent stores nowadays, among which the best choices have been curated and reviewed by Succulent Alley.
Succulents as Decoration
Succulents look like works of art in and of themselves and can usually be arranged as desired. Since the plants get by with very little soil, they are tempted to experiment: whether mini pots or holes in bricks, succulents also grow where hardly any other plant can withstand.
Therefore, almost everything can be planted with succulents, it just must not be waterlogged, as even the toughest succulent cannot withstand that.
Read More: Top 4 Tips For Decorating With Plants
1. Indoor Decoration Tip: Succulents in Jars
Succulents are so versatile: Since they only need a little soil, the small plants can be placed in a wide variety of planters, even in wine glasses. Let your creativity run free and give your succulents a new home.
Important: It is best to use sandy cactus soil and make sure that no waterlogging occurs when watering.
2. Indoor Decoration Tip: Mediterranean Flair in the Garden
With their pale green leaves, some succulents appear to have been faded by the sun: Combine these specimens with classic clay or terracotta pots – this looks like a trip to a hot country on the Mediterranean.
3. Indoor Decoration Tip: Plant Old Roller Skates
Do you still have old roller skates from your youth in the basement or in the attic? Then use the charming mementos and breathe new life into them: as a decorative home for your succulents! To do this, remove the laces and fill the roller skate with soil. Now insert the small succulents of your choice in the shoe and then pour something – your very own succulent decoration is ready.
Succulents Are So Frugal
Succulents are absolute survival professionals, no wonder, as they come from dry regions of the world, where only good water management ensures survival. The thick leaves are reservoirs for emergencies so that succulents can survive long periods of drought. This makes them ideal roommates for people who have little time for the green hobby. The Hunger Artists are also perfect entry-level plants for children.
Twisted in themselves like an acrobat, spherical like marbles, or with shiny wax as suntan lotion – the bizarre appearance of the succulents also serves only one purpose, namely to reduce the surface and thus to evaporate as little water as possible. The succulents include species such as agaves, sempervivum, sedum (sedum plant), and also cacti.
Deco with succulents does not have to be laborious and is easy to do yourself. Different succulents were placed in a large planter.
Succulents: These Types Exist
The succulents include numerous types of succulent plants with many variations, which makes the plant a popular collector’s item. The well-known money tree, for example, grows upright, and ramified – just like a tree.
Echeveria, on the other hand, forms flat rosettes, while the ragwort (Senecio) with its tiny spherical leaves on the long shoots is ideal as a hanging plant. They are all pretty undemanding and true sun children. The only thing they don’t like at all is waterlogging.
The Right Location for Succulents
That’s easy to say: the location should be bright and sunny. A south-facing window is, therefore, best suited. Only white frosted and very light green species should be protected from the bright summer sun or stand a little further away from the window. In winter, succulents should be a little cooler, if possible, at 8-12 degrees.
Plant, Care, and Water Succulents
Cactus soil has proven itself as a substrate because it is well permeable. Of course, succulents also need water. In the growth phase from early summer to autumn, water is poured thoroughly and liquid cactus fertilizer is added every four weeks. The soil should always dry out completely between watering, in winter succulents take a break, and watering is rarely done.
Who said that succulent only have to stand by the window? The smart green plants are also a real feast for the eyes when hanging!
How do I Propagate Succulents?
Succulents can be easily propagated by cuttings from the head, many species even from individual leaves are clipped off the plant and put in potting soil. Important: The cut or breakpoints must dry out for a while before they are inserted.