All About Succulents! Table of Contents Introduction 3 What are Succulents? 4 Watering Succulents 4 Best Soil for Succulents 7 Best Containers for Succulents 8 Containers with Drainage Holes are Best 8 The How-Tos of Watering 9 Detecting Signs of Stress In Succulent Plants 12 6 Easy To Grow Indoor Succulents 14 Lighting 16 Propagating Succulents 17 How To Propagate From A Succulent Leaf 17 Best Options for Leaf Propagation 18 Ideal Temperatures for Your Succulent Plants 19 Fertilizing Succulents 19 General Care of Succulents 20 Pests and Other Problems 21 Summary 22 Introduction Have you routinely heard that succulents are easy to care for, yet whenever you have one, it dies? Or perhaps you have a green thumb with all other plants and want to add succulents to your plant collage. Whatever your succulent story, we are here to help! All About Succulents is going to share with you the important basics of succulent care and the differences among plants in this quick, comprehensive guide. What are Succulents? Succulents are plants that can survive in an environment with limited water resources. The word succulent is derived from sucus, a Latin term meaning sap or juice. If you have ever noticed, succulents have fleshy thick leaves and/or stems. This is where they store water, enabling them to survive arid areas. Many people use the terms cacti and succulent interchangeably but they are not the same. The cactus is a succulent plant, but not all succulent plants are cacti. There are many varieties of succulent plants that offer unusual colors, shapes and textures, making them a great choice if you are looking to expand your variety of houseplants and adding to your decor. As with any plant, succulents require proper soil for nutrients, water and sunlight. The assortment of succulents range in size, color, shape and more; some of which require more attention than others. Here we will review the basics of caring for succulents indoors. So, whether you are a first-time succulent owner or already have a few plants but have begun encountering some issues with your plants, we will cover it here! Watering Succulents Perhaps one of the most challenging parts of properly caring for succulents is knowing how much water is needed. This, in fact, is often where people encounter issues with succulents, from overwatering to underwatering. Succulents hold water in their leaves, stems or roots as a means of reserving it for a drought, so daily watering is not necessary. However, they do still require water, and this is the part that can become tricky. Because succulents are able to retain water in their various parts, overwatering can result in the plants absorbing too much water and leading to rot. If this occurs, unless the rot is detected very early, the plants usually die as there is little that can be done once the rot begins. On the other hand, succulents are also frequently underwatered due to the misunderstanding that they do not need much water. Thus, the common understanding that succulents don’t require much attention is not exactly true. There is a wide variety of succulents, some of which are much easier to care for than others. Proper watering of succulents is dependent on the plant as well as the soil and container it is planted in. If you have succulents planted directly in the ground, the care will be quite similar as well. Containers and Soil The watering techniques are determined by the type of soil and container succulents are planted because some retain water more so than others. Store Bought Succulents Let’s consider for a moment the succulents that are available at the big box chain stores. Perhaps you have even purchased a few. No doubt you have been awed by the beautiful combinations of the plants that are carefully placed in an accent container. Some contain single succulent plants while others have three to five different types, each accenting the other. Upon seeing the beautiful arrangements you decide to purchase it for your home; only to find within a few weeks that the plant is no longer healthy looking and eventually dies. This scenario has occurred for many of us and can result in frustration at the very least. Regardless of any challenges you may have with a green thumb, the demise of these plants is not likely your fault. These pre-planted succulent arrangements are typically sitting in a standard mixture of potting soil that have a small amount of perlite or pumice. Succulents fare best in soils that allow oxygen to flow to the roots, and unfortunately, those that are planted in the basic soil quickly become overly saturated with both water and nutrients, so try to avoid these. If you do have succulents planted in this soil, plan to repot as soon as possible and remove as much of the potting soil from the roots as you can. The richness of this soil is not the best environment for succulents. Best Soil for Succulents Succulents require a soil that allows for airflow around the roots of the plant, as well as good drainage that will help alleviate the issues of over saturation. The best soil for succulents will consist of a mixture of large particles such as crushed granite, pine bark fines and turface, all of which promote the airflow, allowing breathing room for the roots. Ultimately, there are as many soil mixtures for succulents as there are for any other plants and as you learn more about succulents you will find your favorite. The reason we mentioned the three above ingredients is because the combination of them typically work well for most all succulents. Turface: A fired clay that has the ability to retain some nutrients while also promoting drainage. Pine Bark Fines: A form of mulch made from the bark of Southern pines. The texture promotes water flow and the it provides protection for plants. Granite: This helps prevent the soil from compacting which is important since succulents need optimum airflow. You can create your own soil mix by combining equal parts of these three components and planting your succulents. While store bought soils for succulents are widely available, many of them still contain an overabundance of standard potting soil. However, if you do opt to use the store bought mixtures, either the cactus or succulent and plan on adding additional perlite. Also because of the heavier soil in these mixtures, airflow in the root system will be reduced so be sure to keep regular check on the soil moisture to prevent over watering. Best Containers for Succulents As we have previously mentioned, good water flow and drainage is crucial to having healthy succulents and for that reason, it is best to avoid pots without drainage holes. While it is not impossible to have healthy plants in these types of containers, it is more difficult, and best left for those who have lots of experience growing succulents. Containers with Drainage Holes are Best Containers with one or more drainage holes allow air into the soil from the bottom of the container and will also prevent the soil from remaining wet for long periods of time. Most all of the terra cotta pots come equipped with drainage holes making them a great choice for planting succulents. Other decorative containers, including those made of porcelain or ceramic can be drilled, adding your own drainage holes, since many of them do not come pre-drilled. If you desire something easy and convenient, yet decorative too; then perhaps the best option is to select a terra cotta pot with a pre-existing drainage hole and placing it into a decorative container of your choice. Each time you water the plant, simply remove it from the decorative pot, being sure to remove any standing water to prevent mold growth. Drilling a Drainage Hole Obviously some care needs to be taken when drilling a hole into a pot. The best way to drill a hole into a ceramic pot is with a diamond tipped drill bit; for plastic, resin or metal containers a series of holes can be created with a hammer and nail. Containers without Drainage Holes Many of the most beautiful pots do not have drainage holes and it would be understandable if you’re hesitant to create your own drainage holes. In this instance, there are a few things you could do so your succulent stays healthy. The key is to avoid standing water when drainage is not possible. You do have the option of adding gravel to the bottom of the pot which will help remove the moisture from the soil and promote better air flow, but a never ending moist environment will develop into mold growth or gnat infestation. When using an enclosed container do not saturate the soil as much and do not water as frequently. The skewer test may prove beneficial in this scenario for testing the soils moisture level. Pot Materials The materials that pots are made from can actually affect the health of a plant. Plastic is porous, therefore it can breathe to a degree and if no drainage holes are present, they can be added without a hassle. Plastic planters come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors and they are generally more cost efficient and lightweight compared to other materials. Ceramic and terracotta plants are ideal for succulents because both materials promote air flow and evaporation. The pots that are made from these substances are sometime painted or glazed, which interferes with the breathability of them, but overall succulents do well in them.