You’ve come to the correct site if you’re seeking novice succulent care instructions. Succulents are growing increasingly popular year after year. They come in a range of hues and are lovely indoor and outdoor plants.
You’ll want to buy more succulent plants once you’ve purchased one! I started with one for a coffee table centerpiece and now I’m not sure how many I have in my house. However, if you’re new to the succulent world, you’ll need to learn some simple and straightforward maintenance techniques. This blog will go through the succulent care guidelines for beginners.
Succulents are popular houseplants for a reason. Not only do they come in a range of lovely colors and patterns, but they also require very little upkeep. This is due to the fact that succulent plants store water in their stems and leaves, giving them a thicker or plump appearance. The term succulent is derived from the Latin word sucus, which means ‘liquid’ or’sap’.
If you’re looking for advice on the cactus family, we also offer a site dedicated to cactus care for beginners and Christmas cactus care.
Guide to Growing Succulents
Let’s get started on our top 8 succulent care guidelines for beginners before you dive into the world of succulents. We go into great length on the most crucial, must-know succulent growth strategies, but here’s a brief rundown of the eight themes covered in today’s article:
- Planters and pots
- Types of soil
- Watering
- Fertilizer
- Sunlight
- Pests
- Repotting
- Cleaning
So, let’s get started, and the best sort of pot for succulents is first on our list.
Succulents in the best sort of pots
There are three primary factors to consider when selecting the ideal pot for succulents: drainage, material, and size (and then, of course, aesthetics). Choosing a pot or planter is a fun experience, and we sometimes get carried away with our desire to pick the best, most elegant container we can. You must, however, keep in mind that practicality is vital!
Drainage
When choosing the ideal sort of pot for succulents, the first and most important factor to consider is drainage. Make sure the pot you purchase has drainage holes! This is crucial since it eliminates a lot of the guesswork when it comes to watering your succulent and is also required for a healthy, happy houseplant.
If you fall head over heels for a planter that lacks drainage holes, you may quickly remedy the situation. All you need is a diamond tip drill bit, and most of the time, that is well enough.
Material
The material of the planter you are going to use is the next item you should think about. Ceramic pots are a popular choice since they are permeable and can be used both inside and outside. Not to mention the beautiful designs and hues that are available.
Another option is to go with plastic. A plastic pot is convenient and inexpensive and may be found at virtually any home, DIY, or gardening store. The low-cost cloth is also available in a variety of colors and designs.
Wood is the only material that we can use in the end. If your succulent is frequently exposed to hot, dry circumstances, this is an excellent material to use because it can retain water and survive a long time. The main disadvantage is that wooden containers might decay over time, which can harm your succulent. However, by coating your pot with a plastic sheet before potting, you may easily address this problem.
Size
Finally, consider the size of the pot you choose for your succulents. Fortunately, most plants come with a sticker that specifies the size of the planter you’ll need when you buy them.
This is crucial to remember since your succulent will require space to develop naturally. You don’t want to limit the roots too much, but you also don’t want to leave them with too much space, as succulent roots want to be tucked away.
The best soil for succulents
Our next essential succulent care tip for beginners is soil! What is the finest succulent soil? What is the finest succulent potting soil? What kind of succulent potting soil should I use? You’re undoubtedly asking yourself all of these things.
You’ll need soil that can hold precisely the appropriate quantity of moisture. Your plant may suffer if you use too little or too much water. There are a few key components to look for when purchasing soil. Any succulent that wants to grow needs organic substance, which is usually peat moss. Peat moss, on the other hand, dries up rapidly, so you’ll need to purchase a mixed soil that includes ground bark.
To keep the soil light, you’ll also need inorganic matter-rich soil. Crushed granite or clay can be used. You may prepare your own potting soil mix or buy it from a home improvement store. Just make sure you check the ingredients list carefully to ensure that everything listed above is present.
When should succulents be watered?
‘When do you water succulents?’ should be the next question on your mind. You may be questioning why this is such a vital aspect of novice succulent care; after all, succulents absorb water, and barley requires watering. Although this is valid, it does not excuse you from caring for your houseplant.
Succulents that are overwatered will rot the roots and die, while succulents that are underwatered will dry out and produce their own set of issues. The soak-and-dry procedure is recommended as a general guideline. Soak your succulent plant in the water fully, then wait until the soil is totally dry before watering again. Your succulent will turn purple if you overwater it.
We can’t tell you how often you should water your succulent because they come in all various shapes and sizes and are kept in a variety of living situations. Before rewatering, we recommend that you wait until the soil is totally dry. Indoor succulents, on average, will need to be watered every 10 days.
Only moisten the soil while caring for succulents. If water is left on the succulent leaves for an extended period of time, they will decay.
Suggestions for succulent care
Using the finest succulent fertilizer
It’s all about learning when it comes to succulent care for beginners. Fertilizer is also something you should learn about! How often should a succulent be fertilized? What is the finest succulent fertilizer? Many individuals hold the impression that succulents do not require fertilization. Sure, the soil will provide most of the nutrients your succulent need, but fertilizer will help it thrive and develop.
You should choose a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen and water-soluble. The best option is to purchase cactus and succulent specialist fertilizer from your local gardening store, which will generally be enough. If you want to make your own fertilizer, you may learn more about using coffee grounds for succulents.
Although you may fertilize your succulents as frequently as once a month, we recommend once a year. Fertilize in the spring, when the days are becoming longer and the growing season is approaching.
Do succulent plants require sunlight?
‘Do succulent plants require sun?’ is a question that almost every beginner’s succulent care book will ask, and the answer is yes! Succulents are native to hot climates with extended dry seasons. That is why they are so good at water storage. Succulents are popular because they can withstand virtually any climate, but you’ll want to give your plant as much light as possible.
Succulents require at least 3 hours of sunshine every day and should be placed in a south-facing window. Keeping your succulent out of direct sunlight throughout the warmer months is a good idea. Sunburn can occur when they are exposed to too much direct sunlight during the summer months, resulting in scars on their leaves. Even in low light, certain succulents can grow, and these are the finest succulents for workplaces.
You don’t want to keep your succulent in a room with too much light, though. This causes the plant to extend out in unusual directions, generally in an attempt to reach light sources. This is referred to as etiolation. If you find that your succulent is growing taller, but the leaves are getting more spread out, it’s an indication that it needs more light. If plants don’t receive enough sunshine, colorful succulents will go back to being green. Learn all you need to know about succulent etiolation.
As a general guideline, your succulents should receive at least 3 hours of sunshine every day, with indirect light throughout the summer months.
Pests that attack succulents
If you’re new to succulent care, it’s important to understand that they do acquire bugs. Mealybugs and spider mites are the two most frequent types. Because these pests are minuscule and reside in difficult-to-find areas, getting rid of them from your plants can be difficult.
This implies your houseplant may have bugs for a long time before you notice anything unusual. That is why it is critical to examine your succulents on a regular basis.
Mealybugs
If mealybugs have invaded your succulent, the first thing you’ll notice is a strange white material. Mealybugs like to hide in the nooks and crevices of your plant, making them difficult to locate. They do, however, spread swiftly from plant to plant, so if you spot an infestation, you must act soon. The nasties prefer to munch away at your succulent’s fresh growth and may do a lot of damage.
Dabbing a cotton bud soaked in denatured alcohol over your succulent is a natural home treatment for mealybugs. Because the alcohol will not harm your plant, repeat as needed to get rid of the pests.
Imidacloprid is a wonderful alternative if you don’t mind utilizing chemicals. Mix the chemical with your succulent’s water and use it every few months after that.
Spider mites
Spider mites are another pest you’ll want to get rid of as soon as possible. These pests will slow your succulent’s development and harm it by sucking the plant’s fluids. Spider mites are tiny brown insects that seem to the naked eye to be a speck of brown dust.
Spider mites are difficult to detect as a result of this, although they do form colonies and build little webs to defend themselves from predators. These webs will most likely be noticed before the pests themselves.
You’ll need to invest in an excellent miticide and carefully follow the instructions. This should be enough to get rid of the spider mites once and for all!
Although these are the two most prevalent forms of pests, fungus gnats can also be a nuisance. These are similar to fruit flies and are very harmless. Fungus gnats on succulents are easy to get rid of, and there are a number of tried and true techniques for doing so.
Succulents repotting
Although succulents are low-maintenance and only require repotting every few years, it’s necessary to have a basic understanding of how to care for them. First and foremost, when should you repot succulents? Succulents prefer to be in compact, close-fitting containers because they enjoy being close to one another.
However, you don’t want to stifle your child’s development. Regularly inspect your pot; if the roots are growing out of the drainage holes, it’s time to repot. If your succulent topples over the pot, there’s another clue that it’s time to repot it.
Succulents should be repotted every two years on average. This is to allow for proper development while also replenishing the soil and fertilizer with new nutrients. Repotting during the growing season (summer and spring) decreases the danger of harm and increases the likelihood of survival.
When repotting succulents, make sure you only go up one size! Your succulent will stay healthy and refreshed if you repot it.
Cleaning and Maintenance
If you don’t clean and care for your succulents on a regular basis, they’ll start to collect dust, just like any other home object. You should dust them off on a regular basis and make sure there is no residue on them.
Even though succulents are low-maintenance, you should nevertheless care for them and examine them on a regular basis. Monitoring for bugs, checking the soil and making sure you’re watering when necessary, and evaluating the roots for overgrowth are all examples of this.
Conclusion
I hope you liked reading our beginner’s guide to succulent care and learned some interesting information about caring for your beautiful plants. Succulents are excellent starting houseplants since they are low-maintenance and need minimal care.