It’s no surprise that succulents have become some of the most sought-after houseplants. They’re on-trend, affordable, and super low-maintenance. Plus, there’s an almost endless variety of succulents, which makes them really fun to collect. If you’re thinking about adding succulents to your home or office’s look, take a minute to read this quick guide to succulent care from the experts at Gainan’s Flowers.
What Makes Succulents Different from Other Plants?
Unlike most green plants that sprout paper-thin leaves, succulents grow thick, rubbery spines, leaves, or segments. The reason they look so different from other plants is that they’re designed specially to store water in their leaves, stems, and roots. That’s where they get the name succulent, which is just another word for moist.
Why It’s Smart to Grow Succulents Inside
Succulents will help you create a calm, happy environment in your interior spaces that promotes concentration and productivity. They’re also really good for the air. Succulent roots create a gentle pumping action that pulls air toward the soil. When toxins, like VOCs, reach their roots, they transform them into nutrients, effectively clearing indoor air pollution. While they purify the air, they also emit oxygen, replenishing the air.
Popular Succulent Varieties
There’s a wide variety of succulents available, and they’re all fun to use in succulent gardens, floral arrangements, and even corsages and boutonnieres. It’s tough to choose a favorite succulent, but the following are some of the most popular types.
Echeveria
Echeveria can be spotted in just about every greenhouse and succulent garden out there. They grow into plants with starburst-shaped silhouettes and different varieties of echeveria are different colors and have differently shaped leaves. Colors include shades of green, pink, red, and black. Leaves range in shape from round to pointed, tubular to stick-like, and crinkled to smooth.
Sedums
There are also a wide variety of sedum succulents available. They grow fairly fast and spread out, which makes them wonderful for creating ground cover or fullness in a succulent garden. Some sedums grow into small rosettes, while others have thick columns of leaves that will either spire upward or hang over the side of a pot.
Kalanchoe
Arguably the most cheerful of all succulents, kalanchoe plants have lush, paddle-shaped leaves in deep green and feature clusters of small brightly blooming flowers. When properly cared for, kalanchoes will bloom from autumn until spring in vibrant shades of red, pink, yellow, orange, and white.
How to Care for Indoor Succulents
First, pot your succulents with a low-nutrient soil formulated for cacti and succulents inside a pot that drains easily. Give them a warm, sunny perch in your home or office, where they will receive lots of direct sunlight, while not being too exposed to frosty windows or drafts. Once that’s done, it’s best to mostly leave your succulents alone. They thrive on neglect and don’t like to be overly pruned or over watered. Remove dead leaves and debris, if you notice any to prevent bacterial growth. Only water when the soil has dried completely. Wet soil thoroughly and make sure it drains completely.
If a succulent’s leaves start turning brown or yellow, this is a sign that the plant is in distress. Typically, this happens when a succulent receives too much water, but it can also indicate a thirsty plant. Check the soil and contact a professional at Gainan’s Flowers for more advice.
