- Care requirements of succulents
- Watering succulents properly
- Fertilize succulents properly
- Repot succulents
- Wintering Succulents: Hardy Species
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Succulents are generally undemanding. Nevertheless, you should know certain tips and tricks in order to really meet their requirements.
Who doesn't know them? The water-storing succulents are a popular houseplant and some species can also be seen in gardens in Germany. The desert-like plants, which are characterized by their thick fleshy leaves or trunks, are generally considered to be particularly easy to care for and hardly pose any problems even for people without a "green thumb". which we present below.
Care requirements of succulents
For the majority of succulents, which include a large number of families and genera, the maintenance effort is very low. For example, the heat-loving plants tolerate the lack of watering during the summer vacation without any problems. Always make sure that succulents are in the right location: Due to the desert-like origins of many succulent species, a sunny and warm location makes sense. In summer, the thick-leaved plants can also stay in the garden without any problems.
Watering succulents properly
An important aspect of undemanding succulents is always the right amount of water. It is better to water too little than too much, because succulents react to an oversupply of water and waterlogging with root rot. The cultivation of the unusual plants is specialized in storing water in the plant organs, so they only need little moisture. Nevertheless, a succulent should also be watered lightly about once a week. After watering, however, always pour the water off the coaster or planter.
Fertilize succulents properly
As with the topic of water, the use of fertilizers should also be viewed with caution. Fast-growing succulents can be fertilized about every three weeks with special cactus and succulent fertilizer to provide the plant with enough nutrients. Draw the fertilizersare characterized by a high potassium content and are tailored to the needs of water-storing plants. In terms of resource-saving use, the use of organic fertilizers is a good idea. In addition, this has a much gentler effect on the plant than conventional fertilizer. The same applies here: You should avoid overdosing so that the roots do not get burned. Slow-growing succulents, on the other hand, usually do not need any fertilizer at all.
Here are all the tips for the correct care of succulents:
- Warm and sunny location
- Water only a little; Avoid waterlogging at all costs
- Fertilize only fast-growing succulents; about every three weeks
Repot succulents
Transplanting succulents is an important step from time to time to provide new substrate and increase volume for the roots. If the previous pot has become too small, a correspondingly larger one should be selected. We'll show you what to look out for.
When do you repot succulents?
For succulents, it is sufficient to change the substrate every two to three years. The ideal time for this is spring, when the growing season begins slowly. This gives the plant enough time to adapt to the changing conditions during the summer.
How and with which substrate are succulents repotted?
Choosing the right substrate is crucial to repotting succulents properly, as moisture-sensitive plants require well-drained soil. We recommend a special cactus and succulent soil that optimally supplies your plants with all the nutrients and has the right properties.
"If you have carefully removed the plant from the old pot, you should also line the new pot with potsherds before planting. These serve as a drainage layer and automatically prevent waterlogging on the ground. In principle, a clay pot is preferable to a plastic pot, as moisture accumulates much less in it.
Repotting succulents at a glance:
- Every 2 - 3 years in spring
- Special substrate for cacti and succulents
- Clay pot instead of plastic pot
- Drainage layer offShards of pottery on the floor
Wintering Succulents: Hardy Species
Succulents are not only popular ornamental plants in the house - they also contribute to a beautiful picture in the garden. But by no means all succulents survive the frosty winter in Germany. The following succulents also defy the temperatures in the cold season:
- Several Yucca species, including Yucca filamentosa and Yucca baccata
- Cacti such as Opuntia (prickly pear), including Optuntia tortispina
- Echeveria like Echeveria elegans
- Sedum hens, which are also very common in temperate climates; including, for example, the magnificent stonecrop (Hylotelephium spectabile)
When overwintering succulents in Germany, the main factor to consider is wetness. In autumn, ensure that the plant can overwinter as sheltered from the rain as possible, ideally by standing in a rain-protected spot or by protecting it with a canopy.
Not only is it easy to care for succulents, propagation is usually not a big challenge either. In our special article you will find out how you can propagate succulents.
Many thanks to Floragard for the support!