Succulents are the camels of the plant world. They store water in their fleshy leaves and live off that moisture through rainless months of dry heat. Their shallow roots may wither away during extreme periods of drought. But when rains return, usually in winter, roots regrow and fuel new growth in spring. Knowing their natural inclinations is essential to growing them successfully. “One of the worse things you can do to a succulent is overwater it,” says Debra Lee Baldwin. Known as the Queen of Succulents, Baldwin is an author, gardener, and award-winning photojournalist. Her helpful guides include Designing with Succulents, Succulent Container Gardens: Design Eye-Catching Displays with 350 Easy-Care Plants, and Succulents Simplified: Growing, Designing, and Crafting with 100 Easy-Care Varieties.
“Often people overwater their plants without even realizing it. It can take weeks for a dying succulent to look dead, then all of it sudden it turns to mush.” If you’ve found yourself in a similar dilemma, heed Baldwin’s advice. “Water them about once a week spring through fall, but don’t worry if you skip a time or two,” she says. “They won’t miss you when you’re away. They look better with regular water, but they can get by without.”
Whether planted in the ground or in containers, make sure the set-ups have good drainage and good air circulation. Most of the succulent genera are adapted to arid climates and have no natural defenses against pests such as mealybugs, mold, and mildew.
Succulents, for the most part, are light-loving plants, needing at least six hours of sun exposure daily. If you overwinter them indoors, make sure they are in a bright window or keep them under grow lights for at least six hours daily.
While winter-hardy succulents do exist, most of this diverse group of plants is frost-tender. “Succulents from the New World and northern climes, such as sempervivums and some sedums, agaves, cacti, and echeverias, have inbuilt antifreeze so they can tolerate low temperatures,” says Baldwin. “But most from South Africa and Madagascar don’t have that protection. If the water in their leaves freezes, the moisture expands and bursts through cell walls, which can kill them.”
Tender plants will overwinter indoors as long as they have enough light, but Baldwin also suggests that there’s nothing wrong with growing succulents as annuals. “Enjoy them in the warm months as you would pansies and petunias, and then throw them away,” she says.
Given the right environment and care, succulents can thrive. And it’s simple, according to Baldwin’s summation: Grow them in well-draining soil, water infrequently and mainly during the growing season, protect tender varieties from freezing, and grow them in a sunny location with good air circulation. Visit Baldwin’s website (www.debraleebaldwin.com)) for helpful how-to articles and videos and more information on her books.
Photography provided by miss_j/iStock/Getty Images
