Succulents are extremely popular right now and for good reason: they’re a fairly simple way to add some pops of green and life to your decor. Let’s go over how to properly grow and nourish container succulents.
- Choose a planter. Roots can thrive in a shallow, wide container.Just make sure your pot has good drainage, which might mean drilling holes in the bottom. Standing water in a container can kill a succulent.
- Use a quick-draining soil blend: The planting medium in these containers should be well-drained and not overly rich. For most succulents, add about 25 percent builder’s sand to ordinary potting soil. There’s no need for fertilizer. You can also make your own succulent potting soil. Blend equal parts regular potting soil, coarse sand, and perlite or pumice for an ideal mix.
- Choosing your plants: When selecting your succulents, be aware they might have varying light and care requirements. Check the plant tags for specifics, so you can group succulents with similar needs in a container and keep them alive, thriving and healthy!
- Add some accessories: Whether you want rocks, mirrors, broken pieces of glass or shells, now is the time to add your custom accessories to your container succulent.
- Plant the containers: Take the succulents out of their nursery pots, and place them back into your container one by one. Then, softly and carefully pack additional potting soil around each plant. Make sure to keep the soil at the same level as where the plants were growing in their nursery pots. Be sure to fill in all the spaces between the plants. If you leave air gaps, the roots might dry out and kill the plants.
How to care for your succulents
The good news is that caring for succulents is a fairly simple process. Succulents do require consistent moisture and full sun. Hardy succulents can be overwintered right in their containers as long as the soil doesn’t get soggy and they’re protected from drying winds.
Choosing your containers
- It’s an investment to obtain several of the same or similar containers, but echoing shapes and colors will enhance your outdoor living area. When your containers are in groups, they can really create a focal point. Succulents benefit from warmth radiated from the hardscape, and don’t drop much leaf litter, which is good if you are considering hanging your succulents near a swimming pool.
- You can also hang succulents in a “succulent cascade.” The long, dropping succulents look like a waterfall, hence the name cascade.
- Vertical planters are also a great way to showcase your succulents. These can be hung either inside or outside, whatever your preference is.
- Succulents can also be placed in different pots around your patio to create a nature vibe.
- Using bright and bold vases can really help small succulents pop and stand out.
- You can also mix textures when arranging your succulents.
