“Every gardener fantasizes about the perfect plant—one with an intriguing structure, lovely flowers, the ability to flourish in adversity, neighbors who gasp in amazement, and enough variety to keep you fascinated for a lifetime. Simply put, they are dreaming of a succulent. By Alice Quiros and Barbara Young, THE WORLD OF CACTUS & SUCCULENTS AND OTHER WATER-THRIFTY PLANTS
Any plant that stores water in juicy leaves, stems, or roots to resist recurring droughts is considered a succulent, strictly speaking. Succulents have smaller leaves, which reduces transpiration, the loss of water vapor through the tiny pores on the leaf known as stomata. Other water-efficient succulents, like jatrophas and dioscoreas, respond to a scarce water source by having a short growing season, extending their period of leafless dormancy, and storing very occasional rainwater in their bulbous base. Practically speaking, cultivators of succulents avoid fleshy species like epiphytic orchids and include numerous non-fleshy desert plants (yuccas, puyas) in their garden collections.
The majority of succulents are native to warmer, semi-arid or desert regions of the planet. South Africa and Mexico are two relatively significant providers. Some succulents are native to cooler regions, where they thrive on sunny ledges and rocky slopes. Some succulents make wonderful ground covers, while others can be used to build patterns in small gardens or to be planted in between stepping stones. A lot of succulents feature colorful flowers. Large-growing succulents are frequently employed in landscape design as significant focus pieces.
What distinguishes a succulent from a cactus? The word “cactus” refers to a vast family of succulent plants. The characteristics that separate a succulent from a cactus are small patches on the epidermis carrying clusters of spines or hairs, known as areoles. All cacti are indigenous to the Americas, from Canada to Argentina, where they can be found in deserts, wet jungles, high mountains, or even at sea level. Many originate from the arid regions of the American West. Euphorbia are cacti-like succulents that contain spines in place of areoles in pairs on the angles of their ribs. Our knowledge is further clouded by THE WORLD OF CACTUS & SUCCULENTS AND OTHER WATER-THRIFTY PLANTS: “Although it is occasionally asserted, spines are not what set cacti and succulents apart from other plants. There are prickly succulents that are not cacti as well as non-prickly cacti. Other succulents, despite having spines, lack the areoles (spine cushions) found in cacti. Plants are grouped into families according to their reproductive systems rather than exterior traits like leaf shape, flower color, habitat, or even degree of prickliness.
Cactus family members can have stems in the form of joints, pads, or cylinders that can store water during dry spells. The majority of species have spines to defend plants from animals that browse on them, and their thick skin decreases evaporation. In order to draw pollinators, flowers are typically large and colorful; fruit can also be colorful and occasionally edible to both humans and many desert animals. Cacti can grow as tall as 50 feet, or as short as a few inches. Larger species are used by gardeners to design desert landscapes. Smaller cacti have interesting shapes and vivid flowers that are ideal for flower pot or rock garden development. Smaller species are raised in containers or, if they are hardy enough, in rock gardens. Numerous low-maintenance succulents make beautiful indoor or greenhouse plants.
The amount of sunlight that succulents need depends on the growing circumstances in their native environments. Succulents typically need bright light, however some prefer direct sunlight. However, a lot of well-known succulents are indigenous to regions with less harsh weather and sunlight than the Sonoran Desert. Large specimens for landscaping need full sunlight and well-drained soil to flourish. Plant succulents that cannot tolerate full sun in areas that benefit from the filtered sunlight offered by nearby native trees or shrubs. Some of the native cacti of the Southwest thrive in the open space beneath a shrub or desert tree. A succulent plant’s surface tissue will turn yellow if it gets too much sun. If you don’t give shade or relocate the plant to a better area, the tissue will become brown, signifying that there has been lasting harm. For the optimum temperature control and sunlight exposure, many gardeners maintain their succulents in pots that can be moved around the house throughout the year.
Leaf cuttings are an easy way to multiply the majority of succulents. The idea is that as the tiny cuttings grow at different rates and become less attractive as a group, they will be separated and replanted. This practice is known as mass planting of succulent cuttings. Although you can mix a variety of succulents, you must carefully examine how well they get along. The needs for mature size, water, and temperature might differ substantially.
Use a soil mixture that dries quickly, such as two to three parts pumice and one part potting soil. Cacti that have just been planted need to be watered carefully since the roots could rot before they start to grow. When new roots begin to grow, water the soil well. After the earth has dried, water once more. Fall is the time to cut back on watering so that plants can go dormant. For a good display, feed and water these plants well in the summer; cut down the fertilizer in the fall to promote winter dormancy.
How are succulents maintained in the desert?
It’s not quite as simple to grow succulents as everyone claims. Here are a few ideas that can guarantee your success.
Do you hang your head in shame if we claim that succulents are the easiest plants to grow? I promise you’re not alone. Succulents follow their own set of rules but are nonetheless quite simple to take care of because they are plants that have evolved to thrive in severe conditions and for extended periods without much water. To maintain your succulent kids healthy and living, use the advice in the following section.
Desert succulents: what are they?
The ability of succulent plants to conserve water is a significant advantage in an arid ecosystem. They can survive in regions with high temperatures and little rainfall because to several adaptations.
All cacti are succulents, and due to their numerous physical adaptations, they can all live in the desert. They swiftly capture rainwater thanks to roots that are close to the soil’s surface. The stem expands in rainy weather and shrinks in dry conditions. The dry, hot summer is when the green stems photosynthesize. Due of the waxy skin, less water is lost through transpiration. The spines break up wind currents, offer protection, and offer shade. Native Americans used cacti for a wide range of purposes, including as food, medicine, colors, and tools.
Despite the fact that all succulents are cacti, not all cacti are succulents. Agave, sotol, and yucca are a few more non-cacti succulents that can be found in the Monument. Here is further information about this species.
Why do succulents grow in desert areas?
A excellent approach to incorporate plants indoors in dry and heated environments is with succulents for the interiors of desert dwellings. Succulents are an excellent option for extra beauty and ease of maintenance due to their juicy leaves and stems. Some of our current Greater Palm Springs clients, including Vintage Country Club, Big Horn Country Club, Embassy Suites, and numerous upscale houses in the region, showcase the beauty of succulents indoors.
The possibilities for planting indoor plants in gorgeous combinations of colors and shapes are limitless, whether they are planted alone or together. Succulents come in a wide range of colors, including pink, blue-green, white, bright green, and many others. A range of morphologies, including spikey, spherical, tall, leaves draping, spiral, and rosettes, are also present. A place can be filled with the ideal artistic touch and become a haven of calm and well-being with the ideal potted variety.
The majority of indoor spaces are dry and heated because of the desert. Succulents can endure conditions that are too dry for other indoor plants to thrive because they have unique water-storage tissues. The best soil for these plants is one that quickly drains so they can get the necessary drying off between waterings. There are many options available for minimal to high lighting needs. Keep them away from drafty doors and away from any chilly windows throughout the winter.
Have You Heard? Cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are succulents. Cacti and succulents can both hold water, so they have that in common. Areoles, however, which allow a cactus to produce spines, branches, and flowers but not succulents, distinguish a cactus from a succulent. On the cactus’ body, the areoles typically resemble little, fluffy lumps that resemble cotton.
Here are 4 succulents that are low maintenance and stunning in an indoor desert setting.
THE BURRO’S TAIL It thrives in medium to high light and looks best hanging from a basket or trailing over a big container. This succulent is native to Mexico. These succulents have an appearance that is reminiscent of a bushy burro’s tail due to their overlapping gray-green or gray-blue leaves. They can get as big as three feet long! Keep the soil dry throughout the plant’s dormant season in the winter. Use a fertilizer with the ratio 10-10-10 once during the summer. The burro’s tail should be kept out of the way because even a mild touch might cause the leaves to come off.
Echeveria and Sempervivum Tectorum both go by the nickname “hens-and-chicks.” Although they are closely related, they do differ slightly.
shapes. Both generate “Small, identical chicks that are slightly offset from their mother (the hen). Both grow as rosettes, but Sempervivum tectorum has varied flowering patterns and leaves that tend to be flatter and more pointed. Pink star-shaped flowers are produced by individual Sempervivum tectorums on plants that pass away after flowering. However, because they generate so many offsets, the loss is barely noticeable. Sempervivum is the Latin term for “ever existing
Thick leaves in rosettes of white, pale pink, and blue can be found on echeveria succulents. They can be mixed in a single pot or arranged in a bouquet of succulents, although they only grow to be a few inches high and wide. Make sure that no water collects in the rosettes because it could cause it to decay.
Between waterings, these succulents should have a tiny chance to dry out. Rot is a result of overwatering. During winter dormancy, water is scarce. With a balanced fertilizer of 10-10-10, it is ideal to fertilize three times in the summer. Water is present at the plant’s base. Although these succulents may appear hardy, they can quickly be scarred if water reaches their foliage or if they are bumped.
IRON PLANT (Crassula ovata) The jade plant is stunning and simple to grow. This South African native has robust stems, large, glossy green leaves that are tinged scarlet, and a long lifespan. It makes a superb feature for any place thanks to the lovely stems and color.
Between irrigations, the soil must entirely dry out. However, do not wait until the leaves start to pucker or lose their luster, as this only indicates that they are under stress and may start to drop their leaves. An overwatered jade will undoubtedly die. If the plant is consistently overwatered, it will fold over in a weeping position.
Terracotta pots work well for jade plants since they allow for optimum soil ventilation. Additionally, it aids in balancing a top-heavy plant. Repotting is typically not required due to its limited root system. Use a cactus mix or well-draining potting soil when repotting. During the summer, only use 10-10-10 fertilizer and apply it three times. Jades can seem more symmetrical by being pruned, and the cut branch or leaf can be planted to make a new jade.
Palm Ponytail (Beaucarnea recurvata) Ponytail palms, also known as elephant feet or ponytail palms, are another really lovely plant that adds an artistic touch to homes. It resembles palm trees, even though it isn’t one at all, with feathery mops of curled, strap-like green leaves resting on a trunk that looks like leather. Because it stores water in the base of the trunk, which causes it to enlarge and resemble a swollen bulb, the plant is a succulent. This makes it the ideal indoor plant because it needs less water.
Before watering, the soil must almost fully dry up, and it thrives in low humidity. Ponytail palms prefer hot temperatures and bright light, like their native regions in the southwest of the United States and Mexico. They also like direct sunlight if at all feasible. However, it can adjust to moderate light. Water less frequently if put somewhere cooler. This plant requires fertilization around once a year using a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10. It grows slowly, reaching heights of 12 to 20 feet indoors. Repotting may be necessary to prevent the plant from toppling over as it grows since it can become top-heavy for its container.
Can succulents withstand intense heat?
Don’t allow the hot, harsh sun hurt your succulents! Unlike frost (temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower), heat normally poses no threat to succulents. The majority of plants can tolerate temperatures higher than you’re comfortable with, as shown by greenhouse temperatures that rise into the triple digits on hot days, despite the fact that some don’t seem to thrive in temperatures above 80 or 90 degrees F. Succulents, though, can succumb to heat and sunlight. All smooth-leaved succulents, excluding desert cacti and agaves, require sun protection in the summer, especially when the temperature rises beyond 80 degrees.
If you live in an arid climate ~
- Identify the sun’s position relative to your property. In North America, plants growing on the north side of your house will receive the least solar exposure while those growing on the south will receive the most. My garden, which faces east, receives early sunlight and midday shade. West-facing gardens receive early shade and afternoon sun.
- When temperatures are at their highest in the middle of the day, “bright shade” (no direct sun but not deep shade) is great for non-desert succulents. For low-light succulents like haworthias, bright shade is needed. Visit our website’s Shade Succulents page to learn more. View my video about Shade Succulents.
Above: Although robust, the echeverias on the left in the brilliant shade have lost their color. The borders of those exposed to more sun are red, but they are smaller due to some stress.
- Keep track of where each new plant you purchase was situated in the nursery. Was it in the open or covered by a tarp? It will need to be “hardened off” (shaded, especially in the afternoon) until it acclimates, even if it is a “full sun” succulent like an agave. This kind of exposure is like tanning: Start with 30 minutes of sun, then gradually increase it by about an hour per day.
- Aloes and crassulas need at least a half-worth day’s of sun to turn red and orange, but not so much that the tips of the leaves shrivel or burn. (Read “How to Stress Succulents and Why You Should. “).
Above: Dryness and heat stress this jade (Crassula ovata). To maintain its life, the plant is gently draining its leaves. However, leaves will be plump and greener after irrigation or rain (which could take months).
- Cover exposed, horizontal stems of trailing succulents (aloes, senecios, othonna, and the like) with dry leaves or mulch to prevent burnt stems from impairing the ability of the plants to transfer moisture from roots to leaves.
- Use floating row covers (preferably), shade cloth, old sheets, or temporary shade structures to protect newly installed plants and in-ground succulents prone to sunburn. I employ rusty window screens. In an emergency, place upright leafy tree trimmings next to a plant you wish to preserve, on the side that receives the most sunlight. Or, in keeping with the sun’s movement throughout the day, use outside furniture.
Above: Aloe brevifolia, a stunning but stressed plant, has closed its rosettes and changed color from blue to pink.
- Learn how plants defend themselves. When the sun becomes unpleasant, succulents can’t flee to the shade, so some species create their own. Succulents with rosettes, such dudleyas, aeoniums, and some types of aloe, close their rosettes to save their critical cores. Lower leaves that become dry but don’t drop off serve a service by protecting flimsy stems from the sun in the summer and the cold in the winter.
- Where shade will be needed during the long, hot summer afternoons, plant trees and plants. (The Companion Plants chapter in Designing with Succulents, 2nd ed., has information on low-water cultivars suitable for succulent gardens.)
What sunburn looks like
The floppy leaves of this agave stretch (and weaken) the cells in those areas that are most exposed to sunlight.
Succulents with white, beige, or black patches have been sunburned, which causes irreparable cell damage comparable to frost. The plant is alright, but scars will endure just as long as the leaf.
These aeoniums generally have sunburn on the underside of their lowest leaves, which they will shed in a few months anyhow. Very effective, wouldn’t you say?
Several months later, the same aeoniums. Only a few scorched leaves are still visible.
It is preferable if the damaged parts are on the outer leaves because fresh growth from the rosette’s center will eventually cover up burnt spots. In any event, lower leaves naturally wither and fall off, damage or not. Recovery from a sunburn could take several months to a year, depending on the succulent and the time of year.
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A heat wave shouldn’t ruin your succulents. Succulents that are exposed to the scorching sun may burn when a heat wave follows cool weather. The beige or brown patches that develop as a result of sunburn cannot be removed. [Read more…]
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