Caring For Succulents: The Definitive Guide
Succulents are one of the most popular indoor house plants due to their diminutive size and cute appeal. They’re also one of the most low-maintenance indoor plants, making them incredibly beginner-friendly. Caring for succulents is easy but despite their modest care requirements, yous till need to give them some educated love and affection. Once you’ve mastered the art of keeping succulents alive you’ll be ready to take on more needy houseplants.
How to Care For Your Succulents – 8 Easy Tips & Tricks
However, if you’re entirely new to taking care of indoor plants, you may feel hesitant about keeping them alive. The good news is that it’s pretty easy to care for succulents, which means you’ll have no problem helping it flourish under your watchful eye. Here are eight tips to keep in mind for keeping your succulents healthy:
Give Your Succulents Sunlight Every Day
Like other plants, succulents need adequate sunlight to flourish. As an especially light-loving plant, they need six hours of sun time, though this depends on the type of succulents you have. However, a newly planted succulent may burn in direct sunlight, so be sure to introduce it to total sun exposure gradually or shield it with a sheer curtain.
Rotate Your Succulents Regularly
While succulents need a lot of sunlight, it isn’t enough to put them in the same spot each day. Otherwise, only one part of your succulent will get the light it needs. To prevent this, rotate your plant often. You’ll know your succulent isn’t getting an even amount of sunlight when it leans one way, but turning it will encourage it to stand up straight eventually. A leaning succulent may also indicate that it needs more sun.
Water Them More Often During the Spring and Summer
Plants thrive in the spring and summer, which means they drink much more water than during the fall and winter. However, be sure not to overwater your plant, which can kill it. To determine if it is time to water your succulent, check the top 1.25 inches of your soil. If it is dry, water your succulent, and don’t hesitate to give it a bit more during the warmer months.
Water the Soil Instead of the Plant
Many novice green thumbs make the mistake of watering the plant itself instead of the soil. However, you should be soaking the soil until the water starts leaking out of the drainage holes. If your container doesn’t have drainage holes, then be sure to use less water.
Clean Your Succulents
Even though your succulent is indoors, that doesn’t mean it can’t accumulate dirt and dust. Be sure to clean your plant often by wiping the leaves and spines gently with a damp cloth. You can use a soft paintbrush to take the dust out of the plant’s nooks and crannies.
Put Them in a Container With Drainage
Succulents don’t like to sit in soggy soil, so it’s crucial to ensure the water can spill out of the pot to prevent the plant from rotting. Choose a container with a drainage hole to allow the excess water to flow out, like terracotta pots.
Choose the Right Soil for your Succulent
Not all soil is created equal, and your succulent requires cactus soil or mix potting soil with pumice, sand, or perlite. Taking dirt from your lawn won’t help your succulent grow and cause the opposite to happen, so to ensure the highest chances of your plant’s survival, be sure to pot it in suitable soil.
Fertilize Your Succulent During the Summer
While succulents are generally low-maintenance, they would appreciate extra fertilizer during the spring and summer months. However, moderation is key, so do not put too much fertilizer. Otherwise, your succulents will grow too fast and become weak, eventually wilting.
Succulents are one of the easiest indoor plants to start with, making them an excellent fit for beginners. By following these tips, you’ll have a thriving succulent that will keep you company for many years to come.
Houseplant Advisor helps you make the right decision for your indoor plants by providing you with simple, easy-to-understand guides that will make you a plant expert in no time. Our goal is to cut through the jargon and help you take great care of each house plant. Check out our other guides today!
