It’s not surprising that succulents have become some of the most loved houseplants out there. They’re affordable, easy to care for, and in-style. Plus, with so many different varieties, they’re also really fun to collect. If you’re planning to modernize the look of your Louisville home or office by adding a few succulent plants, take a moment to look over this quick guide to indoor succulent care from the experts at Nanz & Kraft Florists.
How Succulents Differ from Other Green Plants
The primary difference between succulents and other plants is their thick, rubbery leaves. Succulents have adapted to live harsh, arid environments where rainfall is scarce. As a result, they’ve developed unusual structures that help them store water inside their leaves, stems, and roots.
Why Succulents Are the Best Houseplants
Succulents are a fun, upbeat decor piece to use inside. They also help generate a calm atmosphere with positive energy that improves focus and productivity. In addition, succulents are fantastic for the indoor environment. Their roots pump air into the soil. When harmful chemicals like VOCs reach their roots, they convert the harmful chemicals into nutrients. In addition to eradicating indoor air pollution, succulents also replenish the air by emitting fresh oxygen.
Popular Succulent Varieties
Echeveria
Echeveria succulents are some of the most commonly used in succulent gardens. They’re also lovely on their own. Echeveria succulents have a classic rosette silhouette but grow in a variety of colors such as shades of pink, red, green, and even black. With their striking appearance, echeveria succulents are often used as stunning accent pieces in bouquets and boutonnieres. If you receive an echeveria in a cut floral piece, don’t toss it out. It will sprout roots if you plant it, and you’ll be able to enjoy its beauty for years to come.
The Succulent
Echeveria
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoes are some of the most cheerful-looking succulents out there. They have broad, bright-green leaves and bloom with large clusters of petite flowers in shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, and white.
Orange Kalanchoe
Sedums
There are a slew of different sedum succulents to choose from. They’re usually used to as ground cover to fill out succulent gardens because they grow and spread quickly. Some sedums grow in clusters of small rosettes, while others build up in columns of leaf segments.
Blue Sedum
Log Succulent Garden
How to Cultivate Healthy Indoor Succulents
Succulents are perfect for busy people, those lacking green thumbs, and people who travel frequently because they’re super easy to care for and basically thrive on neglect. Succulents rarely need to be watered, and they don’t need pruning. (Although dead leaves should be removed to prevent bacterial growth.)
Succulent – Green Graptoveria
Pot succulents in a container that drains easily and use low-nutrient soil that’s formulated for cacti or succulents. Place them in a sunny location and rotate the pot periodically to encourage even growth. Succulents should only be watered when the pot’s soil has dried out completely. Soak the soil thoroughly, allow water to drain, and never let succulents sit in standing water.
You’ll know a succulent is struggling to stay healthy if its leaves start turning yellow or brown. This usually indicates over-watering, but can also be a sign of extreme thirst. Check the soil and contact an expert at Nanz & Kraft Florists for help.
