What do succulents need?

Sempervivum arachnoideum 'Standfieldii'

All the succulents They are plants that, due to how easy it is to multiply them, are really very cheap (except for very special cultivars and hybrids, of course). Their growth rate is not very fast, so we can have them in the same pot for two years. In addition, they are very decorative, adopting very curious shapes and producing very brightly colored flowers.

However, they have told us ad nauseam that they are very resistant to drought, and this ... is not entirely true. In fact, to be able to withstand a period - which is otherwise brief - of drought, it is necessary for its roots to absorb water; otherwise the cactus or crass will dry out. So what do succulents need?

Rebutia senilis

For a plant to grow well, it is very important that it be given environmental conditions that are as similar as possible to those it would have in its place of origin. So, we have to give them the following:

• Location: Cacti grow in full sun, as do many succulent plants, such as Fenestraria or Lithops. However, succulents can adapt to living in semi-shade, as long as they have plenty of light.
• Substratum: drainage is very, very important. Thus, you can mix black peat with perlite in equal parts, or use, which is much more recommended, a much more porous substrate, such as pomx, akadama, or river sand, either alone or mixed with 20 or 30%. of black peat.
• Irrigation: in summer they have to be watered 2 to 3 times a week, while the rest of the year it will be enough with once every 10 days. In winter, it will be watered once a month.
• Subscriber: During the growing season (spring and summer, and may end in autumn if the weather is mild), it must be paid with mineral fertilizers, such as Nitrofoska, Osmocote, or a special one for cacti sold in nurseries.
• Rusticity: most of them cannot stand the cold, so if the temperature drops below -1ºC, it is advisable to keep them indoors, in a room where there is a lot of light.

aurantiaca fenestraria

Succulents are very decorative plants, which need basic care to grow. With these tips, your plants are sure to look beautiful and healthy 🙂.