Types Of Succulents: What They Are And How To Care For Them
MAY 31, 2022
Succulents are known far and wide as one of the most beautiful and easy to care for plant families out there. The way that they seamlessly and immediately boost the aesthetic of a space without much effort makes them an immensely rewarding plant companion.
This is what makes succulents such an incredibly attractive option when it comes to houseplants for many people. While the decision to adorn an area with a succulent is one that comes easily to many, there are still some choices that have to be made. Primarily, you must now decide which kind of succulent is best for both you and your lifestyle.
So Many Succulents To Enjoy
Adding a succulent to your room can offer you a variety of benefits, both physical and mental. Just some of these include:
- Boosting your mood
- Reducing levels of stress
- Purifying the air in a room
- Adding fresh oxygen to a space
- Elevate creativity and feelings of inspiration
- The act of nurturing a plant and helping it grow is profoundly fulfilling
The succulent plant family is one that has gained much renown and adoration for being both stunning out in nature as well as in a home environment. They are called “succulents” due to the nature of their water-storing method.
In order for succulents to stay hydrated even in harsh or arid climates, they absorb and maintain a great deal of water in their leaves or stems. This creates a very plump and healthy look, making them appear to be quite succulent.
This succulence and way of storing water for prolonged periods of time are exactly what makes this plant family so desirable to care for around the house. As they can survive in harsh environments, it stands to reason that they would also flourish in a much calmer and more hospitable place. Since they store water in their bodies, they do not require you to water them particularly often.
This makes them much simpler to care for than the average houseplant. Though there are a variety of plant species within the realm of the succulent family that need slightly different care, there are some good general rules to follow when it comes to caring for a succulent plant.
Check the soil around your succulent to assess its moistness. If you can still feel moisture around the plant, it does not need to be watered quite yet. However, if it feels dry it is time to rewater. Succulents also require a certain amount of sunlight per day to keep healthy and grow strong.
This generally is around half a day’s worth of sunlight, or six hours. Make sure to keep the plant in indirect sunlight, as rays that are too harsh can lead to sun damage for your succulent. Keep in mind that your plant will also need different amounts of water and light depending on the season and climate.
With all this in mind, let’s go over a few of the most popular different kinds of succulents on the market and how to care for them.
Cacti
We all know cacti as the spikey, proud plants we see miraculously growing in the desert, but did you know that they are actually a kind of succulent? Not only that, but they can make for wonderful houseplants.
What Is a Cactus?
Cacti are a smaller plant family inside of the succulent family. They are succulents because they store their water within their lovely green stem, allowing them to thrive in harsh desert climates.
Whereas many other kinds of succulents have leaves that let out a good amount of hydration, cacti have spines or scales. There is a perfect one out there for everyone, as there are 139 genera and nearly 2,000 species of cacti. Each of these varieties is still classified as succulents because cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti.
How Do You Care for Your Cactus?
When it comes to succulents and cacti especially, it is crucial not to overwater your plant. Cacti need much less water in the winter and much more water throughout the duration of the spring and summer.
Be sure to feel the surrounding soil to determine whether or not your cactus is in need of more water. Keep your cactus in a bright place where it can receive enough sunlight, but no light that is so harsh it could cause damage.
Agave Plants
Agave plants are a wildly popular variety of succulents, largely due to their lush and colorful nature. They are easy to care for, as all succulents are, but they add something absolutely beautiful to any space they are in.
What Is an Agave Plant?
Agave plants are technically succulents because of their luscious leaves where they store their water. These leaves are symmetrical in a way that is intensely eye-pleasing, making them a crowd-pleasing favorite.
There is also a great deal of variety in the size of agave plants, meaning they can perfectly fit any space you put them in. Agave plants can also vary in color somewhat depending on their climate.
How Do You Care for Your Agave Plant?
Agave plants thrive with sunlight. Be sure to give them a great deal of it while still avoiding overly strong rays that could be harmful. They require soil and planters with good drainage as they age. Water your agave plant when the surrounding soil is dry to avoid overwatering which can cause root rot.
Aloe Vera Plants
Aloe vera gel is known to provide a variety of healing properties when used topically on the skin. This, in addition to their beautiful greenery, makes them a beloved plant for many.
What Is an Aloe Vera Plant?
Aloe vera plants are beautifully lush and green, mostly made up of long leaves. These leaves have small spikes on the ends, making them even more visually appealing and fascinating. The benefits of aloe vera gel have been found to alleviate many skin ailments from dandruff to acne to rashes and more.
How Do You Care for Your Aloe Vera Plant?
Keep your aloe vera plant in a spot with lots of indirect sunlight. Try a window that faces either westward or southward to create an environment where your plant will get all the indirect light it needs.
Aloe vera generally should be watered between every two to three weeks in hotter months, and more rarely during the fall and winter. Again, check the soil around your plant to figure out if it is time to rewater.
Jade Plants
Finally, we have the noble and gorgeous jade plant. These beautiful specimens instantly enliven a space, making them a great choice for any office or living room.
What Is a Jade Plant?
Jade plants are renowned for their lovely oval-shaped leaves. When the plant is well cared for, these leaves appear full and fresh, meaning that they are storing all the water they require.
How Do You Care for Your Jade Plant?
Similar to other succulents, jade plants must be watered the correct amount and never overwatered. Overwatering can cause root rot and other fungi to harm your plant’s health. Jade plants also require a good amount of sunlight, so make sure that they have access to indirect light each day.
A Succulent Out There for Everyone
Succulents are endlessly stunning plants, but when you add in how easy they are to care for they become an easy choice. From there, considering which specific type of succulent to get can be daunting, but just remember to have fun during this exciting process. When you’re ready to buy a succulent, Lula’s Garden offers a beautiful variety of succulent plants to choose from.
Sources:
7 Benefits of Growing Succulents in Your Home | Succulents.net
