Succulents have become some of the most popular houseplants, and it’s really not surprising because they’re affordable, easy to grow, and super stylish. Plus, with so many different variations in size, color, shape, and texture, they’re also really fun to collect. What’s not to love? If you want to update your Milwaukee home or office with the upbeat allure of potted succulents, take a minute to glance through this quick guide to indoor succulent care from the experts at Welke’s Florist.
Why Succulents Are So Different from Other Green Plants
The main difference between succulents and other plants are their leaves. Most plants have papery leaves, but succulents sprout thick, rubbery leaves, segments, and spikes. These odd-looking appendages help them survive in harsh climates that receive little rainfall by storing water.
The Crazy-Good Reason to Keep Succulents Inside
Succulents don’t just look pretty, they’re also really healthy for an indoor environment. They’ve been shown to increase focus and productivity. Plus, they help regulate humidity. In addition to that, succulents help to purify the air by removing harmful toxins and also replenish it with fresh oxygen.
Favorite Succulent Varieties
Sedum Reflexum (Blue Spruce Stonecrop)
One of many types of sedum succulents, the blue spruce stonecrop is particularly striking. This sedum has a pretty, blue-green hue and abundant spiky tendrils, almost like the boughs of a blue spruce tree. These are beautiful for creating a full-looking succulent garden, and they’ll eventually spill over the sides of the container for an added effect.
Succa For You
Echeveria
Echeveria succulents grow in starburst-shaped circular rows of leaf segments. They’re mesmerizing to look at and come in a variety of colors including shades of green, red, pink, and even black. The texture and shape of their leaves vary depending on the type of echeveria, as well. These look lovely potted on their own and also do well combined with other succulents.
Black Prince Echeveria
Senecio Serpens (Blue Chalk sticks)
This bush-like succulent is striking to look at and does well in container gardens. With spiky leaves that shoot straight upward, this plant adds lots of height and visual interest to a planter. When exposed to too much heat, the blue chalk sticks succulent’s leaves will turn a dusty shade of bluish-purple.
Succulents & Bamboo
How to Grow Healthy Succulents Inside
The trick to growing healthy succulents it’s just to leave them alone most of the time. Since succulents don’t need to be pruned or require much water, they basically thrive on neglect.
Pot succulents in a container that will drain easily and use a potting mix that’s specially formulated for cacti and succulents. Place them in a sunny location and rotate the pot occasionally to promote even growth.
Succulents don’t need much water, but they do need to be watered from time to time. When you do so, make sure the soil has dried completely since the previous watering. Then soak the soil through and allow the excess water to drain. Never let a succulent sit in standing water, as it will cause the plant to rot at its base and die.
Yellowing or browning leaves indicate a stressed plant. Usually, this happens due to over-watering, but it can also be a sign of extreme thirst. Check your soil’s moisture and call an expert at Welke’s Florist for advice.