A succulent is any plant with thick, fleshy tissue, which is where they store water (but don’t let this lull you into a false sense of security thinking they don’t have to be watered at all!)
Watering
Succulents need plenty of water, but they don’t like their roots being wet for too long.
Make sure your succulents are planted in well-draining soil and any containers have drainage holes. If you want to display your plant in a container which doesn’t have any, keep them in their original container and put the whole thing into your display pot.
Don’t spray water onto their leaves, or they will curl up and die (literally!).
Whether your succulents are inside or out, water them until the soil is wet and only water them again when they completely dry out. In winter they become dormant, and they will only require watering once every couple of months.
Sunlight
We tend to think of succulents being able to withstand our intense summer heat. But that’s not always the case. They do need at least six hours of sunlight a day (such as on a windowsill or a sunny spot in your garden) but avoid placing them in areas of harsh, direct sun, or they will get sunburnt!
General care
Succulents don’t need lots of fertiliser but giving them a feed once a month will help to replace some of the nutrients lost through watering and drainage. Choose a product made for succulents and be sure to follow the instructions on the container.
In the case of succulents in your garden, organic mulch is a no-no. If you want to cover the soil, use gravel or crushed shell.
Only repot once your plant is too big for the container. It’s best done in spring but if your plant is flowering, wait until it’s finished before repotting. After repotting you should wait a week or two before watering to allow the plant to settle down.
And did you know that a single leaf can sometimes be enough to start a new plant when placed in its own pot?
How to make a stunning succulent bowl
