Succulent Care

As the name goes, a succulent plant has a fleshy part that serves as a water reservoir. It stores water in certain parts, as a means to adapt in the least hospitable, dry habitats. When compared to flowering plants and other garden cultivars, succulent care tips are very easy to follow. They are indigenous to dry arid regions and have a tendency to grow in poor nutrient soils. Even without regular watering and supplementation of nutrients, these desert plants still grow luxuriantly.

Succulent Plant Identification

Common examples of succulent house plants, which all of us are familiar with are aloe vera, agave, sansevieria, adenium (or desert rose), echeveria, crassula, ponytail palm, etc. Identifying these species is easier said than done, as most of the varieties develop similar looking leaves and stem. An easy way is to classify succulents with respect to the plant part, where they store water. The major groups of succulent plants along with identification tips are explained below.

Leaf Succulents: These type of plants store water in foliage portion, hence are known as leaf succulents. Examples include aloe vera and ponytail palm. Cut open an aloe leaf and you will find that it is filled with watery, gelatinous substance called sap. It is this aloe sap that possesses medicinal properties.

Stem Succulents: Nearly all cactus varieties fall into this group of succulent plants. Instead of foliage, they have scales and thorns to reduce water loss. The stems are hollow or spongy, which serve as water reservoir. Several cactus species produce large showy flowers and are included in flower gardens.

Root Succulents: The root succulents comprise a group of plants (e.g., Opuntia tuberosa and Brachystelma meyerianum) that use underground roots for storing water. This adaptive feature helps in reducing water loss by evaporation, and more importantly, these plants are less attracted to desert animals, which rely on plants for meeting their water requirements.

Succulent Care Instructions

The mode of propagation for these desert plant is cutting of the vegetative parts, stem or offset bearing roots. Hence, when you purchase them from your local nursery center, most probably you are bringing home the stem or offshoot. As you cannot determine the size of mature plants with reference to the cuttings, take advice from a horticulturist regarding the plant size at maturity. That way, you can decide correct pot dimension and nutrient requirements. For your reference, basic succulent care tips are given below.

Ideal Temperature
Based on the species, you can grow succulents as houseplants or garden plants in outdoors. But, some of the succulent plant varieties called for overwintering. Hence, if you are residing in very cold regions, consider protecting the plants from cold winter frost and winds. The best is plant them as a part of container gardening, and place them indoors during winter.

Light Exposure
One of the most important factors is maximum exposure of succulents to filtered light (not direct sunlight). When kept in direct sun, they may get withered and tanned. In case, your new plants remain green and elongated, they need more light. And if the plant parts facing towards the sun appear somewhat withered and yellowish, reduce light exposure.

Watering Frequency
Being native to dry climatic conditions doesn't mean that you should not water your cactus and succulent plants. Water them deeply once in a week during the active period, i.e., spring and early summer months. However, make sure that the top soil is dry before the next watering session. In dormant period, you can water them less frequently (once in a month).

Supplement Fertilizers
Cactus and succulents thrive well in poor soil, but adding nutrients promotes healthy growths of the plants. Providing fertilizers to these desert plants can be done in spring, at the start of active period. Use a flowering houseplant nutrient formulation that contains lesser amount of nitrogen. Also, fertilize only half or one-fourth of the recommended dosage.

Succulent Problems
Keep an eye over the plant for mealy bug and aphid infestations. If identified in the initial stage, spray the affected plants with a strong jet of water for getting rid of the pests. Another tip is to dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and wipe the affected parts. If required, you can apply a mild dose of insecticides.

As you see, providing correct succulent care and maintenance tips is not difficult at all. Do not allow the plants to sit in stagnant water, as they cannot tolerate waterlogged soil and less air circulation. Avoid excess watering and protect your houseplants from cold, and surely you can maintain luxuriant succulents in and around your home.