Succulents are drought-tolerant plants because they can retain water in their large, irregularly shaped leaves. Succulents have a broad variety of eye-catching shapes and textures, which provide any landscape aesthetic interest. Can succulents live outside? is an often asked question. The quick response is “yes”! Growing succulents outdoors is an excellent alternative because they do well there and can withstand some neglect. They also do well in sunny areas with warm, dry weather.
Succulents can be grown in the ground, in pots, or hidden in unexpected planting locations. Take the uncertainty out of caring for these wonderful conversation pieces with stunning foliage by reading our suggestions for growing succulents outside.
How are succulents maintained outside?
Succulents may not need much attention, but they do need a few essentials to survive:
- provide ample sunlight. Succulents require adequate light—at least six hours each day of direct sunlight.
- adequately irrigate.
- Use the appropriate container and soil mixture.
- Don’t overlook fertilizing.
- Look over your plants.
Can succulents spend the entire year outside?
The fact that many succulents can survive outside year-round, even in snowy climes, surprises a lot of people. We divide succulents into two categories—”hardy” and “soft”—to make it easier for you to choose the best one for your area.
- Hardy succulents: Tolerate frost and can endure temperatures below zero outside. They are perfect for outdoor gardening all year long. Hardy succulents actually thrive outside more than they do inside.
- Not frost-tolerant are soft types. Before temperatures drop below freezing at night, these types must be brought inside. On the other hand, when the warm, sunny weather returns, they are glad to go outside once more.
the USDA Grow Zone finder (based on minimum winter temperature). You may find a plant’s “Cold Hardiness” on the description of each one in our online catalog. If your zone number is equal to or higher than the plant’s, that variety can endure the entire year outdoors in your environment. The plant will need to be brought indoors before the fall temperatures start to drop if you live in a zone with a lower number than the Cold Hardiness of the plant.
Most of our plants are also sent with name tags that state the lowest temperature they can withstand for easy reference.
Zones 4 and higher are suitable for Sempervivum heuffelii’s growth, however zones 3 and lower are not.
Can succulents be kept in the sun outside?
Outdoor succulent cultivation might be beneficial to your plants. Succulents nearly always do better when left outside or given some outdoor time, even for brief periods of time, depending on the lighting, humidity, and temperature in your home. The following are some benefits of growing them outside:
a lot of daylight
The likelihood that your plants will receive enough sunlight is higher while growing outdoors. Some settings in your house might not have enough light to give your plants the sunshine they need, depending on the lighting conditions there. At least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight every day, or more, are necessary for succulents to thrive. Your plants will be exposed to the sun’s rays all day if you leave them outside, and you can nearly always count on them getting all the sunshine they require each day.
Rain Water
Your succulent plants will appear healthier, brighter, and much happier if you watch them after a nice rain. Your plants can benefit from the benefits of rainwater. They give your plants the essential nutrients and minerals they need while cleaning out and removing any unwanted buildup from tap water. By removing dust and other debris that can hinder photosynthesis, rainwater aids in the cleaning of plant leaves. When rain is predicted, I also prefer to move my container plants to locations where they may get a nice soaking from the rain. They will profit from the rainwater in this way. Collecting rainwater to use for later irrigation of plants and for watering indoor plants is a good idea.
The impact that precipitation had on my cactus plant was one of my biggest surprises. Last year, during the cold and rainy season, I worried about this cactus plant since I wasn’t sure if it would survive with all the wetness falling on it. This plant’s size doubled as it grew long and plump after the rains the previous year. Look at the dimpling where it developed and extended. Since then, I relocated this cactus plant, which you can see above in its own pot. It is then simpler to move and transport as necessary.
exposed to the elements of nature
To thrive, plants require fresh air. For breathing and photosynthesis, they require oxygen. A plant needs oxygen to grow. Over time, indoor plants may become oxygen-depleted from outside air, and noxious air may accumulate. Dust can build up on the leaves of indoor plants, obstructing the sunlight’s ability to reach the leaves and preventing the plants from breathing effectively. Plants will grow better if their leaves are kept clean and free of debris. Being outside also exposes plants to pollinators, which are essential to their survival in the wild, such bees and birds.
safeguarded against dogs and young children (and vice versa)
You can avoid the hassle of having to keep your pets and young children away from your plants by keeping them outside. Because they are naturally inquisitive, pets and young children might hurt your prized plants by trampling on them, leaping on them, treading on their pots, trampling on their leaves, etc. For a brief while, my young daughter would pick the leaves off of my plants. Thankfully, she quickly realized that this was very unacceptable and had broken the behavior.
In addition, some succulent plants can be poisonous to people and animals if consumed. Some succulents exude chemicals that are unpleasant or toxic to both people and animals. You can avoid the stress of worrying that your cherished pets will get hurt by eating or playing with your plants by keeping your succulents outside. Visit my post on “9 Succulent Plants Toxic To Cats, Dogs or Pets” to discover more about succulents that are toxic to animals.
Although there are numerous potential advantages to growing succulents outside, not everyone should do so. It’s also a good idea to be aware that keeping your plants outside exposes them to possible pests, insects, and animals that could harm them or spread illness.
Personally, I’ve planted succulents both inside and outside. My succulents do better outside because to my local climate and indoor lighting setup, though. Succulents can grow and flourish in a variety of conditions due to their extraordinary attributes and hardiness, which is part of their attraction and the reason we adore them so much.
Do you want to know where to buy succulents online? For suggestions, see my Resource Page.
Which succulent species may thrive outside?
Plant selection is the first step in growing an outdoor succulent garden. Start with simple, risk-free plants if you’re a beginner. Sedum and Sempervivum are simple to cultivate and can be placed in regions that are bright, sunny, or even slightly shaded.
Whatever plant species you select, succulents require soil that drains properly. They may survive in rocky areas, soils that are sandy or abrasive, and fissures and crevasses. In pots brought indoors during the winter, succulents in cool-season regions will thrive.
Aeonium, kalanchoe, aloe, and echeveria are good choices. Enjoy these plants’ distinctive sizes, shapes, and textures. To conserve water and add interest and color to a xeriscape region of the garden, use succulent outdoor plants.
Which is best for succulents, inside or out?
Succulents, however, are hardy plants that may thrive in a variety of conditions, including neglect, little access to water, fast-draining soil, and a steady source of sunshine.
It’s excellent if you live somewhere where the weather is just right for them to thrive outside.
But if you don’t, you’ll need to make some alterations and adjustments.
These bizarre plants have evolved to survive in the worst conditions, including the wettest climates, little to no soil, and the steepest slopes.
A variety of surprises, including vibrant edges, tips, or complete shifts in foliage color, can be found in the sunlight or the chilly outdoors.
When succulents are grown outside, the weather will determine and set off when the plants are dormant or active, depending on the species. On the other hand, when it warms up, that can cause new births, color changes, or blooming.
When it rains, should I bring my succulents inside?
Your succulents won’t actually be harmed by a little rain. In fact, it will aid in clearing the plant’s soil of any dirt and contaminants while also providing the necessary nitrogen to the succulents. On the other side, you should be concerned if the rain falls too frequently and heavily. Therefore, if you reside in a region where it frequently and strongly rains, remember to protect your succulent plants outside or, even better, move them within for safety, especially if;
- There are no drainage holes in your pots. If necessary, you can drill one yourself.
- Your succulents are placed in a metal or wooden container or planter. Remember that metal can rust both when it’s wet and when it’s dry. If this rust gets into the soil where your succulents are growing, it could damage the roots. On the other side, wood containers might decay, which will cause fungus and bacterial growth.
- The succulents are placed in a pot with a subpar or inappropriate soil mixture. Moving potted succulents indoors is the best option because they don’t have as much room for their roots to expand and acquire the nutrients they require during the rainy season as in-ground succulents do.
- Unless you have planned your outside garden with a great slope of well-draining soil, you live in a region where you get more than 25 to 30 inches of rainfall per year.
The rain assists in cleaning the plant’s soil of all the dirt and contaminants while also providing the necessary nitrogen for the succulents.
Do succulents survive the cold outside?
Yes, it is the answer. Although certain succulents can withstand frost, they are frequently thought of as drought-tolerant plants. They flourish in chilly, snowy conditions, and the extreme cold even brings out their magnificent, vivid colors. They are referred to as “Hard Succulents.” Sempervivum, Sedum, and Euphorbias genera contain some of the most hardy succulents. You may plant such succulents outside all year round because the majority of them can withstand temperatures as low as -20F (Hardiness Zone 5).
“Soft Succulents” are another group of succulents that are more susceptible to frost. When the weather drops below freezing, they must be winterized inside.
Where should I place succulent plants for greatest results?
Succulents thrive in hot, arid conditions and don’t mind a little neglect due to their unique capacity to store water. They are therefore ideally suited to growing indoors and are the perfect choice for anyone looking for low-maintenance houseplants. Follow these instructions for successful plant care if you’re choosing succulents for the first time.
Select a succulent that will thrive in your indoor environment.
The majority of succulents need direct sunshine, however if your home only has a shady area, choose low light-tolerant plants like mother-in-tongue. law’s A trailing variety, like string of bananas, is an excellent option if you intend to grow your succulent in a hanging planter. To learn about your succulents’ requirements for sunlight, size, and spread, always read the plant labels.
Give the plants a good draining potting material.
You should repot your succulent as soon as you get it home since nurseries always plant their succulents in soil that is overly rich and holds too much moisture. A coarse potting mix with sufficient drainage and aeration is a good place to start. You can use an African violet mix or unique cactus and succulent mixtures that you can purchase at the nursery. Add perlite or pumice to the cactus or African violet mix (up to 50% of the total potting mix, depending on your particular succulent’s moisture requirements) to further increase drainage and prevent compaction. To make sure the mixture is moist throughout, always moisten it before using.
Decide on a container.
When repotting, use a container that is at least 1 to 2 inches bigger than the nursery container and has a drainage hole. Avoid using glass containers (such mason jars or terrariums) for long-term potting since they prevent roots from breathing and over time may result in root rot. Place your plant inside the container and backfill with extra pre-moistened potting mix after filling the bottom one-third of the container with pre-moistened potting mix.
Put the succulent plant in a pot somewhere sunny.
Try to arrange your succulents close to a south or east-facing window because most succulents need at least six hours of sun each day. Insufficient sunlight may cause your succulents to become spindly or to extend toward the light.
Between waterings, allow the potting mix to dry out.
Overwatering succulents is the most common error people make with them. Watering more deeply but less frequently is preferable. Before the next watering, completely saturate the potting mix (while making sure the water drains out of the drainage hole properly). The plant can finally perish if the potting soil is left moist every day.
Succulents should be fertilized at least once a year.
Fertilizer works best for plants in the spring (when the days lengthen and new growth starts) and again in the late summer. Use a water-soluble, balanced fertilizer (such as 8-8-8 or 10-10-10) that has been diluted to half the strength indicated on the container. Since succulents are semi-dormant in the winter, there is no need to nourish them. Because they are not actively growing, they do not require the nutrient boost.
How frequently do succulents need to be watered?
During the months that are not winter, when the temperature is above 40 degrees, you should water your succulents every other week. You should only water your succulent once a month in the winter (when the temperature falls below 40 degrees), as it goes dormant at this period.
A few situations constitute an exception to this rule. Because their tiny leaves can’t hold as much water as other varieties with larger leaves, some varieties of succulents need to be watered more frequently. In the non-winter months, feel free to give these small leaf succulents a water if they appear to be thirsty. When they are thirsty, succulents generally exhibit a wrinkled appearance. But always keep in mind that being underwater is preferable to being overwater.