Let’s now examine the most popular succulents that you can grow at home. I’ll also provide the ideal environmental parameters for these succulents’ growth at the same time.
: Jade Plant
The money plant, also known as the jade plant, is very low maintenance and has a very long existence. Even if some people think the plant is outdated, it’s still one of the most common succulents, even though it was more well-liked in the past than it is now. The plant is said to bring good luck.
These succulents have a very long lifespan. Their lifespan ranges from 70 to 100 years on average. Consequently, if you develop this plant while you are young, you can anticipate it to do the same. Indeed, some claim that these succulents have a longer lifespan than humans.
You must provide them with the proper care if you want them to live this long.
These plants would adore being exposed to direct sunlight for at least four hours. Additionally, frequent watering is necessary to keep the soil moist (not wet).
The soil should be well-drained, and temperatures should range from 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Jade plants thrive in warm, tropical climates. Indoors will be the best setting for them if it’s winter.
Simply utilize artificial lighting and modify the climate where they would develop. Do not overwater them either.
: Hens And Chicks
A succulent plant called “hens and chicks” is indigenous to Southern Europe and Northern Africa. Due to its small size, it is most likely referred regarded as the cutest succulent.
The plant’s actual structure served as the inspiration for the name Hens and Chicks. The larger base serves as the mother plant, and the smaller bases are her chicks.
Hens and chicks live an average of three years or more. And if you want them to live longer than three years, you must take excellent care of them.
One of the easiest succulents to maintain, it’s even ideal for people who live in moderate climates. They may also be the only succulent plant capable of withstanding both frost and snow.
lack sufficient soil to plant them? It’s all right. because rock gardens may support hens and chicks. However, if you choose, they can also flourish in flowerbeds. Although they might require direct sunshine, they can withstand being in the shade.
As long as you don’t provide them with too much water, they are not picky about their surroundings. Soil that drains quickly is crucial.
: Aloe Vera
Because of its numerous advantages, the aloe vera plant ranks among the most popular succulents. The thick leaves have a gel inside that is renowned for its numerous medicinal properties.
In 3–4 years, aloe vera reaches maturity. And with the proper care, it can survive up to 12 years and grow to be between 60 and 100 cm tall during this period. Although the plant exists in many different types, the care they require and its lifespan are essentially the same.
Although these plants adore the sun, prolonged exposure to it could cause them to burn. Although it thrives at room temperature, it can endure cooler temperatures. Additionally, avoid overwatering them.
Prior to adding more water, let the soil dry up. The Aloe Vera does best in well-drained soil, much like any other succulent.
: Barrel Cactus
One of the succulents with an extremely long lifespan is likely the barrel cactus. The shortest lifespan for these succulents is 50 years, but in their optimal environments, they can live for centuries.
They received their name because they resemble barrels, and their spines can come in a variety of colors.
These succulents, which are known to thrive in desert environments, would benefit from being placed in a sunny, bright area. However, avoid putting it in direct sunlight as it could burn. Additionally, in well-drained soil, they will flourish, just like any other succulent.
Keep your use of water to a minimum. Watering should be done once per week during the summer and less frequently during the winter. If at all possible, refrain from watering again until the soil is entirely dry.
: Living Stones
A succulent that is native to South Africa is called Living Stones or Lithops. One of the strangest succulents, they may initially appear to be pebbles, hence their name. But in their natural environment, this appearance serves to protect them.
With the correct care, this plant can survive up to 50 years. And because they require very little upkeep, you wouldn’t have to worry about this.
Low humidity is ideal for growing Living Stones, and they require very little watering. Some claim that other than placing them in an area with strong sunshine, you don’t need to give them any thought at all. They can also be exposed to direct sunshine, but only for around four to five hours.
The greatest soil you can give them is one that drains well. This prevents water from being able to collect and making the plant die sooner than it should.
: Christmas Cactus
Brazil is home to the popular succulent known as Christmas Cactus. It creates gorgeous flowers for homes, including red, pink, white, and other hues. If properly cared for, it can live for 20 or more years on average.
The only issue is that these succulents are not the simplest to maintain. They should never drink too much water.
It’s time to water them once more when the earth feels dry on top. Use only well-drained soil when growing them in a pot with drainage holes.
To encourage their growth, use some fertilizer. Add a shallow basin of water to the room throughout the winter to help humidify the dry air.
They enjoy being placed somewhere bright, but never put them directly in the sun to prevent their leaves from being burned.
: Crown Of Thorns
The succulent plant Crown of Thorns, commonly known as Euphorbia, has thorns on its stems. Large, multicolored flowers of many types are produced by it. This plant is simple to grow indoors and has a lifespan of up to 25 years.
They require at least three to four hours of sunlight each day and enjoy being put close to a window that is sunny.
They can even survive through the winter and summer seasons and thrive in room temperature.
These plants should only be watered in the spring and late fall when the soil is at least an inch from the surface dry. Wait until the soil is at least 2-3 inches below the surface dry before planting in the winter.
To prevent water from pooling on the pot, use a pot with drainage holes and well-drained soil.
: Echeveria
The succulent plant Echeveria is renowned for its stunning display of evergreen foliage. Additionally, they are among the most well-liked varieties of succulents used in floral arrangements and terrariums. They are lovely additions to homes and available in a variety of hues.
You must provide these succulents the proper care and growing circumstances so that they can survive for three years to several decades. Even novice gardeners may easily care for echeveria.
Echeverias require a lot of light to flourish. It must be exposed to direct sunshine for four to five hours at the very least.
To prevent burning the leaves, don’t let it remain longer than that. The soil should drain well and not require excessive watering.
This plant is a great option if you reside in a warm climate. They prosper in hot, dry environments. They can’t stand the cold, and an excessive amount of humidity will kill them.
How are succulents maintained indoors?
Succulents may not need much attention, but they do need a few essentials to survive:
- 1. Provide plenty sunlight. Succulents require adequate light—at least six hours each day of direct sunlight. Maintaining succulents outside can be quite simple. However, if you have a succulent indoors, you must keep it in direct sunlight near a window. A plant that is slanting toward the light is not receiving enough sunlight, yet a plant with burnt areas on its leaves is receiving too much direct sunshine.
- 2. Use proper water. Depending on the season, succulents might have different water needs. Succulents should be irrigated if their soil dries completely during the growing season, but excess water should be avoided. When a succulent’s roots have time to dry out in between waterings, its lifespan is increased. In the chilly winter months, succulent plants go dormant and require less water. Only water your succulent as often as necessary because overwatering the soil is one of the main reasons of most development problems.
- 3. Use the proper soil and pot combination. The appropriate container and potting soil can make all the difference, whether you’re growing your own succulents or purchasing one from a nursery. Your succulent planter needs to include a drainage hole if it is going to be an outdoor succulent. Proper drainage allows moisture to escape, allowing the soil and root systems to dry and prevent rot. Use well-draining soil instead of standard dirt if you have an indoor succulent. It is coarser than regular soil, enabling more air to pass through and encouraging evaporation rather than requiring to be drained. To increase aeration, perlite and pumice can be added to some potting mixtures.
- 4.Remember to fertilize. The periodic fertilizing is beneficial for even low maintenance desert plants. To give your succulents a boost, use a diluted, water-soluble all-purpose fertilizer a couple times a year. Although it’s not entirely required, if you notice that your soil needs some help, add a little fertilizer.
- 5. Examine your plant life. Pest hazards are more likely to affect a succulent indoors than outside. Make sure your plants are periodically checked for gnats or mealy pests. These insects are a sign that your plants are receiving too much water or fertilizer. Mealy bugs can lay hundreds of eggs and consume the plant juices that serve as their host, gradually harming your plant. Rubbish alcohol can be sprayed on your succulent’s leaves or soil to effectively kill mealy bugs and their eggs. Check the leaves and soil of the succulent before bringing it home from the nursery to make sure no bugs are present.
Succulents, do they live forever?
Please note that some of the links on this page may be affiliate links. I may receive a commission if you click an affiliate link and buy something. I make money from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate. —
Slow-growing and seemingly eternal, succulents. You’ve kept that uninteresting little cactus on your windowsill for as long as you can remember, but of course that can’t possible be the case. They simply live so long that we assume they have been around forever.
How can you determine the age of a succulent?
AskGardening is funded by its readers. By utilizing the links on this website to make purchases, we might receive a commission. Study more.
Do not be deceived by a cactus’ little stature. A football-sized one can easily be older than 20 years old, while one the size of a ping pong ball can be only 3 years old.
Cactus stems do produce annual rings, just like other timber trees, therefore there is no exact way to tell how old one is. Their age can only be inferred by their height/size in relation to their species, the quantity of areoles, and the conditions of their growth.
How long can a succulent live without watering?
In general, succulents that are grown indoors or outdoors during the cooler months will need less water. They can go without water for one to three months.
Indoor succulents will be less exposed to the weather outside because the soil dries out more quickly outside than it does indoors due to the wind and sunlight.
The soil remains moist for extended periods of time in milder climes, typically fall and winter.
To avoid overwatering indoor plants during the cooler months, read more about our toothpick test here.
To avoid root rot, it’s crucial to examine the soil before watering indoor succulent plants and to make sure it is completely dry between waterings.
Do succulents grown indoors go dormant?
True dormancy is not experienced by succulents cultivated indoors. As a result, you’ll discover that propagating or transplanting succulents indoors throughout the year is not a problem.
Waiting until the succulent is in its active growing season is optimal for succulents growing outside. The spring and fall seasons are often when you’ll see the best effects.
Extremes in temperature will be your main obstacles when transplanting or planting succulents outdoors.
For my sister-in-law in Southern California, I planted several succulents. The succulents were outside in the ground when we planted them in June, but because of the heat wave, they were experiencing temperatures near to 100F. (38C).
These little 2 (5 cm) succulents didn’t have time to adjust to that scorching temperature and the full sun because the place we were putting them in was also in full sunlight. The majority of them perished.
Even cold-hardy varieties of succulents would freeze if I tried to plant them outside in the midst of the winter when I still lived in Utah since they weren’t used to the extremely cold temperatures.
Succulents can, however, be planted all year round provided you give them a beautiful, temperate climate without too many extremes.
Because (shocking, I know…) they are growing more throughout their active growing season, you’ll discover that your succulents take transplanting better. As a result, they will heal more quickly and acclimate to their new surroundings more quickly.
The process of propagating succulents is comparable. In the end, spring or fall, when that particular succulent is beginning its active growing season, are the greatest times of year. The growth of these plants can be propagated at other seasons of the year, but it will often be slower.
Again, this is relevant to succulents grown outside. Succulents grown indoors can be easily reproduced all year long and develop at a similar rate.
Succulents can they survive indoors without sunlight?
The most light is reflected from south-facing windows throughout the day in the northern hemisphere. The sun shines through windows facing east in the morning and west in the afternoon and evening. The least quantity of sunlight enters windows that face north.
A south-facing window is the best choice for the majority of sun-loving succulent plants in the northern hemisphere. However, all of the low-light succulents covered in this article happily flourish in windows that face west or east. Even in a dark, north-facing window, some of them will make it, but I don’t advise it because even there, they won’t thrive.
However, no succulent can live in a completely dark environment. Therefore, even if your succulent plants are varieties that thrive in low light, think about buying a tiny desktop grow light if you live in a basement flat, have only a north-facing window, or if your space has no windows at all. When a modest grow lamp is placed over low light succulents for 6 to 8 hours a day, you’ll be astounded at how well they grow. You won’t need to remember to turn the lights on and off every day if you have a reliable timer.
Now that you are aware of how much sunlight low light succulents require, allow me to introduce you to some of the greatest low light succulents.