Succulents are pleasing to the eye and super trendy, so it’s no surprise that they’re currently some of the most-sought after houseplants. Plus, with a seemingly endless number of varieties, they’re fun to collect and also very affordable. If you’re thinking about modernizing your home or office decor with a few succulents, then take a look at this simple guide to indoor succulent care from the experts at Currans Flowers in Danvers.
What Makes Succulents Different from Other Plants?
Unlike most plants that have papery leaves, succulent leaves are thick and rubbery because they’re specialized to store water. Succulents store water in their leaves, roots, and stems, which is how they got the name “succulent” which means moist.
Succulents are different from the more common tropical foliage plants in our greenhouse in that they have amazing textures, interesting forms, and uniquely subtle colors. They require less-frequent maintenance, as well. Their blossoms are also more delicate than more popular blooming plants.
Benefits of Growing Indoor Succulents
Like other living plants, succulents create a calm atmosphere that improves focus, energy, and productivity. They’re also a healthy choice of decoration, as they naturally purify the air and replenish the oxygen. Succulent roots gently pump air toward their roots. When toxins, like harmful VOCs, reach the soil, they transform them into nutrients, effectively eradicating indoor air pollution.
Popular Succulent Varieties
Sempervivum Royanum
Just called royanums for short, these beauties bloom in a strong rosette pattern and feature leaf segments of vibrant green with pointed, fuchsia tips. Potted in an arrangement featuring orchids with coordinated blooms, these succulents are naturally stunning.
Succulent – Sempervivum Royanum
Jade Plant
Jade plants are one of the most popular types of succulents. Young jades resemble miniature trees and are the perfect addition to a succulent garden, as they add a bit of height and dimension. Jades, however, are long-lasting, and with enough time they can grow to be about three feet tall. These plants are hardy and tend to be passed down generation to generation in families.
Jade Plant
Echeveria
Echeveria succulents are some of the most commonly seen in succulent gardens and greenhouses. They have starburst-shaped silhouettes and grow with leaves of different colors including shades of pink, green, red, and black. Their leaf shapes also vary with a range of pointed to round, tubular to stick-like, and smooth to crinkled varieties.
If you receive an echeveria in a floral arrangement, simply plant the succulent in soil after the flowers are spent. Then sit back, and wait for it to root and grow.
Succulents – Echeveria
How to Care for Indoor Succulents
We grow succulents, from tiny plugs, in our greenhouses. When you take one home, it should be potted in a container that drains easily with soil that’s formulated for cacti or succulents. Succulents need lots of sunlight, so you should place it in a well-lit area to prevent it from stretching out and growing into a leggy plant. Only water your succulent when its soil becomes completely dry. Apply water directly to the soil and soak it through. Be sure to allow the pot to drain to prevent a succulent from sitting in standing water, as this will harm its health.
Love Boat
Over-watering is the most common reason succulents don’t survive. Yellow or brown leaves can indicate a plant that’s stressed from too much water. They can also indicate a thirsty plant. Check your soil, and contact at expert at Currans Flowers for help.
