Oops! The ‘Scoop forgot Succulent Care! Tis the Season of darling decorative containers. They make adorable gifts for those hosting parties, that awesome neighbor, your kids’ teacher and yourself!
Photo by Lizzie Danich
How to CARE for your succulent, not KILL it. First, don’t overwater it! The fastest way to kill a succulent is to love it too much.
NOTE: most of these adorable containers do not have drainage holes, instead the soil they’re planted in is a very light mix and the pebbles on top aren’t just decorative but lend some help in preventing overwatering.
That said, it is best if your container has drainage holes. During our winters (low light conditions) succulents only need enough water to prevent shrinking and withering. Okay, what does THAT mean? It means that they are actually in a dormant state (not actively growing) and only need to be watered about once a month from November to March. Throughout spring and summer, succulents take up more water. That may mean watering about once a week. BUT, let your succulent dry out completely before you give it a drink.
This succulent garden has drainage holes!
Larger containers need even less water during the winter months as they have more soil which holds moisture longer.
This is the type I drowned – do as I say, not as I did!
As for light, they like it! Even in our low light winters and their dormant state, light is their friend as much as ours! A bright, sunny window is their favorite place, but artificial light works too. The University of Minnesota Extension suggests a cool white fluorescent tube or a combination of daylight and natural white fluorescent tubes will give good results. Position the lights 6 to 12 inches above the plants and keep them on for 14 to 16 hours a day. Don’t use incandescent light, it’s too hot.
You can fertilize your succulents if you wish but only once or twice a year and only during their growing season. Use half strength houseplant food that is higher in phosphorus than nitrogen.
Some people like to group their succulents and cacti together. This only works if the plants have the same needs. Cacti need even less water than succulents.
May your succulents not suck,
