Caring for a lush plant indoors is a little different than raise other houseplant .
Brie Passano
Compared to tropical houseplants , succulents are relatively loose to care for and much less demanding about water and humidness levels . However , evenlow - alimony succulentshave their the like and dislikes , and ensuring these plants receive the right balance of light , moisture , and caution is essential for their growth . From planting to propagation , these simple tips cover everything you need to have sex about grow succulent indoors .
Credit:Brie Passano
1. Choose the Right Pot
succulent do n’t ask much space , and you could keep several humble succulent together in a single pot or dish garden . choose Mary Jane with drain holes , or be inclined to drill your own drain yap in any container you select for succulent . Small terra - cotta pots with drainage hole work especially well for these works , but you’re able to also upcycle chip off teapot , mismatched bowl , andother creative containersinto DIY succulent planters .
2. Select a Well-Draining Substrate
Choosing a well - drain slew is key topreventing ancestor rotin succulents , but these plants also need well - drain soil to grow well . Most garden centers sell succulent or cactus potting mix blends . you could also make DIY succulent stain by adding 50 % pumice , perlite , or coarse - grained sand to 50 % standard potting mixture .
3. Provide Plenty of Sun
Some succulents like more sun than others , but most succulents grow upright inbright , indirect Inner Light . humble - light-colored condition can make these plants to become leggy , while too much direct sun can blacken the leaves of sun - sensitive plant life . If your home does n’t invite much natural Light Within , add a grow lightto your setup or look for succulent variety that tolerate humbled brightness , such assnake plantsorZZ plant .
4. Water Sparingly
Overwatering is theleading causa of succulent plant problem , so it ’s super important to get watering docket veracious with these industrial plant . Most succulent should only be watered gently about once every two weeks in summertime and even less frequently in wintertime . It ’s a good mind to withhold watering if you ’re not certain your industrial plant necessitate it . To boost deeper root development , water supply succulents straight off at the dirt lineand do n’t irrigate them again until the soil feels wry .
succulent are naturally drought - tolerant and shop water system in their sarcoid stem and leaves . However , if your succulent look wrinkly , they may need more H2O .
5. Fertilize in Spring and Summer
succulent are n’t heavy feeder . They should only be fertilized softly during spring and summer with a monthly dose of constituent liquid houseplant , or succulent plant food cut to half metier . When fall come , kibosh fertilizing your plants and only re-start a monthly fertilizer regimen when the days are longer in bounce . bring home the bacon succulents with too much fertilizer can make these plants to grow too quickly and develop ungainly bow that are prostrate to breaking .
6. Rotate Pots Regularly
Like other industrial plant , succulents naturally grow toward the sun . They can develop stretched - out or bent stems if their quite a little are n’t rotated regularly . Rotating your succulent quite a little about a quartern round every time you water should keep the plants acquire straight and tall . However , if you ’ve forgotten to revolve your succulent for a while , you canfix leggy succulentswith propagation or by lend a little bamboo industrial plant support .
7. Repot as Needed
In the wild , succulents of course develop in group , and cultivated plant do n’t mind growing in relatively sozzled quarter . They do n’t need to be repot often . However , ifyour succulent have outgrow their potsor it ’s becoming hard to irrigate them , repot the plants into well - draining containers slightly heavy than the existing mess . After repotting , sprinkle sand or small-scale pieces of gravel over the dirt line to insure the succulent .
8. Try Propagation
If your succulent plants are long-shanked or you want to create more succulents for your collection , trypropagating your plantsfrom stem or leaf cuttings . Many type of succulents can be propagated using dirt or piddle propagation method in just a few week . If you ’re new to found propagation , start with easy - to - broadcast succulent , likejade plantsandaloes .
9. Watch for Pests
succulent are n’t as prone to pestis as many tropic houseplant , but they can still explicate topic withspider tinge , mealybug , and other pests from time to clip . If you see any of thesepests on your succulents , isolate the affect plants and spot - treat them with a cotton mop dipped in rub alcoholic drink . For more broad pestilence problems , lend oneself organic insecticidal soap orneem oil sprayat weekly time interval until the pests are gone , applying these products when the sun is n’t glow .
10. Remove Dust
Succulents ca n’t photosynthesize if they ’re covered in detritus , and they should be cleaned on a regular basis to deflect a buildup of grime . The promiscuous path to clean succulent is to wipe their leaves with a soft , dampish cloth and dust backbreaking - to - reach smear with a sonant - bristled paintbrush .
11. Consider Pet Safety
Most cactuses are non - toxic to pets , but succulents are a motley bag , and some coarse succulents are n’t good for positron emission tomography . If you have furry champion in your home , look for pet - safe succulents , likehaworthiaandliving stones ( Lithops ) , or keep your plant life in enclosed grow cabinet or terrariums with a grow light .
