How to Care for Succulents: 5 Tips

How to Care for Succulents: 5 Tips

There are many different types of succulents, each with their own unique shape and color. Some succulent species include jade plants, cacti, and aloe, which can be grown both indoors and outdoors. 

Succulents are low-maintenance and make a sturdy houseplant, and succulent care is simple once you know how. 

Here's how to unpack your succulents properly:

1. When unpacking your succulent plant, be careful not to break any of the leaves.

2. When leaves are covered with loose soil, a light brushing or watering will remove it.

3. If your plants are stretched or faded, gradually transition them into brighter light, and they will recover.

4. You can simply pull off any unwanted leaves at any time.

5. If pots come in a plastic carrier tray, remove the pots from the tray within a few days.

6. Plants can be planted immediately or left in their original plastic pots for up to two or four weeks.

While succulents don't require much attention, they do require the following to thrive:

1. Provide enough sunlight

Succulents require enough light—at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. If you have outdoor succulents, it can be quite simple. If you've got an indoor succulent, it will need to be sunned in a window. A plant that is leaning in toward the light is not getting enough sunlight, whereas a plant with burn spots on its leaves is getting far too much direct sunlight.

2. Water properly

It's important to know when and how much to water succulents in order to keep them healthy and happy. Water them whenever their soil dries out completely during the growing season, and don't give them too much at once. Succulents go dormant during the winter months, so you can water them less often then. Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes people make with succulents, so remember: only water as needed!

3. Make sure you use the right pot and soil mixture

It's crucial to choose the right container and potting soil when planting a succulent. Your succulent pot must have a drainage hole for an outdoor succulent. Good drainage allows moisture to escape, keeping roots and soil dry and preventing rot. If you own an indoor succulent, you could use well-draining soil, which would be coarser than regular soil and allow more air to flow through while promoting evaporation instead of requiring drainage. Certain potting mixes can benefit from the addition of perlite and pumice to improve aeration.

4. Don't forget to fertilize

If you're growing succulents, you can give them a boost by fertilizing them on a regular basis. To do so, use a diluted, water-soluble all-purpose fertilizer only a few times a year. It's not completely necessary to fertilize your succulents, but if you notice that your soil could use some help, add some fertilizer.

5. Keep an eye on your plants

Pest attacks on succulents are more likely to occur indoors than outside. Examine your plants on a regular basis to ensure that they are free of gnats or mealy bugs, which indicate that they have been over watered or over fertilized.

Mealy bugs feed on their host plant's juices and can lay hundreds of eggs, causing long-term damage to the plant. Mealy bugs and their eggs can be killed with rubbing alcohol. If you bring a succulent home from a nursery, inspect the leaves and soil first to ensure you don't bring pests with you.

That's it! Thanks for reading. I hope you found this blog post helpful. Have a great day/evening!

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