Are you looking for self-reliant plants that don’t demand much care? Succulents fit the bill, and this guide will show you how to grow them with ease.
Succulents are timeless plants with unique qualities you’ll discover as you read along. In this guide, you’ll also find simple tips to keep them healthy and happy.
What Are Succulents?
Succulents are more than just desk décor—they’re survival pros. Found in deserts, mountains, and even rocky coasts, they store water in leaves, stems, or roots, which helps them handle weeks without rain.
Unlike fast-growing houseplants, succulents play the long game. They may sit quietly for weeks, but with patience, you’ll notice fresh leaves—or even bursts of blooms.
Their variety is another charm. Some stand tall and spiky like Aloe, others form rosettes like Echeveria, and a few trail down like strings of beads. No matter your space, there’s a succulent that fits.
Their respiration is just as clever. While most plants open pores in daylight, succulents wait until night—a trick called CAM photosynthesis. By “working the night shift,” they conserve precious water.
Did You Know? Some succulents can live for decades, and a few, like Agave, bloom only once in their lifetime before producing pups and saying goodbye.
Propagation
Just as you share a part of food with your colleagues in the office, you can also ask for a part of a succulent from a friend or select any succulent variety from a nursery. If the nursery soil feels too dense or soggy, gently shake it off before planting.
Take your pot, place a mesh tape or screen over the drainage hole to prevent larger chunks of soil from falling out. Add succulent soil mix to half of your pot, then place your plant inside it. Cover it with soil, and then add a top dressing of pebbles, small stones, or gravel.
Tip: Always label your propagated leaves or cuttings if you’re growing different varieties. Many succulents look alike in their early stages, and labeling will save you confusion later.
1. Leaf Propagation
Gently twist and pull a healthy, mature leaf, let it callous in a bright, indirect light spot for 2-5 days until the cut end forms a scab. Place the calloused leaf on the surface of a well-draining succulent soil mix in a tray or container. Mist every few days, wait until the pups arrive, and then pot the babies in soil.
Don’t bury the leaf into the soil, as it may rot. Place it on top of the mix and let the roots find their way down naturally.
2. Stem Propagation
Take a healthy stem cutting with the help of sterilized scissors. Let it dry out, then plant it in succulent mix and water it sparingly.
If you’re rooting cuttings indoors, keep them in a spot with bright but indirect light to avoid sunburn before they establish roots.
3. Division
This process is for plants that produce small, rooted plantlets called pups or offsets, such as Aloe. Carefully pluck the pups and plant them in the container filled with soil. Water them lightly.
A good trick is to let the offsets dry for a day before replanting. This reduces the risk of rot at the cut site.
Pot Choices
Succulents thrive in containers with good drainage. Terracotta pots are a timeless favorite because they let the soil dry out quickly, while ceramic and plastic ones hold moisture a bit longer.
If you’re someone who forgets to water, ceramic or plastic pots may work better. But if you tend to overwater, stick to terracotta—it’s your safety net.
Pro Tip: Always make sure the inner pot is easy to remove for watering. This way, you can drain out excess water without risking root rot inside decorative containers.
1. Terracotta or Ceramic pots
They are breathable materials that work well in outdoor succulents. A collection of them in decorative ceramics would uplift the interiors. They are cumbersome, so if you grow these in a large pot, you will find it difficult to move them. The blooming Lithops Salicola would be a great fit.
2. Plastic hanging planters
A String of Pearls welcoming your guests sounds unusual, but the succulent vines in the hanging planters would literally give them a VVIP fairytale entrance. Plastic pots are as fragile as ceramic and are often a little lighter. Take care with them because they are not breathable like terracotta and could hold moisture for a long time.
3. Wood trays
A Driftwood planter or a tray filled with Agave, Sedum, and Hoya, or your favorite succulents, would look appealing on your windowsill and would make a perfect place to capture sunsets and views.
Wooden items require a little extra care, as moist soil can lead to the wood rotting. So, once a month, give your succulent tray a trip to your lawn to get sunlight so the wood planter remains dry and weathered all the time.
Requirements of Succulents
1. Soil
Succulents need well-draining soil. The soil mix should contain 2 parts coarse sand, 2 parts perlite or pumice, and 1 part potting soil. Please don’t add your regular potting mix, as it can lead to root rot.
If you’re unsure, buy a commercial “cactus and succulent mix,” which is specially formulated for their needs.
2. Water
The golden rule of watering succulents is soak and dry. Water thoroughly, then let the soil dry completely before watering again. Too much love (and water) is usually what kills them.
If the leaves look wrinkled, it’s a sign they’re thirsty. If they turn mushy, you’ve gone overboard.
3. Light
They need bright, indirect light for 6-8 hours, so place them at a south or east-facing window. When the succulents are outdoors, choose a location that receives ample sunlight.
Use grow lights if the natural light is limited to fulfill their light hunger. If your succulent starts stretching or looking leggy, it’s a sign it isn’t getting enough light. Rotate the pot every few days to keep growth even.
4. Temperature
They prefer warm temperatures and can be sensitive to cold, i.e., the temperature range is 45- 85°F. Keep them away from drafty windows, especially during the winter months.
Some cold-hardy varieties, such as Sempervivum and Sedum, can tolerate frost, but most indoor succulents won’t survive freezing temperatures.
5. Humidity Levels
Succulents thrive in low humidity levels, i.e., 40-50% but more than 60% will invite fungal gnats and root rots. Many succulents are from drought-tolerant regions and are adapted to dry areas, and high humidity could alter the water balance in plant cells, just as overwatering does.
To decrease the humidity level in your room, use a dehumidifier and ensure good ventilation around your plants.
Succulent Care
1. Fertilizer
Succulents don’t need much food, but a diluted, balanced fertilizer once in spring and summer helps boost growth. Skip the fertilizer during fall and winter—they prefer to rest then.
2. Pruning
Prune your plant using sterilized scissors or pruning shears to achieve the desired shape. Don’t be afraid of pruning; this process encourages the plant to produce new, healthy growth.
You can also propagate the cuttings from pruning, giving you new plants without spending extra.
3. Pests and Diseases
Mealybugs: Look like white cotton. Dab with alcohol or spray diluted alcohol solution.
Aphids: Small, soft-bodied bugs. Blast with water, neem oil, or soapy spray. Outdoors, ladybugs may handle them for you.
Succulents are forgiving for first-time gardeners, and following this guide will make it easy. Plant them without fear, and they will reward you with a green thumb. We are eager to hear about your succulent growth. Could you tell us in the comments?
