All About Succulents

It seems like everyone has developed a thirst for succulents. Succulents come in all sizes and span the full range of exotic shapes, adding beauty and flair wherever they’re placed.

Succulents are the perfect starter plant for the novice gardener or traveler because they don’t mind a little neglect. This makes them the ideal houseplant for anyone desiring low-maintenance greenery.

If you’re looking to add a succulent to your collection, we’ll be answering some of the most common questions, including:

What is a succulent?
How do I care for succulents?
How often should I water my succulents?
How can I propagate a succulent?
How do I repot a succulent?

What is a succulent?

Succulents and cacti are often used interchangeably, but in fact, cacti are a type of succulent. All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti.

Succulents are naturally found in warm, dry climates where rainfall is infrequent. They’re characterized by thick, fleshy leaves and swollen stems that give them the special ability to retain water. (The word succulent comes from the Latin word sucus, meaning 'juice', or 'sap'.) Because they are built to survive in dry conditions with limited rainfall, they’re one of the more forgiving types of houseplants.

How to care for a succulent

Different succulents will require slightly different kinds of care, but here are our biggest tips for keeping your succulents alive and happy:

Use a well-draining potting mix. Don’t make the mistake of planting your succulent in regular potting mix. Start with a coarse potting mix with good drainage and aeration. We recommend using cactus and succulent mixes with good drainage and aeration, available at any home and garden store. To further improve drainage and prevent compaction, add up to 50 percent perlite or pumice to the potting mix.
Plant in terra cotta or cement pots. Terra cotta and cement will help your succulent from developing root rot. Also, make sure your container has a drainage hole. Avoid glass containers, like mason jars or terrariums, because they don’t allow roots to breathe and can cause root rot over time.
Let the potting mix dry out between waterings. Most succulents will do well with once- or twice-weekly waterings, depending on whether you live in a humid or desert environment. They will require more water at the height of summer than in the dead of winter.
Place your succulent near a bright light source. Keep them in direct sunlight or near big, bright windows to get as much sunlight as possible. You can tell if your plants aren’t getting enough sunlight if the leaves start to stretch or the flesh begins to pale.
Fertilize your succulents every spring. When the days get longer and new growth begins, use a balanced, all-purpose, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half the strength recommended on the package instructions.

How often should you water a succulent?

Generally speaking, you should check the moisture condition of your succulents every two or three weeks. The easiest way to do it? Stick a finger in the top inch of soil. If it’s dry, your succulent is ready to be watered.

You’ll know your succulent is being overwatered if the leaves begin to feel soggy or mushy. On the other hand, you’ll know that your succulent isn’t getting enough water when the leaves look shriveled and begin to dry up and fall off.

How to propagate succulents

Now for the fun part: propagation! Propagation is a cheap and effective way to get more plants. It’s easy, fun, and totally free!

Remove the lower leaves. Hold each leaf firmly and wiggle from side to side until you feel a little snap. You want the entire leaf; if the base is still attached to the stem, it won’t be able to root.
Allow the leaves to dry out for a week. It may seem counterintuitive -- wouldn’t the leaves die if they were allowed to dry out? -- but you need to let each leaf callous over. If you place them directly on soil, they’ll absorb too much moisture, rot, and die.
Place them on top of cactus & succulent potting mix. Keep your leaves indoors in an area with lots of bright indirect light. Don’t water the leaves until you start to see roots or babies appearing.

After a few weeks you will see little pink roots sprouting from the ends of the leaves. Then you’ll start to see tiny baby plants begin to appear. At this point, give the roots or baby points a quick soak on a weekly basis. If you’re nervous about accidentally overwatering your baby succulents, you can spray your leaves daily using a spray bottle.

How to repot a succulent

If...

… You just brought home a new succulent but it’s sitting in one of those small, cheap black plastic containers
… Your succulent seems to dry out quickly shortly after watering it
… Your succulent looks like it’s outgrowing its pot
… You can’t remember the last time you repotted your succulent (i.e., over 12 to 18 months ago)

It may be time to repot your succulent. Again, most succulents should be repotted every 12 to 18 months. Some can spend a few years in their planters or pots before needing to be repotted.

Tip: Soil looking a bit old? Make sure you change out the soil with some fresh cactus & succulent potting mix. New soil has crucial nutrients that your succulents need to thrive!

Step 1: Remove your succulent from the existing pot.

Lay down some newspaper (use more than you think you’ll need - potting soil has a way of getting everywhere!). Then, turn your potted succulent sideways and grab it by the base of the stem. Tap the bottom of the container with your other hand. If your succulent is being stubborn, you can gently shake it and pull it to coax it out of the pot.

Step 2: Loosen the roots.

Take a look at the bottom of your succulent’s root structure. Are they tangled and knotted? Try untangling them with your fingers. You can even trim them with some garden shears. Go slowly and carefully.

Step 3: Remove the old potting mix.

Still holding your succulent by its base, give it a few good shakes to remove the old potting mix. Then, set it down gently on your newspaper.

Step 4: Up-pot and add new potting mix.

Select a terra cotta or cement pot that’s 1-2 inches bigger in diameter. Pour a base layer of the new cactus & succulent potting mix, then place your plant smack-dab in the center of the new soil. Use a small shovel to add some more potting mix around the base of the plant; it should be able to sit straight up on its own. Be careful not to pack the soil; compact soil makes for poor root aeration.

Tip: Make sure you leave some room at the top of your pot. Otherwise, when you try to water it, it’ll overflow and make a mess.

Step 4: Water your succulent.

Give your succulent a nice soak. The water will drain through the entire pot and allow your succulent to settle into its new soil.

Closing Thoughts

Every succulent deserves a beautiful home. You may have selected the perfect pot, but what about a nice, sturdy display shelf for your plant?

Our customer Donnie N.’s cacti on a Double Easy 8”.

Our customer @bruinfootyfan’s succulents on a Double Easy 12”.

Our affiliate @cyrilcybernated’s Triple Easy 8”.

Give us a call at (408) 988-8002 if you have any questions about which display stand is right for your succulent collection!