Succulents Are For Everyone
Thinking about starting a plant collection but unsure where to begin? Don’t worry, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the many types of plants out there. How about giving succulents a try? Even though they might seem a little scary at first, they’re actually perfect for beginners!
Succulents are great for all kinds of gardening projects. You can use them to start a small garden in containers, add some life to your front yard, or even just to start a mini collection of plants.
What’s special about succulents is that they come in lots of shapes and sizes. Both expert collectors and new gardeners love them because they’re colorful, easy to care for, and can adapt to different conditions.
So, ready to learn how to grow beautiful, healthy succulents? Here are some handy tips!
How Much Sunlight Do Succulents Need?
Most houseplants prefer to stay out of direct sunlight, but not succulents! They love soaking up the sun. When you’re growing succulents, it’s good to keep their natural home in mind. In the wild, succulents are used to living in hot, dry places like deserts where they get lots of sunlight. This sun helps them grow and even bloom into beautiful flowers. If you see a succulent with flowers, it’s a sure sign your plant is happy!
Farina: Succulent's Homemade Sunscreen
Speaking of full sun, have you ever seen white, powdery stuff on your succulent’s leaves? Don’t worry, it’s not a disease! It’s actually a substance called Farina, and it’s really important for the plant. You can think of Farina like a natural sunscreen for your succulent. It helps the plant handle sun exposure, keeps it from losing too much water, and protects it from other things in the environment. If your succulent doesn’t have this coating, it might not be getting enough sun. Remember, don’t try to clean this stuff off the leaves. It’s there to help your succulent stay strong and healthy. Without it, your plant can get sunburned, catch diseases, or dry out.
Watering Your Succulents
When starting with succulents, people often think they don’t need much water. While it’s true that they need less water than many other plants, it doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy a good drink! Succulents don’t like to stay wet for too long, but they do appreciate a thorough watering every now and then.
Here’s an idea: why not let your succulents enjoy some rain? Rainwater is full of great stuff for plants, and succulents are no exception. They really love it!
How often you should water your succulents depends on how much sun they get. If your plants are basking in full sun or are placed near a sunny window, you’ll need to water them more often.
To make watering easier, you could use a moisture / water meter. It will tell you exactly how much water is in the soil, so you won’t have to guess if your succulent needs water or not. It’s a win-win for both you and your plants!
As summer rolls in, lots of us are catching the gardening fever. With these easy tips for successful succulent care under your belt, don’t hesitate to give these lovely plants a try. On your next trip to Louisiana Nursery, be sure to add a succulent (or maybe even a couple!) to your shopping list. You’ll be thrilled to discover the diverse and stunning range of succulents we have in store for you.
Thanks for reading, and a special thank you to the guest-writer – Ariel German – who created this great introduction to succulents! Ariel runs an Instagram page dedicated to everything plants and succulents. She was kind enough to write this piece and let us use her amazing pictures! Check out her beautiful page ‘here‘.
