Once deserted, succulents are now household names. How do these plants compare with other varieties of charming houseplants? It is due to many factors that succulents have mass appeal. Succulent care is simple, and they are durable and portable.
list of cactus names and pictures and styles exist, from greens to rainbow patterns.
Succulent Overview
Sap, juice, and drink are the elements of the Latin word sucus. They are drought-resistant because they contain leaves and stems that store large amounts of water. Desert plants like this make great houseplants because of their adaptability and ability to withstand neglect, however, some cultivars do best indoors while others don't.
Succulent size, color, shape, style, natural climate, and care requirements all need to be considered. As a rule, they range in height from under an inch, such as the Blossfeldia liliputana, up to 12 feet, such as the blue yucca. In addition, they come in various colors and shapes. Many succulents come from arid desert climates, but there are some varieties that hail from tropical regions, like Macho mocha mangave and octopus agave.
Most succulents require a lot of light, and some houses don't get enough natural light to take care of certain types of succulent. Green varieties of succulents usually survive indoors better than colorful versions, depending on your home's amount of light. Their natural habitat directly correlates with their care needs, so do what you can to recreate this.
Common Types of Succulents
There are approximately 60 plant families that fall under the succulent category. In addition to Sempervivum, Cactaceae (cacti), Sedum and Haworthia, there are also several other popular families. You will find examples and images of popular types of succulents in each family. Find out what makes these plant families different and which one may fit your needs best.
Cactaceae (cacti)
There are many different types of succulents, but cacti have prickly spines that protect them. Due to their acclimation to the desert, they can survive both cold and heat without water.
types of snake plant From Southern Africa, Haworthia plants are small succulents. During the dry seasons, they are used to a lot of sun. Succulents of the Haworthia genus make up a large part of the succulent family, despite their small size.
Sedum
Succulents come in many shapes and sizes. The smallest are a few inches tall and the largest are three feet tall. Crassulaceae plants such as the jade plant of which Sedum is a member form the family of the Crassulaceae. Sun and water have no effect on them.
Sempervivum
Sempervivum succulents are recognized by their classic rosette shape. They come in many colors and some even flower. Despite their hardiness, these succulents are also frost resistant which is fitting for their name.
Succulent Care Tips
Even though succulents are tough as nails, they still require attention and love. You just need to remove the dead leaves at the bottom of the plant to keep it happy. Follow these guidelines to avoid a common plant care mistake to ensure you don't kill this hardy plant.
Succulents need at least 36 hours of direct sunlight per day for proper development. Put it in a location where it can receive plenty of sunlight, like a south or east facing window. It is very unlikely that too much direct sunlight can sunburn a succulent, but keep an eye out for unusual scorch marks. In
white on succulents to absorb more light, succulents that don't receive enough light may begin stretching their leaves outward.
Desert climate adaptations prevent succulents from requiring a lot of water. You should allow soil to dry completely before watering them again. Your plants may rot if their roots are not left to dry in between watering. It is possible that their soil will dry up much faster in a very hot environment and if they have an effective drainage system, they may need to be watered more often about every 23 weeks. Water them less if the weather is colder.
Since succulents are used to extreme temperatures, they can often survive at temperatures up to 4095 F. However, some of the more delicate varieties may need to be kept at a lower temperature range. Keeping the succulent at a specific temperature should be determined by how much water it receives.
Most succulents are not toxic. It is not uncommon to use succulents like Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear) and Aloe vera as ingredients in many delicious dishes. There are some succulent varieties, mainly cacti, that have spines that can puncture skin, so you should be aware of this. Succulents are generally not toxic to people or pets, but there are some varieties you should avoid if you have little ones or pets running around your house.
Soil and planters that have adequate drainage are best for succulents. Cacti soil as a base can then be topped with organic matter, peat moss, as well as larger pebbles and rocks, to make the soil drain more efficiently. In many cases, repotting is required at different times depending on how your plant grows and if you want to bring it indoors for the winter. Here's a guide to repotting a plant properly if your plant has outgrown its pot or you need a warmer environment for it.