Succulents have become some of the most adored houseplants out there. They’re affordable, trendy, and easy to care for. What’s not to love? They also grow in seemingly endless varieties of colors, shapes, sizes, and textures, which makes them fun to collect. If you’re planning to update the look of your Fargo home or office with potted succulents, take a minute to check out this quick guide to indoor succulents from the experts at Shotwell Floral.
How Succulents Differ from Other Green Plants
The primary differentiator between succulents and other plants are the leaves. Succulents have thick, rubbery leaves and/or spines that serve as a handy adaptation that makes it possible for them to survive in harsh, arid climates. Succulent leaves, stems, and roots store water, making these plants super tolerant of drought.
Why Succulents Are Wonderful Houseplants
Succulents make great houseplants because they’re not only pretty, but they’ve actually been shown to create a calm atmosphere with positive energy that helps people focus and improve productivity. They’re also excellent for an indoor environment because they’re able to remove harmful toxins from the air, while also replenishing the oxygen.
Popular Succulent Varieties
Sedum Pachyphyllum (Jellybean Plant)
Commonly called the jelly bean plant, the sedum pachyphyllum is one of many sedums that grows in a tall column of jelly-bean-like leaf segments. Light greenish-gray, in color these plants add height and volume to a planter filled with a variety of succulents.
Jelly Bean Plant
Mini Succulent
Echeveria
Echeveria plants are probably the most commonly used succulents. Different varieties grow in starburst shapes but feature different colors like green, pink, red, and black and different textures. Leaf segments vary from round to pointed, tubular to flat, and crinkled to smooth.
Succulent – Echeveria
Succulents – Echeveria
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe plants are some of the happiest-looking succulents available. They have vibrant green, paddle-shaped leaves with a waxy sheen and bloom with clusters of small flowers in shades of pink, red, yellow, white, and orange. Cared for properly, kalanchoes will start blooming in autumn and continue flowering until spring. They’re the perfect way plants for brightening up the darkest days of the year.
Orange Kalanchoe
How to Care for Succulents Growing Indoors
The best way to take care of indoor succulents is not to pay too much attention to them. Succulents basically thrive on neglect because they’re adapted to desert life, where they don’t receive much water. To thrive indoors, succulents need lots of light and very little water, and they don’t need to be pruned.
Stunning Succulent Garden
Pot succulents in a container that will drain easily, using low-nutrient soil formulated for cacti and succulents. Place the pot in a location where they’ll receive plenty of sunshine, but won’t be exposed to frosty windows or cold drafts. Water sparingly. When you water a succulent, you can soak the soil, but make sure it drains completely. Then wait until the soil has dried completely before watering again. In the winter, this could be as seldom as only once a month.
If succulent leaves begin turning brown or yellow, this is a sign of an unhappy plant. Usually, this means a succulent has too much water, but it can also indicate extreme thirst. Check the soil’s moisture and contact an expert at Shotwell Floral for help.
