If you are a plant lover, it is hard that you are not familiar with a variety of amazing succulent plants and their otherworldly appearance. On the other hand, if you have just discovered a passion for the living things that grow the chances are that you have already encountered the various representatives of this juicy plant family only you did not know how they are called. Whatever the case might be, we believe that you have been mesmerized by their looks and you are probably considering growing some succulents on your own. Therefore, we will try to answer your wanderings and solve the enigma of whether succulents are easy to maintain or not.
If you are looking to decorate your living room with a particular succulent plant or you think of combining several kinds to create a unique indoor garden that you have made the right choice. Succulents are ideal for indoor keeping and depending on the weather conditions and the time of the year, they can be grown in the open. Surely, you cannot expect your succulent garden to flourish on its own, because it needs both your time and knowledge to reach its full potential. In the lines below you will be presented with several suggestions on how to properly treat your succulents and enjoy their beauty for longer than you would if you did not devote your attention to them.
Illumination
Succulents are the plants that enjoy the sun’s energy so they enjoy staying in an illuminated area. Therefore, if you keep them inside, try to secure they have as much light as possible. Depending on the climate, you can even keep them in an outdoor setting during spring and summertime, just make sure they are not directly exposed to the light source but rather periphrastically. As for the closed space, you can keep them near any window facing east or south, in order to enjoy the sunshine as long as it is available, especially in the winter. To be sure what particular sun treatment would be the most beneficial for your succulent plant, feel free to research the exact specimen.
Soil
Most of the succulents come from the areas where the soil is loose. That implies that it does not retain the rainfall or the water you provide for the plant to keep it hydrated, but it filters it rapidly instead. Therefore, what you should do when you prepare the ground for your succulent is to mix sand and regular potting soil in a 50/50 ratio. When you are done mixing and the newly formed mixture dilapidates when you squeeze it, you are on the right track and you can plant your succulent without second thoughts.
Flowerpots
Your succulent will enjoy any flowerpot you choose for it as long as it has the right type of soil inside and the drainage holes on the bottom. The point is that the plant gets rid of the surplus water and that cannot be done if the flowerpot is sealed. That is one of the most cherished features of succulent plants because you can choose whatever material you like and even pick different shapes and sizes to fit the rest of the setting you want to decorate. Therefore, if you have the right flowerpot but cannot decide on solely one succulent check this and find out about different variants that can enrich both your plant selection and your natural setting.
Watering
If you consider yourself to be a forgetful person, then the succulents are the right plants for you because you do not have to worry about frequent watering in order to secure the plant has everything it needs. The truth is that if you overwater a succulent plant the chances that you will drown it are major. Succulents need water like any other plant, but they are famous for keeping their water reserves both in their plump leaves and in their hollow roots. Therefore, the plant will show you that it needs water when its leaves change appearance from juicy and fresh to shrink. Even then you should inspect whether the soil is dry or the plant tries to warn you about different issues it might be experiencing. Another important thing to highlight about watering is to always empty the drainage saucer immediately after the soil drains out in order not to leave the plant in an unfavorable environment.
Fertilizer
Succulents are most active in spring and summer, while in winter they prefer to rest rather than show any noticeable activity. Reasonably, they prepare for the resting season in the fall. When it comes to fertilizing succulents, you should bear in mind that you can easily exaggerate if you do not pay attention, so overtreating your plant with more than it needs can bring any good neither to you nor to your succulent. Thus, forget about fertilizing your plant more than necessary in the winter or do not do it at all, because your succulent should have enough nutrients in reserve. Even when the plant is the most active you should not overreact but solely fertilize it four times during the spring and summer season. When it comes to the type of fertilizer you should use the same kind you use on your other plants but be careful with the amount and use only as much as half of the regular dosage. Surely, if you want to give your succulent the most suitable treatment for its kind, research it and act according to prechecked suggestions.
We are sure you are already thinking about growing some succulents on your own, especially after learning that they do not need that much care, particularly when compared to the décor and beauty they might enrich your space with. Hopefully, you will remember the aforementioned pieces of advice and grow your succulents in the most optimal fashion. That way, not only will you enjoy their presence, but they will pay you back with their incomparable shapes and looks. Although the succulents are not difficult to maintain they will most definitely give you more in return if you devote your time and thought to their growth.