How to care for succulents at home

How to care for succulents at home

Although succulents do not have a constant need for water and do not need constant attention, they still need specific care to stay healthy. These are plants that can give a special touch to our house and our garden: they adapt to almost any environment and the attention you will give them is not as assiduous and tight as the most delicate plants.

They are also suitable for those who do not have a green spot. Despite this, if we want to have succulents on our terrace or at home, we need to know how to keep them alive and healthy. Succulents can be cared for in a house simply. What is needed is some water, sun and a warm place. It is important to protect them from low temperatures. If you leave them in a too cold place, the plants could die.

How to take care of succulents at home easily

It is possible to keep succulents indoors, the important thing is that they are placed in pots that have a drainage hole in the bottom and of at least 4 cm. depth. Most succulents love to be in the sun, so even indoors, you should place them in the south, near windows or balconies.. Water them only when the soil is dry; and in summer, on the hottest and hottest days, water them once or twice a week, depending on the needs of the plant.

Do not forget to remove the accumulated dust that could block the photosynthesis process: you can use a hair dryer with cold air at a distance. Finally, always remove faded flowers and the parts affected by the parasites, which could damage the entire plant. The most important things to take care of succulents are the following:

Make sure your succulents get enough light

Many succulents need about six hours of direct sunlight a day, depending on the species. Since newly planted succulents can burn if they are put in the sun, you may need to gradually expose them to full sun or shade them with a sheer curtain.

Succulents are difficult to get adequate sun when kept indoors. But nevertheless, indoors you'll want to plant your succulents near a window that gets enough light throughout the day. Place succulents near the brightest window or the brightest part of your home or workplace if that is not possible.

The amount of water is essential

The amount of water is essential for succulents

The most difficult aspect of keeping succulents alive indoors for novice succulent gardeners is watering. These plants need an unusually large amount of water to survive. However, want to be watered less regularly than other indoor plants. However, I wouldn't go so far as to suggest that succulents don't require a lot of water. So, this is the situation:

Succulents prefer their roots to be submerged in water for a short time before drying out. The soil is then watered again after a few days of dryness. Succulents can be helped to live by spraying them lightly with water, but if you want them to grow, you must use the "soak and dry" method. Indoor succulents shouldn't be watered every day. It is the easiest way to end them.

Bug problems

Pests of Crasa Plants and Cacti
Related article:
Pests of Succulent Plants and Cacti

Critters are not usually a problem if succulents are properly cared for as indoor plants.r (adequate irrigation, well-drained soil, light, ventilation, etc.). However, if you buy a plant that already contains bugs, they can quickly become a major problem.

Mosquitoes are a typical pest that beginning gardeners come across. They usually appear only if the soil is excessively wet. The pest can be avoided by using a well-draining soil mix and allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Mealybugs are another pest that appears too often. They are vicious white critters that will fight tooth and nail to finish off your succulents. If they appear, spray them with pharmacy rubbing alcohol and water.

Container suitable for caring for succulents at home

Succulents don't like being in waterlogged soil, so drainage is important to prevent rotting. The container should have a drainage hole to allow excess water to escape. Terracotta pots are great for beginners. When transplanting, use a container that has a drainage hole and is at least 2 to 3 cm larger than the container in the nursery.

Avoid glass containers (such as jars or terrariums) as a long-term transplant solution, as they do not allow the roots to breathe and can cause root rot over time (you have more information here). Fill a third of the bottom of the container with pre-moistened substrate, then place the plant inside and fill with more pre-moistened substrate.

You can fertilize your succulents in growth period

Always during the vegetative period, fertilization is helpful in promoting healthy growth and good flowering. For succulents, a standard concentrated product in liquid form containing all the main nutrients is sufficient, to be applied every 2-3 weeks exclusively during the growth phase. When it comes to pathogens, the most common parasites of succulents are common scale insects, mealy roots, flies, and spider mites.

They are not particularly prone to disease, although too much nitrogen in the soil and improper growing conditions can lead to black rot., a disease that mainly affects epiphytic cacti and stapelia, deforming plants and causing their death. If you discover that a succulent is about to die, take healthy shoots or sections as cuttings.

Would you like to know how to make a composition of succulents? Here we explain how:


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