Do you think succulents get lazy, just like you, in winter? These brave little plants bring color and joy with their flowers.
Succulents are plants with thick, juicy leaves that store water. Some of them come from places where winters are mild. They enjoy cool weather and bright sunlight, making winters their favorite season to flower. Read the article to see the succulents that will adorn your home this festive season.
Winter Blooming Succulents
1. Christmas Cactus
Botanical Name: Schlumbergera bridgesii
The most popular and everyone’s favorite has to be at the top. The unique and festive charm of the Christmas Cactus flowers will make your home welcoming. They bloom in pink, red, white, purple, and orange from late November to January. Keep them in 12-14 hours of uninterrupted darkness for 6-8 weeks to trigger bud formation.
2. Kalanchoe
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
The flowers of the Kalanchoe are showy and come in scarlet, pink, salmon, or yellow colors. It has scallop-edged leaves and large umbels of flower clusters held above the foliage for weeks. Their blooming time is from late winter to early spring. You can trigger them to bloom at any time by giving them 14 hours of total darkness daily for 6-8 weeks to simulate winter conditions.
3. Jade Plant
Botanical Name: Crassula Ovata
It is hard to see them bloom, but if your home is dry, there’s a chance of seeing white or pink flowers on the jade. They have smooth, rounded, glossy, egg-shaped leaves that are borne in opposite pairs. The clusters of small, star-shaped flowers are produced in response to long nights. They typically bloom from December to March.
4. Thanksgiving Cactus
Botanical Name: Schlumbergera truncata
They are also known as Crab cactus, False Christmas cactus. They have pointed, sharp teeth or lobes (crab-like), which are T-shaped segments. The flowers are in brighter colors, like red, face outward/up, and bloom in November or December. An east-facing window is an ideal place to keep them, but a shaded southern or western window works as well.
5. String of Pearls
Botanical Name: Senecio rowleyanus
A famous trailing plant for hanging baskets or shelves is native to South Africa and blooms in white with cinnamon or clove scent. They typically bloom in late winter to summer, when they are given proper light and watered when the soil is dry between watering to encourage dormancy.
6. Old Lady Cactus
Botanical Name: Mammillaria hahniana
They are easy to grow, featuring a cluster of small, spherical stems with a ring of lavender-like flowers. They are native to central Mexico. These flowering succulents have a round shape with a fuzz-like texture. Why is it called old? It’s because of the soft, shaggy layer of fuzzy, white coat. They typically bloom in late winter to spring.
Succulents are low-maintenance plants, yet they give the most beautiful blooms in winter. Which one will you select to decorate your home from the list? Tell us in the comments.
