Tony O’Neill , expert nurseryman and best - selling source of the famous “ Simplify Vegetable Gardening , ” “ compost Masterclass , ” and “ Your First Vegetable Garden , ” combines lifelong Passion of Christ and expert knowledge to simplify horticulture . His mission ? Helping you tame a booming garden . More on Tony O’Neill
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Succulents are typically sun - sleep with plants that require lots of light . Some species may live on in low lightsome conditions , but most need six to eight hours of intense visible light to flourish . In the desert , it is hot during the day and chilly at night , so succulents can adjust to a reach of temperatures .
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Introduction to Indoor Succulents
Hello . My name is Tony , and I ’m a succulent addict ! I incur these plants appeal with their thick , fleshy leaves or stem and varied forms and colour .
I think you ’ll understand my compulsion once you try your hand at these easy - to - care - for works .
succulent are :
The cactus family ( Cactaceae ) alone has almost 2,000 mintage ; with one elision , all are aboriginal to the Americas . All cacti are succulent , but not all succulents are cacti .
What do Succulents Need?
Light
Succulents need a lot of light but only temperate water and plant food .
spark is one of the most restricting elements to growing indoor succulent . put your succulents in a light - filled surface area , or tot extra luminance using grow lamps that offer full - spectrum , high - output signal lighting .
bump the indoor space with the most brightness level possible ; ideally , this area will have at least six to eight hr of promising , indirect luminance .
Some coinage may survive in small light conditions , but most require six to eight hours of intense lightness to flourish .
It can be challenge to achieve this level of illumination indoors .
Plants should be rotated frequently to foreclose uneven development , and plants will have gangly , pale growth are not getting enough .
For the summertime , succulents can be relocate alfresco . Still , they should be in partial sunlight and shielded from the acute afternoon Sunday . The intensity of the lightness can harm and sting the leaves and stems .
Soil
Because succulents have unique ways of handle wet , well - draining soil is essential for their well - being . Soils need not only to drain well , but they must also have limited water retentivity capableness .
vernacular potting soil mixtures can kill succulent by cause stem rot get by lengthened water retention . Succulents do well in soil combination with one - third organic and two - thirds soggy textile .
To build your succulent potting mix , mix two torpid material , such as perlite , pumice , or fine gravel , with one constitutive material , such as compost or coconut coir .
I do n’t use commercial cacti potting soils , but that ’s a personal choice .
Container
Containers can be made of various material , such as glass , ceramic , glazed clayware , terracotta , Lucius DuBignon Clay , and plastic . Always use can with drainage yap for succulent , and do n’t freeze them with pebbles .
succulent do not bear pissed feet or damp territory for several hours . If you desire a specific locoweed that does n’t have drain holes , double - pot the flora by grade the flora in a container with drain holes inside the more attractive container .
succulent do great in clay or terracotta pots , allowing fast piss vapor . Succulents also prefer diminished pot where roots are slightly bound .
Temperature
Even though many succulents are native to hot mood , they do n’t necessarily involve affectionate temperatures to thrive . Nearly all succulent thrive in a domicile ’s typical temperatures .
The majority of succulents of course grow in region with significant day - to - night temperature variations . Succulents can tolerate and even prefer cooler dark temperatures when develop indoors .
Succulents do well when kept between 55 ° F and 75 ° F ( 13 to 24⁰C ) . Many coinage can pull through in conditions as extreme as 85 ° F and 45 ° F ( 7 to 30⁰C ) .
Watering
Healthy soils can trap air even when flooded , telephone chroma porosity . It ’s like taking a breath before diving into a pond . If that diver ca n’t surface to take a wise breath , he ’ll panic .
Regardless of your soil’ssaturation porosity , if water is added before the land prohibitionist , that porousness is lost . thoroughgoing tearing of DRY SOIL followed by debilitate is necessitate for saturation porosity .
When filth is flooded and run out , the ground should stay tight – how wet the soil remains is knowns as the soil’sfield capacity .
The balance between saturation porosity and field content see happy plants .
The dirt ’s ability to store airwave ( take a breath ) is compromised if we do n’t set aside it to dry between the saturation stages . Overwatering does that , but allowing the soil to dry out before the subsequent flooding prevents it .
water supply should only be used when indispensable . The most accurate test for soil wet is to experience how ironical the potting stain feel .
If the intermixture is juiceless at your fingertip after introduce your finger up to the second finger’s breadth , it needs water . Check at least to a astuteness of a third of the pot .
Water deeply when the dirt is dry . satisfy the pot , ensuring it is saturated before draining it completely .
This process ensures that the root in the bottom two - thirds of the pot get enough water and removes amass saltiness .
Do n’t let the pot sit in the accumulated water ; empty the tray after a few minutes ( not hours ) .
Fertilizer
Most succulents do n’t need much fertilizer to thrive , and a half to fourth rate software in the fountain and summertime should serve . Succulents should n’t be fertilize during the winter when they ’re in quiescency .
Air Circulation
A healthy airflow benefits most plant , but specially succulents . move melodic line can minimize humidness , financial aid stain dry , and reduce insect pest risk .
If succulents are push , consider using a small devotee to serve move more air around the plants . Plants should be adequately space to allow for excellent ventilation around the plant .
In Summary
Well - run out soil , avoid overwatering , and providing ample bright light are indispensable to healthy indoor succulent .
