Succulents 101: Care Instructions for Your Indoor Plants

If you have been gardening for years or are just starting to look into indoor plants succulents are a great option because they look nice come in many types and are easy to take care of. If you want to include these tough plants in your indoor garden this guide will give you the care tips you need to help them grow well and last a long time.

To start, you really need to understand what succulents are. These are plants that grow in the desert and can keep water in their leaves stems or roots. This trait helps them handle dry conditions well and hints at how we should take care of them.

Perfect Light

Succulents like to be in a lot of light. Most people will require around six hours of sunlight that isn't direct each day. Be on the lookout for poor lighting if you see plants with long stems and dull colors. On the other hand succulents might get sunburned if they are in the sun for too long. A window that faces south or east might be a great place for your plant to thrive.

Ways to Water Plants

Even though succulents can survive with little water they still require some watering from time to time. The frequency of watering them will rely on the environment in your house. A usual guideline is to water the soil well and then wait until it is completely dry before giving it more water. In an average house this could happen every two to three weeks.

Planting and Dirt

Many succulents like soil that drains well so their roots don’t get too wet. You might want to get potting mix made for succulents or you could mix regular potting soil with some coarse sand and perlite to create your own. Use pots that have holes at the bottom so the extra water can escape.

Heat and moisture in the air

Succulents can handle different temperatures but they usually like it when it's not too hot or too cold. They will thrive in temperatures that range from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. When it comes to humidity these plants are from the desert but they can handle a little bit of moisture. If your house has a lot of humidity you should let the soil dry out all the way before watering again to stop root rot from happening.

Feeding your succulents with nutrients

When it comes to fertilizing indoor succulents you don't really have to do it all the time but giving them some extra nutrients now and then can help them grow better. When the plant is growing in spring and summer you should give your succulent a special fertilizer for cacti each month. Make sure you stick to the instructions on the package so you don't use too much fertilizer.

Bug Management

Make sure to keep an eye out for pests such as mealybugs spider mites and fungus gnats. If you see any bugs act fast and use some natural soap made for insects.

Now that you have these care tips you can start building a lively indoor space filled with succulents. These tough and pretty plants can change how your home looks by adding a bit of nature without needing much care.