A Useful Guide To Know Everything On How To Take Care Of Succulents

Although our ancestors created a different world for us away from mother nature a long, long time ago, being around plants is an innate need in all of us. Studies have shown that looking at greenery for a few seconds can increase our focus and make us feel better, and that is why many homes and workplaces have indoor trees and plants for their several mental benefits. However, a lot of people have a busy schedule and hectic working hours, which make it hard to take good care of houseplants and keep them healthy so they resort to buying succulents as most of them require minimum maintenance and do not require frequent watering. If you are thinking about buying succulents, read on, as we will provide you with a useful guide to know everything on how to take care of them.

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How To Water Them 

Watering succulents can be very tricky, however, it should be the first thing you learn to be able to keep them alive and healthy. Never water them when the soil is moist or damp. When the soil is fully dry, then it is time to water them. You will need to observe your plants and see how long the soil takes to dry and water them accordingly. Bear in mind that not all of these plants are the same, as some might need watering every five days, while others every two weeks. Dry soil is your indicator that your succulent is ready for watering. If you get the outdoor options, it’s better to use a hose, but a pipette is best for the tiny indoor varieties. The containers must have drainage holes to avoid keeping water inside of them, which results in rotting the roots and killing the plant. Hydroponic systems are another thing to consider for growing succulents. When it comes to choosing the right hydroponic system, consider how much space you have available, think about the amount of succulents you will be growing, and if a custom or pre-made system will fit better into your home’s available space. The fertilizer ingredients in the hydroponic solution help ensure that the succulents receive all the essential nutrients necessary for growth. There really is no better way to introduce these beautiful and distinct plants into your garden or home than hydroponics!

Lighting

Succulents should not be kept in the same place during all seasons in locations with extreme weather because their skin is very sensitive and can’t survive extreme cold or intense heat. Take the outdoor plants inside your house if it is freezing cold outside. Some people resort to grow lights to substitute for the lack of natural light during cold seasons. However, if the temperature outside didn’t drop to freezing, you can keep them outside and just cover them with a frost cloth. As for hot seasons, it is better that you move them to a shady area to avoid sunburns.

Providing them with enough sunlight is very important to avoid having gaps between petals, weakening the steams, and losing their color. You can either put them in a place that allows six hours of direct sunlight or buys some grow lights to make up for it.

Signs To Look Out For

There are a few signs that indicate that your succulents are sick and need special care. Some of these red flags include:

  • Loss of color is an indicator that your succulent is not receiving enough light.
  • Mushy leaves mean that you’re overwatering, or the container needs more drainage holes.
  • Mold also is a sign of overwatering.
  • Wrinkled leaves mean that your plants are dehydrated.
  • Sunburns look like black masses or white spots on the plant, and they are an indicator that your plant is getting more sunlight than it needs.
  • If your plants look leggy, you need to provide them with more direct sunlight.

Soil

As mentioned above, succulents are low-maintenance plants. Therefore, even their soil doesn’t need any special fertilizers to help them grow. However, stay away from compact and clay-like soil because other than those two, succulents will grow in almost all types of outdoor soils. Add crushed granite or coarse grain sand to the soil if you notice that it retains too much water.

Bugs

When the soil is too wet, bugs get attracted to your succulents, however, you won’t face many bug problems if you keep your plants indoors. Yet, what if you do? A 70% isopropyl alcohol sprayer will do the trick. This way, you will get rid of the bugs and their eggs. To keep bugs away from your lovely succulents, avoid overwatering them and add more drainage holes to their containers if you think there aren’t enough holes to keep the roots dry.

There are many types, shapes, and colors of succulents that you can choose from. These lovely, low-maintenance plants can add warmth and positive energy to your home. However, they still need proper care. Make sure that you do not overwater your succulents to keep the roots healthy and dry and keep bugs away from them. Additionally, you need to provide them with enough light and protect them from extreme cold or heat. No matter how busy your day is, you can still have these lovely plants at home, as they require minimum effort to take care of them.

Krystal | Sunny Sweet Days
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