Succulents have quickly become some of the most popular houseplants available. They’re in-style, affordable, and super easy to care for. Literally, anyone anywhere can grow succulents with very little attention or water. They grow well together and are easy to propagate, making them fun to collect and trade. If you want to add the upbeat appeal of potted succulents to your Evansville home or office, take a look at this quick guide to growing succulents inside from the experts at Zeidler’s Flowers.
How Do Succulents Differ from Other Plants?
The main differentiator between succulents and other plants are their leaves. Succulents grow thick, rubbery leaves, segments, or spines that help them store water. This expert adaptation allows them to tolerate drought extremely well, making it possible for them to thrive in environments that receive little rainfall.
The Unbelievable Benefits of Indoor Succulents
Succulents are obviously super-cute, and that’s a good reason to keep them nearby, but they’re also beneficial to indoor environments. Succulents help regulate humidity, purify toxins from the air, and they replenish the oxygen. In addition, succulents have been shown to create a calm, relaxing environment that improves both focus and productivity.
Favorite Succulent Varieties
It’s tough to choose even a few favorite succulents because they grow in so many wonderful shapes, sizes, and colors. Although most people think of them as being only green or grayish-blue, succulents actually grow in a rainbow of bright, saturated colors like red, violet, pink, fuchsia, black, yellow, and burgundy.
Pachyveria
As stated before, succulents are many and varied. What adds to the number of different succulents are hybrid plants like the pachyveria, which is a cross between an echeveria and pachyphytum. As a result, this plant has features of both, such as a dusty green color, long, pointed leaves, and a circular leaf pattern.
Succulent – Pachyveria
Jade
Jade plants are a highly popular succulent choice. They look great in succulent gardens with other plants and also do really well on their own. With green leaves and brown stems, they resemble miniature trees, perfect for creating a miniature garden scene. Jades are also surprisingly long-lasting. They often turn into heirlooms and are passed down from generation to generation in families.
Jade Plant
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoes are some of the most cheerful-looking succulents you can find. They have paddle-shaped leaves and bloom with big clusters of delicate flowers in shades of vibrant pink, red, orange, yellow, and white. When well-tended, kalanchoes will start blooming in autumn, and they won’t stop until spring.
Orange Kalanchoe
How to Grow Healthy Succulents Inside
Display them in a container or landscape style that is appealing to you, but keep in mind that it’s best to use a container that will allow excess water to drain easily. Use well-aerated soil designed for cacti and succulents, so the soil does not hold too much water. Place succulents in a spot where they will receive plenty of sunshine and rotate their container periodically to encourage even growth.
Succulents don’t need much water, in fact, over-watering is the leading cause of succulent death. When you do water them, saturate the soil and allow all the excess water to drain. Never let a succulent sit in standing water. Wait for the soil to dry completely before watering the succulents again.
If you notice any yellowing or brownish leaves, this could be an indication of a stressed plant. Typically, this occurs due to over-watering, but it can also indicate extreme thirst. Check the soil’s moisture and contact an expert at Zeidler’s Flowers for more help.
