The choice of pots and substrates for succulents It is especially important, because we are dealing with very resistant plants, but they require good conditions in order to develop and display all their beauty.
If you have or are thinking of adding succulents to your collection, pay close attention to the pots you choose for them and also the substrate you use, since drainage is especially important in these cases.
The importance of getting it right when choosing pots and substrates for succulents
The crasses and the cacti have become very popular in recent years, thanks to its beauty and the fact that we are talking about extraordinarily resistant plants. Even those who find it more difficult to grow plants can still have beautiful, bushy succulents at home. This is because they are a undemanding species in terms of care. If you choose both the pot and the substrate well, you will be able to cultivate and see any of its multiple varieties grow, even those considered the most delicate.
The great advantage of succulents is that they are able to grow in soils with very few nutrients. Not surprisingly, many of them have a desert origin. What they do need is good drainage, because Humidity is your main enemy.
If the substrate does not drain well, and the chosen pot does not allow the excess water from irrigation to be adequately evacuated, you will see that your plant begins to present an "inflated" appearance due to the accumulation of water on its leaves, and then it starts to rot. For this reason, getting the pot and the substrate right is essential for beautiful succulents.
What is the best substrate for succulents?
In your reference horticulture store you will find special substrate for succulents. Unless you decide to make it yourself, this is the one to buy. Because it is formulated in such a way that it has a high drainage capacity, making it easy for it to remain completely dry after a short time after watering.
What we are looking for in this case is a porous substrate that allows the evacuation of water. Keep in mind that succulents store water in their leaves (hence their fleshy appearance), so they don't need the soil in which they are planted to be constantly moist.
Typically, this type of substrate is composed of sand, perlite and potting soil, resulting in a light and airy product that prevents the accumulation of water in the roots of the plants.
La "perfect recipe" It is one that combines mineral materials with organic materials. Something to keep in mind if you decide to make your own substrate for succulents. Inorganic matter helps to create pores that evacuate water, but organic materials are essential for the substrate to have a certain water retention capacity, since otherwise the plant will not receive the nutrients it needs, despite the fact that these be few.
- organic materials. Universal substrate can be used, which is valid for all types of plants; but also topdressing (a mixture based on black peat and silica sand); or coconut fiber.
- Nutrient organic materials. Along with the above, we can create the perfect substrate for succulents by providing a little material with nutritious characteristics such as worm humus.
- mineral materials. The most common is perlite, but vermiculite, celtonite, volcanic gravel, pumice and even sand can also be used.
What pot to choose for succulents?
We are seeing the importance of pots and substrates for succulents, because having a beautiful plant not only depends on the material in which it is planted, but also the container has an influence.
If you are going to plant a succulent, what we recommend is that you forget about the plastic pots that are so fashionable lately. The ideal in these cases is to choose clay or ceramic containers. They are a little more expensive but, in return, they will ensure that your plant is better cared for. Because clay and ceramics are porous materials that facilitate air circulation and water evaporation.
It is especially important that the chosen pot has holes for easy drainage. If not, and you don't know or can't do them, add a generous layer of gravel or stones to the bottom.
Another issue to consider is the container size. In this regard, you should know that the root system of these species is very small, because it tends to grow in a circular way. Even in the largest plants we find roots that are quite small. This means that they do not need a large pot to develop, although we must ensure that they have enough space to continue growing.
It is advisable to plant the succulent in a clay or ceramic pot that is a few centimeters larger than the current diameter of the plant. As it grows, we will look for new containers suitable for its size, but without ever exceeding the diameter.
Height is another factor to consider.. In the case of columnar succulents, their roots are not small and circular, as we have said before, but are strong enough to support the weight of the plant. Therefore, in these cases we will need a pot that is tall enough for the roots to develop.
A few extra tips to have more beautiful succulents
If you get it right with the choice of the pot and the substrate for the succulents, you already have a guarantee that they will grow healthy and beautiful. But it does not hurt that you take into account a series of extra tips for your care, so take note:
- Water sparingly. These plants are low irrigation. If you overdo it with water, it is possible that you will run out of them, so it is better to space out the water supply as much as possible. Also, make sure there is no standing water in the saucer of the pot.
- Too much sun. They don't need excessive direct sun exposure because they can burn, but they do require about six hours of direct light a day to grow well.
- Little cold. Some varieties are more sensitive to cold than others, so they should be protected from extreme temperatures during the winter.
You already know how to choose pots and substrates for succulents, so there are no excuses for not making them more beautiful than ever. Can you tell us in the comments how you take care of these plants so that they are always perfect?