How To Care For Succulents: A Basic Guide For Keeping Your Succulents Alive
A Basic Guide For Keeping Your Succulents Alive
Sun
Succulents love sunshine! Some varieties like echeveria and cactus are better at tolerating direct sun than more sensitive succulents like haworthias. Either way they need lots and lots of light.
Indirect light is a great way to let non-sun hardy varieties of succulents soak up some rays. Placing them in a bright spot close to or on a window sill where they can get a least 5 hours of brighter light will help prevent stretching (etiolation). If the window gets intense afternoon sun, filtering the light with a sheer curtain will protect it from sun scorch while providing ample light
If you have a sun hardy succulent, choosing a spot with plenty of sun will help it thrive. It's also important to provide shade during times when sun exposure is intense.
Water
Succulents need water, but HATE soggy soil! When watering your succ, give it enough water so the soil is thorough moistened. Allow any excess water to complete drain away. When succulents sit in water or overly wet soil for extended periods of time, root rot is usually just around the corner.
Think desert. Succulents generally grow in arid environments, places that experience times of drought or low moister. In their natural environment, they take advantage of rainfall, dew or whatever water source they have available and store it in their leaves to use when water is scarce. They don't get a chance sit in soggy soil so their root system isn't suited for these conditions. Trying to recreate this when caring for your succulents will help prevent root rot.
They are so many ways to care for succulents- they're such versatile plants. These are just a few basic things I do that've worked really for me. Leave me a comment and let me know if these tips are helpful or if you have any questions. How do you care for your succs? Leave me a comment and let me know- I love hearing how other plant people.