Succulents can be used to create a striking container arrangement, a colorful rock garden, or even a piece of outdoor wall art. They are an exotic and eye-catching way to enhance your garden. Additionally, resilient and hardy, succulents prefer neglect to ongoing care.
Another benefit is that growing succulents successfully doesn’t require a green thumb. Your succulents will thrive and even spread on their own with little intervention if you create growing conditions similar to those in their natural habitats.
Here are eight suggestions to help you start your succulent garden off right.
1. Pick the right plant
Succulents come in a mind-boggling array of colors, shapes, and sizes. When choosing plants for your succulent garden, consider both form and function.
Select a mix of small-, medium-, and large-sized plants to create visual interest and variety. And be sure to pick plants that will stay within the bounds of your planting area as they mature.
2. Prepare the soil
Most succulents prefer well-drained soil similar to what you might find in their native habitats—sandy or gravelly deserts, rocky slopes, or woodlands.
While you can grow succulents in potting mix formulated for cacti and other succulents, you can also make your own by mixing equal parts potting soil, coarse sand, and small gravel.
3. Provide drainage
Succulents won’t tolerate soggy roots, so it’s essential to provide good drainage in both the soil and the container. Planting in the ground improves drainage by amending heavy clay soils with sand or grit. And be sure to choose a pot with drainage holes to prevent soggy roots.
4. Give them light
Most succulents need full sun—at least six hours of direct sunlight each day—to maintain their compact shape and vibrant color. If you don’t have a spot that gets that much sun, try growing succulents under grow lights.
5. Water wisely
One of the most common mistakes people make when growing succulents is overwatering. These plants store water in their leaves, stems, and roots, so they don’t need to be watered as often as other plants.
In general, succulents should be watered about once a week during the growing season (spring and summer) and even less frequently—every two to three weeks—in fall and winter.
6. Fertilize sparingly
While succulents need some nutrients to thrive, too much fertilizer can do more harm than good. If you decide to fertilize your plants, use a balanced fertilizer formulated for cacti and other succulents, and apply it at half the recommended rate.
7. Pest control
Because succulents are slow-growing, they’re not as attractive to pests as other plants. However, aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects can sometimes be a problem.
The best way to deal with pests is to catch them early and spray the plants with water to remove the insects. You can also use an organic pesticide if the infestation is severe.
8. Propagation
One of the best things about succulents is that they’re easy to propagate—you can grow new plants from leaves or cuttings taken from an existing plant. Lay a leaf on well-drained soil to propagate from leaves and wait for it to sprout roots.
To propagate from cuttings, cut a stem from the mother plant, allow the cut end to callus over for a day or two, and then plant it in well-drained soil. With patience, your succulents will soon multiply on their own.
By following these simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to growing a healthy and beautiful succulent garden. And who knows—with some practice, you might develop a green thumb after all.
