Succulents are a great way to spruce up your home’s decor without having to worry about watering or caring for them. They also make a wonderful gift as they can be hardy and long-lasting. But what do you need to know to grow them? Let’s explore some of the best hacks to growing succulents that will ensure that you have a healthy plant!
Give Them Light
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Succulents come from many different places and thrive in all kinds of light. The key is to place them by a window that gets either direct or indirect sunlight. If you don’t have access to such a window, invest in an artificial light source so your succulent has the energy it needs to grow. A great option is to choose LED grow lights to ensure that your succulent is getting the light it needs. These lights offer high-intensity light, which is helpful for succulents to get the nutrients they need. All plants need light because they convert the energy from sunlight into a nutritious substance. The warmth, intensity, and wavelength of solar light help them to grow well.
Water Them Regularly
Succulents are very resilient, but they do need to be watered regularly to thrive. Generally speaking, you’ll want to water your succulent once its soil becomes dry. You can compare this to the way you’d check if you have a dry towel, by checking the wetness of the soil. If it’s not damp, or if there are solid chunks in the dirt, then it’s time to water your succulent. Succulents are great with being glued to rocks and walls, but they don’t do well in water. If you have a succulent with roots that are floating in the water, don’t be alarmed. However, if they are still in their original pot then it’s time to take them out and let the soil drain off of them before popping it back into their new pot.
Know The Difference Between Cacti And Succulents
The main difference between cacti and succulents is the way they grow. Cacti are a type of succulent but their growth habits are different from other types of succulents such as Jade plants, Aloe, or Agave. Generally speaking, cacti will have thinner leaves that grow closer together to form a more spherical shape while succulents have more waxy leaves that grow further apart to form a fuller, bushier plant. Succulent plants are very low maintenance, but to ensure you have a healthy plant that lives for years, it does help if you know what you’re doing.
Be Selective About The Soil You Use For Your Succulent
Succulents thrive in all kinds of soil, but you must know what type of soil your succulent needs so you can make sure it stays healthy. Some succulents want dry, crumbly soil while others prefer wetter soil that is more damp and spongy to hold to plant. Do some research on what kind of soil your succulent prefers so you know how best to care for it. The soil needs to be well-draining so it can’t be waterlogged, but still needs to have a lot of nutrients to ensure your succulent has all the nutrients it needs to thrive. Soil is very important as you cannot put an Aloe Vera plant in the same soil you would put an Orchid.
Live In A High Humidity Location? Try A Succulent Terrarium
If you live in a high humidity location then a terrarium might be a great way for your succulent to thrive. You can place it anywhere that gets indirect sunlight all day long, or you can create a terrarium. This is an enclosed container that holds water inside the walls of the container so your succulent doesn’t have access to standing water, but it will still get all the humidity it needs to grow. A succulent terrarium can be made of any container you want, as long as it has a lid and can hold some water.
Use Chemicals, Only if Necessary
Chemicals in the form of fertilizers can be a great way to help your succulent grow. Depending on what kind of soil you use, you may need to add some extra nutrients so your succulent can grow strong and healthy. You want an all-purpose fertilizer that has nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus in it so your plant gets everything it needs for a healthy life. If your succulent is looking yellow and dull, then chances are it’s lacking the nutrients it needs to thrive.
The best way to ensure your succulent thrives is to know how much light they need, how often they should be watered, what kind of soil they prefer, and where they grow best. Once you have all that under control and follow these top hacks on how to grow your succulents, you should be able to have a thriving succulent in no time! Follow the tips above and your succulent will become stronger, healthier, and easier to care for. Happy planting!
