Succulents are beautiful small or medium-sized plants that come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Succulents were once native plants of the desert and now they are in our homes and we use them as interesting and diverse houseplants. Succulents such as jade are among the plants suitable for the baby’s room, and the positive thing about jade is that it is a symbol of luck and wealth. Hoping that your baby will be full of these two items in the not-too-distant future! Continue reading this article in TooPlant in order to learn more about how to grow and care for succulents.
What plants are succulents?
Succulent is any plant that has fleshy, hard and water-storing organs. Succulents store water in their leaves, stems and roots. These plants have adapted to dry and humid climate conditions all over the world, from Africa to the American desert, and this adaptation has made it possible to grow all kinds of succulents at home.
Most species of succulents are resistant to climate changes and lack of water and can live for years. They are also easily portable due to their small size. Plants with a special and decorative appearance, suitable for every taste. Sometimes some people confuse succulents with cacti.
You can use succulents to make a terrarium, dish garden, vertical garden, succulent wall and succulent kokedama. Succulents are a symbol of loyalty and resistance, and for this reason, this plant has become more and more popular as a gift in recent years, and they are very suitable for gifts to your friends.
In the first part of this article, we will introduce the common types of succulents so that you can buy your favorite indoor succulents that suit your home’s environmental conditions. In the next part, we will introduce the tips for maintaining succulents and learn more about how to care for succulents and growing them to make succulents last longer with you.
What’s the Difference Between Cacti and Succulents?
A succulent is any plant that can store water in its stem or leaves. These plants usually have fleshy stems or leaves that can store water. You should know that all cacti are actually a succulent, but not all succulents are cacti. In fact, succulent is a more general name and includes cacti as well.
Both are carnivorous plants, but indoor succulents include a very large part of carnivorous plants, which includes cacti, so it can be said that cacti are a subset of the large family of succulents.
The difference between a cactus and a succulent can be checked from several features, the difference in areole (succulents do not have areoles from which the blade protrudes), the difference in the blade (cacti have many blades, but succulents do not have blades), leaves (except for a few There are very few species (most cacti don’t have leaves) and flowers (cactus flowers are very large, special and complex).
What are the different types of succulents?
Succulents should be divided into the following two categories:
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Hardy succulents
Plants have the ability to live in harsh conditions and cold weather, and in most species, the color of the leaves changes at low temperatures, but they still survive. (Semperovium, Crassula multicava (Fairy Crassula), Zebra Haworthia).
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Soft succulents
These new plants cannot withstand cold temperatures, so if you live in cold areas of the country and you like to keep your plants on the balcony, they will not be a good choice for you. (Sedum, Cotyledon, Achuria).
What is the most common succulent?
Succulents are plants with thick, fleshy leaves that store water in their stems and leaves to survive in times of drought. In general, these plants are resistant to adverse conditions such as heat, cold, and lack of water, but some of their species are more compatible with the environmental conditions of houses, and we suggest that you use the following species for your home.
To care for succulents, the best thing is to provide their native conditions in your home. When choosing a succulent, pay attention to the amount of light required, the amount and distance of watering, its size and model. About 60 species of plants and their subgroups are considered among the large family of succulents. Here we introduce three common types of succulents: Haworthia, Sedum and Sempervivum.
Haworthia
The Haworthia family is a species of small-sized succulents native to South Africa. These plants require a lot of light and little water. Despite their small size, Haworthia species have many different types. Its most famous types are:
🪴Zebra Haworthia
🪴Haworthia cooperi
🪴Haworthia limifolia
Sedum
These succulents have a variety of shapes and sizes, and their sizes vary from a few centimeters to a meter. Sedums belong to the Crassula species, of which the famous Crassula plant is also a part. These plants also need a lot of light and little water. The most common types of sedum succulents are:
🪴Sedum morganianum
🪴Sedum rubrotinctum
🪴Sedum spp.
Sempervivum
Sempervivum succulents are all rose-shaped and come in a variety of colors. These succulents are resistant to cold and we can give the nickname (ever-living plants) to these types of succulents. The most famous species of the Sempervivum succulent family are:
🪴Sempervivum tectorum
🪴Sempervivum montanum
🪴Sempervivum arachnoideum
How to care for succulents
After the introduction of common species, we came to the care for succulents. Succulents are generally easy-going plants, but despite their rough and tough appearance, they also need your love and attention. In this section, we discuss suitable conditions for the life of succulents and examine them in terms of toxicity and pest. In the last part of the article, we will introduce succulent propagation methods.
In this part, we will focus on the most important aspects which you need to take into consideration while treating these plants. The best methods of how to care for succulents include as follows:
Succulents Light Requirements: What light is best for succulents?
Light is among the first important issues to care for succulents. All succulents need sunlight, and most of them need full sunlight, i.e. at least 3 to 6 hours of sunlight per day. Also, green succulents need less light than colored succulents.
We recommend placing succulents near south or east-facing windows so that they receive more light. Be aware that direct sunlight can burn succulents, although this rarely happens, sometimes check the leaves of succulents for signs of burns.
So, as shown above, light plays a significant role to care for succulents.
Succulents Watering: How often should you water a succulent?
In the rest, concerning the tips of caring for a succulent, it is better to know that as we mentioned in the previous sections, succulents do not need a lot of water.
The general rule is to allow the potting soil to dry completely before each watering. If you water it before the soil is completely dry, it is possible that the roots of the plant will rot over time and your plant will die.
If the air in the living environment of the succulents is very hot and the soil in the pot has very good drainage, it is necessary to water them more often. The colder the weather, the less frequent watering.
In this way, to care for succulents, watering is considered to be of great significance.
Succulents Soil: What is the best soil for a succulent?
Intending to care for succulents, the other crucial matter is soil. The soil used must have proper drainage so that air can flow in it and water can be easily removed because too much water will cause the plant to rot and die. Disinfect the soil before using it in the pot. The suitable soil composition for succulents is a combination of coco peat (or coir), peat moss and sand. If you are a beginner, be sure to use special soil for cactus.
Thus, it can be said that, soil is another basic and important issue so as to care for succulents.
Succulents Temperature Tolerance
Now, we come to temperature which is assumed to be principal to care for succulents in addition to light, watering and soil that are mentioned above.
Since most succulents are compatible with very high and very low temperatures, they can tolerate temperatures between 4 and 35 degrees. It’s best to read carefully about the exact temperature range your succulent can tolerate.
Succulents Humidity: Does Succulents like humidity?
Moisture is another thing which we need to inevitably pay attention to when talking about how to care for succulents. Most succulents and cacti don’t like very humid weather, although there are exceptions, but they don’t like long-term humidity. You can mist some lukewarm water on the succulents on hot days. Preferably spray early in the morning so that the plant has time to dry at night.
Therefore, please do not forget to take humidity into consideration in order to care for succulents in the best way.
Succulents Fertilizer: What is the best fertilizer for a succulent?
When you want to care for succulents, one of the important questions that may come to your mind is “what is the best fertilizer?” In what follows, we will address how to fertilize these plants:
Fertilization should be done in the growing season of the plant, so in the spring, which is the growing season of most succulents, you can fertilize them and fertilize them again in late summer or early fall. Fertilizing at least once a month is sufficient. For winter-growing succulents like Christmas, you can fertilize once in winter, but the solution should be very diluted.
As a result, we could say that fertilizer is regarded as one of the fundamental issues when someone wants to care for succulents.
Succulents Toxicity: Are Succulents poisonous to humans and pets?
In order to care for succulents, toxicity is considered to be a major issue because it directly relates to your health especially children and pets.
Skin contact with the sap of the Euphorbia succulent may cause sensitivity, and if eaten, it causes heartache.
Succulents that are toxic to pets:
- Aloe vera; if eaten, it causes lethargy and digestive problems.
- Crassula; if eaten, it causes digestive problems in the animal.
- Euphorbia, the sap of the plant causes sensitivity when it comes into contact with the animal’s skin, and causes digestive problems when eaten.
- Kalanchoe; rarely kills animals but makes them sick if eaten. (Click to know other important and useful tips for care for Kalanchoe).
Non-toxic succulents for pets:
Here are some types of non-toxic succulents that you can use in your home:
- All species of Echeveria
- Graptopetalum paraguayense (Ghost Plant)
- All types of Haworthia
- Sedum morganianum
- Sempervivum tectorum
Succulents Repotting: How to repot Succulents?
When the roots of the succulents start to come out from under the pot, it is time to change the pot. Like cacti, the best time to repot succulents is late winter and early spring. Of course, when necessary, you can change the pot of succulents in any season. If you feel that the conditions of your plant are not suitable and that not changing the soil or pot may cause damage to the plant, be sure to change the soil and pot. Use suitable soil and pots for this.
Sometimes, as a result of not changing the soil and the pot for a long time, the nutrients in the soil are exhausted and the plant is unable to grow. Or the root has spread to such an extent that it protrudes from the holes in the bottom of the pot. In such a situation, it is necessary to change the soil and the pot.
Choosing the right pot size for your succulents
Choosing the right pot is one of the important points of changing the pot. Indoor succulents should not be planted in large pots and the time of changing the pot should be one size bigger. The selected pot must have proper drainage and it is better not to use glazed clay pots because they retain water and cause the roots to rot.
Succulents Pruning: How to prune Succulents?
Another thing to keep in mind when caring for a succulent is pruning it. Sometimes, despite observing all the conditions such as light, temperature, suitable soil for cacti and succulents, these plants do not grow much. In such a situation, you should check the root. Due to the limited environment of the pot, the roots of these fleshy plants rot quickly.
Also, after some time, the root covers the entire circumference of the pot, and new roots that are responsible for receiving food and water are not made, and the so-called roots become woody.
Root pruning time of succulents
The best time for root pruning is when changing the pot or soil. It is better to change the pot before the beginning of the growing season. Also, in cacti and indoor succulents that are suspected of severe root rot, root pruning should be done as soon as possible. Also, it is better to prune the roots of plants whose roots have come out of the bottom of the pot.
Propagating Succulents: How to propagate Succulents?
When you want to care for succulents, another important question that may come to your mind is “how to propagate them.”
The most important point in planting indoor succulents is that the soil and the pot must have sufficient drainage, that is, they can easily pass water through themselves and do not retain excess moisture. You can use cactus soil as a base soil and add peat moss and gravel to improve soil drainage. Most succulents are easy to propagate and you can grow them yourself in your home. For example, in Sempervivum tectorum, new plant buds grow from the base of the original plant. You can easily remove the new shoots from the base of the plant and plant them in another pot.
Different methods of propagation of succulents
Succulents propagating by Cutting: If your plant is too tall, you can cut a part of the stem (about 2 cm below the leaf) and plant it in a separate pot.
Succulents propagating by separating from the roots: take out the root of the succulent from the soil and slowly separate it from the root and divide it into two parts. Now plant both plants in two separate pots.
Succulents propagating by separating stipules: stipules are small plants that can live separately from the main plant. Gently separate them from the base of the original plant and plant them in a new pot.
Succulents propagating by planting leaves: Some succulent species such as sedum can be propagated by cutting leaves and planting them in a new environment.
¤¤ Gently cut a few leaves from the succulent with a sharp knife.
¤¤ Lay the leaf on the soil so that the cut end of the leaf enters the soil. It is better to have potting soil with good drainage.
¤¤ Carefully spray the water on the soil. Because the plant is in a little depth of the soil and it may move during watering.
¤¤ Water it two to three times a week so that the plant takes root and sprouts.
¤¤ After some time when the sprouts have grown, you can plant them in a new pot.
Common Pests and Diseases
Sometimes indoor succulents succulents are attacked by pests such as white aphids, small insects and tiny spiders.
Treatment: If your plant is infected with pests and insects, first gently clean the infected leaves and stems with a cotton cloth moistened with water and mild soap or alcohol so that the insects and pests are destroyed and do not spread to other plants. If this does not work, prepare the special poison for that pest and use it according to its instructions.
Caring for Succulents: Common Problems With Succulents
After a description of care for succulents, we will explain the problems and their solutions:
Why Are Succulent Leaves Turning Yellow?
As “leaves turning yellow” is one of the common problems that you may face when you want to care for succulents, we tried to describe the reasons and the ways to solve it in details.
The most important reason for succulent leaves to turn yellow is overwatering. If the lower leaves turn yellow, are soft and crushed, and fall off easily, it is a sign of overwatering. can also cause succulent leaves to turn yellow. A plant that receives little water starts consuming the water stored in the leaves, and because of this, the fleshy and hard state of the leaves is lost and they become soft, thin and yellow.
Why are succulents’ leaves turning brown?
Sometimes the leaves of our succulent may turn brown or develop dark spots on it. This is because the leaves are damaged by sunlight or sunburn. If our plant is exposed to too much direct sunlight or is suddenly transferred from the shade to direct sunlight, it will suffer from sunburn and as a result, its leaves will turn brown.
Since “leaves turning brown” is another common problem that you may face when you want to care for succulents, we tried to describe the reasons and the ways to solve it in details.
Why are Succulents leaves dropping?
Overwatering can cause succulent leaves to fall. Too much water causes the succulent leaves to swell, soften, and loosen, causing them to fall off easily. Also, if the plant faces extreme heat or severe dehydration, it starts to drop its leaves in order to manage its limited energy and keep itself alive. Another reason for succulent leaves to fall is long-term storage in low light. A plant that receives little light cannot supply the necessary energy to all its parts, as a result, it starts to drop its leaves and shrink itself.
Why do succulents die suddenly?
Overwatering is the most important cause of succulent death. These plants are more tolerant of lack of water than overwatering, but you should note that they still need water and dehydration is also dangerous for them. Most indoor succulents succulents need water when their soil is dry.
Do indoor succulents attract bugs or animals?
No. Normally, a healthy succulent will not attract insects or animals unless it has received a lot of water and is not a healthy plant. A combination of diseased succulents and overly wet soil can be a great attractant for insects and pests such as mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and blackflies. These insects know how to speed up the disease and death of the plant.
Why is my succulent growing crooked?
The reason for this is improper lighting. One of the signs of this is the uneven growth of the plant. A plant that receives little light, in addition to falling leaves, tries to move towards the light and grow. In this case, one side of the plant, which is the side of the light source, will grow more so that it can be closer to the light source, and the other side will grow less.
Infographic Of How To Care For Succulents
In this article, we tried to explain to you in an infographic the essential tips in the care of succulents, so that you can briefly and usefully learn the methods of caring for this plant.
In The End
In this article, we tried to provide you with the necessary information about the methods of caring for a succulent.
However, if you have any questions regarding this indoor plant or you need to get advice from our houseplant experts, please share your questions with us through the comments section below.
