How not to kill succulents

Succulents can be a beautiful addition to a garden or can be grown indoors. Succulents are not like other plants, though, and you need to know how to handle them to avoid killing them. Here are some tips that will keep your succulents alive and healthy throughout the year.

1. General succulent care tips
2. Caring for indoor succulents
3. Succulents for different Australian climates
4. Caring for succulents in tropical areas
5. Experimenting with succulents

General succulent care tips

Succulents can thrive outdoors, but they need special treatment in order to thrive. When planting succulents outdoors, remember to:

• Give them at least half a day's worth of sun
• Do not overwater succulents
• Succulents require a well drained soil
• Succulents do not require much fertiliser

Succulents like sunlight, so find a place where they can get at least a half day's worth of sun. More sun would be preferable, but they should at least get morning or afternoon sun. Since succulents retain water, they shouldn't be overwatered. Let the soil dry out before watering succulents and when you do water them, give them enough water to reach the roots.

Aloe Vera

Succulents don't do well in moist soil, so it's a good idea to place them in well drained soil. If you're planting them in pots, make sure the pot can drain easily and you may want to put pebbles in the bottom of the pot to ensure water drains out of the pot.

Unlike other plants, succulents do not need much fertiliser. Using a little fertiliser once a month when watering may be all they need, but keep it to a minimum.

Caring for indoor succulents

Indoor succulents can thrive, but like outdoor succulents, they need sunlight to survive and sunlight might be hard to find indoors. Not all succulents can thrive indoors. Some succulents that can thrive in low light include:

• Aloe vera
• Crown of thorns
• Echeveria
• Jade plant
• Panda plant
• Zebra plant

Aloe vera needs sunlight and may be best planted near a kitchen window or other window that gets plenty of sunlight. Crown of thorns is a flowering plant and can produce flowers throughout the year. Echeveria is best grown in a pot that is not glazed because water can evaporate through the pores of an unglazed pot and it prefers full sunlight. Jade plants should not be overwatered and should only be watered when the soil is dry. Panda plants should be watered just enough to keep the leaves from shrivelling. Zebra plant doesn't need too much sunlight or water, but should get a little sunlight every day.

Any succulent you plant indoors will be in a pot. It's always a good idea to put some pebbles in the bottom of the pot so water can drain. You may also want to place a container under the pot when you water, but be sure to remove the container or pour out the water after watering.

Succulents for different Australian climates

Not all succulents will thrive in some climates. Succulents that grow well in subtropical climates include:

• Century plant (Agave attenuata)
• Pigface (Carpobrotus glaucenscens)
• Jade plant (Crassula ovata)
• Aloe vera
• Fire sticks (Euphorbia tirucalli)

Jade Plant

In a colder climate, some succulents that can thrive include:

• Red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora)
• Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum spp.)
• Upright myrtle sponge (Euphorbia rigida)
• Broadleaf stonecrop (Sedum spathulifoliam)
• Queen Victoria agave (Agave victoriae-reginae)

These succulents are native to colder climates in Mexico, Europe and the United States. While they grow in deserts, deserts can become very cold in winter and especially at night. These succulents can be grown in colder Australian climates including mountainous regions.

Hens and Chicks

Some Australian climates have cold winters and dry summers. The plants mentioned above can be ideal for these climates because they grow naturally in cold winters and dry summers. Remember to water them during the dry season. Avoid overwatering and follow the drainage rules outlined above.

Some succulents can tolerate frost. Sempervivums (Hens and Chicks) and Stonecrop Sedums are two succulents that are frost tolerant.

Caring for succulents in tropical areas

Most succulents are not native to tropical areas. However, they can be grown in tropical areas. Two types of succulents that can grow in tropical areas include Sedum (Stonecrops) and Senecio. Senecio are more varied than Sedums and many produce flowers. Sedums only grow to a height of about 100mm and can be beautiful ground cover plants and some produce flowers.

Senecio vulgaris

If you live in a tropical area, choose succulents that can thrive in your climate and remember not to overwater them or put them in poorly drained soil. This can be particularly important in a tropical area because the air is moist and succulents do not require much watering and can absorb moisture from the air.

Some "ice plants" can grow in tropical climates. Ice plants are generally low growing, but can cover a wide area. One type that can grow in a tropical area is "Strong Red" (Delosperma "Strong Red"). It can grow in full or partial sun and as the name suggests, it produces "strong red" flowers.

A smaller succulent that can grow in a tropical climate is "Campfire" (Crassula capitella "Campfire"). It has propellor-like leaves that start out as green, but become red as the plant matures. It is called "Campfire" because it resembles a campfire when mature.

Experimenting with succulents

You may have to do some experimenting with succulents, but eventually you will find the right amount of light for them and the right amount of water. It is possible to underwater succulents, too, so remember to let the soil dry out, but don't leave it too long. Water your succulents when the soil is dry and make sure the water gets to the roots.

Queen Victoria agave

It's worth experimenting with succulents because they can be beautiful plants that look great in a garden or indoors. Just remember to buy succulents that are suited for indoor use or outdoor use in your climate. They will thrive better and you will be able to experiment with them and make them look their best.