You don’t have green fingers, but you want to have some fresh and healthy plants in your home? Succulents are ideal for you! Below is a list of tips to help with the maintenance of succulent plants.
If there are several types, growing and caring for succulents is the same whatever the chosen variety!
1) Like You, Succulents Love It: A Place in the Sun
Succulents typically grow on the Mexican highlands or in the semi-desert of South Africa. In the dry and hot regions of the world, cacti and succulents can sometimes lack water, but never sun. Most varieties, therefore, prefer a warm location exposed to the sun, including indoors.
In summer, you can put your succulents on your balcony or terrace; they appreciate a little fresh air. The nightly drop in temperature significantly stimulates their flowering. But there are also some limitations. When temperatures drop below 15 °C, it is time to shelter your plants indoors.
2) How to Water Succulents and How Often?
Succulent plants store water, which they convert into a liquid in their fleshy parts. This creates reserves for the plant’s survival. Let’s not forget that they are subject to harsh climatic conditions in their countries of origin. Watering is, therefore, an important step to allow them to flourish over time. During the winter, water them once a month. This will depend on the temperature and humidity level of the room where they are located, as well as the species you have.
In any case, succulents are resistant: they adapt and survive well in most cases. You can add fertilizer during the summer, but do not overdo it. Once a month seems sufficient to see the plant in good shape. This is not necessary if you repot the plant regularly.
3) Repotting
For the succulents to continue to grow, they must be repotted once a year in a larger pot. This way, the roots will not be cramped.
4)Pruning
Succulent plants sometimes also need to be “pruned”, or to be relieved of some parts that are a little “dead”. Do not hesitate to cut a branch that would become too invasive or unsightly. Some parts die with time, the sun’s rays, thirst, etc. You can remove these. In most cases, if the part is “finished” it will simply fall.
5) What If Your Succulent Turns Black?
When the succulents have an excess of humidity, it happens that the plant becomes black. You must stop watering the plant until it dries out. Be careful, however, as excess moisture is generally fatal for succulents.
6) Frequent Rotation
Succulents like direct sunlight, but if yours is in the same place day after day, only one side probably gets enough light. That’s why it’s good to rotate the plant often. Succulents bend towards the sun, so turning them will help them stand upright (bending can also be a sign that they need to be in a sunnier spot).
7) Get Rid of Insects
Pests shouldn’t be a problem for houseplants, but you may have to deal with insects from time to time. Midges are attracted to succulent plants that are planted in soil that is too wet and not adequately drained. To get rid of eggs and larvae, spray the ground with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Mealybugs are another pest that owners of succulent plants have to deal with. Over-watering and over-fertilization are the most common causes of mealybugs. Keep infected plants away from other succulent plants and spray them with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
Let us know if these few tips have helped you and share yours in the comments below!
