Resilient by Nature: The Enduring Wisdom of Succulents
The resilience of succulents makes them popular houseplants, but their charm lies deeper than their low-maintenance reputation. Renowned for their unique beauty, these survivalists are adapted to thrive in inhospitable environments, often with poor soil and scorching sun. Understanding these adaptations shines light on succulent care requirements and instills an appreciation for these hardy plants.
Succulents, whose name comes from the Latin word succus (juice), are hallmarked by their ability to store water. If a plant has thick, fleshy parts used for water storage in arid climates, it is generally classified as a succulent (there is, per usual, debate in the botanical community over an exact definition). The succulent group is not one branch of the tree of life; this survival strategy has evolved independently all over the plant kingdom, from the saguaro cactus to the snake plant.
As with other plants, the best way to care for a succulent is to mimic its natural environment. This can entail different care requirements depending on the species, but here are some tried-and-true rules of thumb that are a great bet for keeping succulents happy:
Temperature: Growing succulents outdoors year-round is a lovely option for water-wise landscaping, and it requires ensuring cold-hardiness. For instance, hardy opuntia, sedum, sempervivum, and ice plants can weather a cold winter, while tender aloe, echeveria, crassula, and plumeria will need to be brought inside before frost approaches. Indoors, if you are comfortable with the temperature, your succulents will be too.
Light: Succulents tend to prefer an abundance of bright, direct sun. Outdoors, full sun tends to produce the best growth and blooms. Be sure to gradually acclimate a plant into the sun if it has been accustomed to lower light. Indoors, most succulents will do best in the brightest spot you can provide—ideally an unobstructed south- or west-facing window. Stretching thin and tall toward a light source is typically a sign of too little light, while scorched leaves are a sign of too much. If you’re looking for a succulent to grow in a dim corner of your living space, try a haworthia, gasteria, or fernwood snake plant.
Water: Most succulents require a full dry period between waterings to prevent rot. If you’re unsure, poke a wooden skewer into the soil to check the moisture level; if any moist soil sticks to the skewer, hold off on watering until fully dry. When watering, do so thoroughly to ensure all roots receive moisture.
Soil and drainage: Succulents prefer well-draining, aerated soil low in organic matter. A traditional potting mix retains water too long for most succulents; additives like pumice and perlite help with aeration. A drainage hole is advised for keeping potted succulents thriving.
Propagation: Many succulents have the unique characteristic of growing an entire new plant from a single leaf. Those without leaves like most cacti and euphorbia propagate easily from stem cuttings. In either case, let the wound callous over until it looks fully dry, then plant lightly in soil and water sparingly. Propagation specifics vary based on species; please reach out with any questions.
Follow these guidelines to find succulent success. Resist the urge to tend to them too much; succulents thrive on calculated neglect. They’re the perfect plants to set and forget on a windowsill or gift to a loved one, with or without a green thumb. (Pictured: Agave scabra, Crassula ovata, Curio radicans, Delosperma sp., Echeveria sp.)