Posted: July 30, 2021
Here are some tips to keep your succulents healthy and looking their best.
Two Echeveria (species unknown) and a Crassus capitella ‘Thyrsiflora’ (the whorled red-tipped one).
Most house plant aficionados and gardeners in general are familiar with succulents. They come in all shapes and sizes and even if you don't know what they are; you've probably seen them on the pages of your favorite design magazines or websites. Some brides are even choosing to have succulents featured in their wedding bouquets! They're super popular right now and rightfully so because of their unique looks and versatility. There are over 60 categories of succulents - from giant desert varieties to tiny alpine miniatures. This means you're bound to find at least one that appeals to you. But they don't always make the best houseplants. Here are some tips to help keep yours healthy and looking their best.
Typically native to arid climates with sandy soils, succulents need soil that drains quickly. This means regular potting soil or dirt from your yard is not the best. Choose a cactus soil from the garden center or mix regular potting soil with grit, pumice, or perlite to keep your succulents healthy. And remember, succulent roots are very fragile, so take extra care when repotting them.
Succulents in general require about six hours of sunlight per day. The hues of some varieties will intensify in plentiful light, giving your indoor garden a burst of color. However, newly planted succulents can be scorched if put immediately into direct sunlight. You'll need to gradually introduce them to full sun and provide a bit of shade for a few weeks until they're fully acclimated. Also remember to rotate your succulents if they're growing on a windowsill. This will help them stand up straight and lessen the chance they'll topple over or become lopsided.
This plant group can be temperature sensitive. While some succulents, such as sedums, grow successfully outdoors year-round, many common varieties sold to the public are cold sensitive and need to stay indoors. Check the plant tag before buying a new succulent to learn its cold hardiness. When growing indoor varieties, put them in a place where air-conditioning doesn't blow directly on them.
Succulents are unique in how they store and use their water supply and it's easy to overwater them if you're not sensitive to this. The goal of good succulent care is to mimic the natural environment in which they grow. Rather than adhering to a strict schedule of watering on a certain day each week, let your plants tell you when they need water.
With succulents, let the water dry out completely between watering. A good way to tell if the soil is completely dry is to insert a thin probe, such as a chop stick, into the soil all the way to the bottom of the pot. If the stick comes out dry, your succulent needs water. Drench them thoroughly until you see water draining out of the bottom of the pot. Planting succulents in pots without drainage holes is never a good idea as it can quickly lead to root rot.
Succulents are not generally bothered by insects. However, as with any houseplant; you need to keep an eye out for pests as they can quickly overrun your indoor garden. A common insect new growers encounter are gnats. These are generally a problem only if the soil is kept too moist. Another insect that shows up with some frequency on succulents is the mealy bug. These nasty little white guys attach to succulents with all their might. They look like a white cottony substance and first prey on the new growth. Left unchecked, mealybugs will discolor your succulents and result in misshapen growth. If you spy them, try spraying your succulent with rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol), then pour a bit of it over the soil to kill any eggs they may have laid there.
Succulents also need to be kept dust-free. Even a light coating of dust can affect their ability to absorb sunlight. Simply wipe off the leaves and spines gently with a damp cloth or soft paintbrush.
Lastly, fertilize your succulents sparingly, if at all. Applied too often or at the wrong concentration, fertilizer can make your succulents leggy and weak. The best time to fertilize is during the spring and summer growing months. Your succulents will not need fertilizing during winter.
The great thing about succulents is they'll look good for at least a few weeks even if you're a chronic "plant killer." So, give them a try. With the proper care, you'll get a lifetime of enjoyment from these unique beauties and probably end up with offshoots you can share with friends!
Linda Spellman is a Penn State Master Gardener from Adams County. Penn State Cooperative Extension of Adams County is located at 670 Old Harrisburg Road, Suite 204, Gettysburg, phone 334-6271.
Hotline: Although Master Gardeners are not in the office, we are still available for gardening questions. Master Gardener Hotline is open April through September, on Mondays and Fridays from 10am - 2pm. Please send an email (with pictures if possible) to adamsmg@psu.edu with your gardening questions.
