I just love succulents! I have become a little obsessed with them! They are so unique and gorgeous. I wanted to share some tips on how to care for succulent plants. Let me first say I am not a botanist. Actually, I am the furthest thing from that. 😉 However, by following these tips I have happy succulents.
Soil
- First you want to use Fast Draining Soil. Do not use regular potting soil. I used Cactus, Palm and Citrus Potting Mix.
Planter
- Next you want to use a planter that has a hole in the bottom for drainage. Drainage is important with succulents. Sitting in water will probably send your plant to an early death. You can drill your own hole in a mug or planter by following my instructions here. I did a post on a DIY Succulent Mug.
Water
- Do not over water! This is the number one reason succulents die. Succulents are in the cactus family. Get it? They store water in their fleshy leaves, stems and roots. So they need less water then a typical house plant. Also, they prefer rain water or distilled water. But rain water is best. I usually wait until the soil becomes almost completely dry before watering. When you water your plant, water until you start seeing it run out of the bottom of the pot. After a few minutes you will want to pour out the water that is in the saucer. It is not good for the succulent to sit in the water that has been drained. During the spring and summer they tend to go through a growing period. So you will need to watch your plant and adjust watering times.
Sunlight
- Succulents do not need direct sunlight. Indirect is the best. But they do like bright areas. I will sometimes take my plants outside on a nice day and let them get fresh air. If your plant is in a window, you can open the window too.
Are you in love with these planters as much as me? White Hobnail is so my thing! Well, I am sharing where you can your own here.
By following these instructions, you should have yourself a happy succulent. And if your plant dies, don’t give up. Try another one. These things are just too pretty not to have in your home. 😉
xoxo,
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Thanks! I have recently gotten some little baby succulents that I am trying to keep alive. Hopefully they will make it!
Anastasia,
You are so welcome! Succulents are the best. 😉 Good luck!
Hello! I recently received some succulents as a gift. Since I didn’t speak to the plan owner directly, I’m not sure the best way to care for them is so this helped a lot! I was wondering the names of these too you have. I have a jade plant and another one (the same one in these pictures I don know the nam of?) in the same pot and I’m wondering if I should repot them! Thanks (:
I missed where you can purchase those beautiful white containers your succulents are in. Would love to know and thank you for your great advise on how not to kill my succulent friends.
Thank you so much for the info….I’m not bragging but I have always liked plants and everyone has always said that I have a “green thumb” but I didn’t have succulents until this past November when my daughter bought me a beautiful pot with four assorted succulents arranged in it and I placed it in my kitchen window that my husband has built me shelves for all of my other small plants that gets the indirect light…perfect for my succulents that I didn’t have a clue ( with the exceptance of knowing not too much water) of how take care of them. But.so far, so good and I love them. Again, thank you so much for the info.
How does this work in Arizona? mine die and then I go buy more. They are not CHEAP! I do what you have suggested but they don’t like the heat
Just keep them inside and forget the outside. Mine prefer the inside as well. Also, don’t put them in or near a really sunny type window. 🙂
try ebay. I bought 20 in small pots for not too much. as of now they have all survived and some have “offspring”.
Mine keep loosing their leaves at the sliest touch, don’t know what I’m doing wrong. Also some of them are getting to tall and unruly. Their out of control. Do I prune them ? if so how.?
Hi Julie, How often are you watering them? Maybe try cutting down the times you water them. 🙂