Birthday
HydrangeasSucculents are among the most forgiving houseplants: they store water in their leaves and stems and forgive forgetful owners. But they still have rules. Here is which succulents to choose for a windowsill, how to water and repot them, how to propagate them and what to do if a plant stretches or rots.
Succulents and other potted plants are in our potted plants section.
What succulents are
Succulents are plants from many different families that have adapted to drought by storing moisture in fleshy leaves, stems or roots. They include cacti as well as many other plants, from aloe to the jade plant.
Popular types for the home
- Echeveria — rosettes like stone flowers; needs bright light.
- Haworthia and gasteria — tolerate less light and suit north- or east-facing windows.
- Aloe — undemanding and fast-growing.
- Jade plant (Crassula) — long-lived, eventually becoming a small tree.
- Kalanchoe and sedums — easy to care for, many flower beautifully.
- Lithops ("living stones") — for experienced growers: very sensitive to overwatering.
Care basics
- Light. Most succulents need the brightest windowsill; in summer they can go out on a balcony, getting used to direct sun gradually.
- "Soak and dry" watering. Water thoroughly, then water again only when the soil has dried out completely. In summer that is roughly every 1–2 weeks, in winter every 3–4 weeks or less.
- Soil — a free-draining cactus and succulent mix with added perlite or fine grit.
- Pot — always with a drainage hole; terracotta pots help the soil dry faster.
- Winter — cool conditions (about 10–15 °C) and very little water, otherwise plants become leggy.
Propagation
Many succulents are easy to propagate from leaves, cuttings and offsets. Leave a cut leaf or cutting to dry for a few days until the cut has callused, then lay it on slightly moist soil. The first roots appear after 2–4 weeks.
Common problems
- The plant has stretched and the rosette opened out — not enough light.
- Leaves are soft, translucent and darkening at the base — overwatering and rot; water less and repot into dry soil, removing affected parts.
- Leaves have shrivelled — the plant needs water.
- White fluffy tufts — mealybugs; treat the plant.
Spiral "succulents"
Plants with corkscrew leaves — Albuca spiralis and Moraea — are sometimes sold as succulents. Strictly speaking, they are bulbs and corms, but their care is similar: plenty of light, moderate watering and a dormant period when watering almost stops. The spirals curl best in bright light with restrained watering.
For arrangement ideas see "DIY succulent arrangements", and for cactus gifts "Cactus gift ideas". For a garden succulent for rockeries, see "Stone rose (houseleek)".
Important: some succulents, such as kalanchoe, jade plant and aloe, can be toxic to cats and dogs.
FAQ
How often should succulents be watered?
Only when the soil is completely dry: roughly every 1–2 weeks in summer and every 3–4 weeks or less in winter.
Why is my succulent stretching?
Because of too little light, especially in a warm room in winter.
Can a succulent be grown from a leaf?
Yes, many species propagate from leaves: let the leaf callus, then lay it on slightly moist soil.
View full-size photo
Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
