Why Are Stores Painting Succulents

The business that painted them claims that the dye used to color these plants is non-toxic and acceptable for consumption. Close examination reveals that the plants are either sprayed with this paint or are submerged in it. Only the plant’s surface has the color. The odd colors will likely fade with time, and as the plant grows, the new growth won’t exhibit them.

Plants that can withstand droughts, succulents retain water in their stems and leaves. Plants breathe and produce food by photosynthesis using their leaves and stems (transpire). This can be avoided by completely painting the leaves, but doing so is likely to kill the plants or at the very least significantly harm them.

The majority of spray-painted succulents last a few months while surviving on their reserves before passing away.

Some do succeed in growing fresh, healthy growth and “outgrow the paint; in that case, you’ll need to clip off the top and root it, in which case it will resemble a typical succulent” (unless you want to paint it again)

Succulents grow slowly. If these painted succulents live so long, they might display color for months or perhaps years. Although they go through photosynthesis a little differently than other plants, succulents nonetheless require it. Although it’s possible that this dye has no impact, it seems more likely that most people who paint succulents do it for the novelty value and end up forgetting about them and letting them slowly wither away on a ledge.

What is the name of the painted succulents?

Once the proper soil is provided, succulents are incredibly intriguing plants that flourish with minimal water and care. Kosmik KaKtus, also known as Cosmic Cactus, takes the succulent’s beauty a step further by painting or dying the plant in vibrant hues.

Succulents called KosmiK KaKtus are either painted or dyed in vibrant colors to increase their beauty and allure. Echeveria, haworthia, and thimble cactus family succulents are frequently painted with acrylic paint before being sold for their aesthetic appeal and low maintenance requirements.

Succulents, like all other plants, rely on sunlight to produce food through a process called photosynthesis, and painting them can have a disastrous impact on their overall health.

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Succulents—are they painted?

I’ll start by stating that I’m not here to pass judgment. I don’t mind if you’re really into painted succulents. But I’d be dishonest if I didn’t say right away that I’m not a big fan of these showy plants. I’m going to share some of my worries with you today along with a few words of advice. If you decide to buy a pot of painted succulents after reading this, at least you’ll do it knowing exactly what you’re getting.

These displays of vibrant plants have captured my attention at many large box stores’ nurseries over the past couple of years. Their vibrant colors are meant to get your attention, sometimes by the registers and other succulents. Then I did. Because it seemed to me that these plants were being promoted in a slightly dishonest manner, I must admit that I was very horrified by what I discovered.

Kosmik Kaktus, the label screams.

A brand-new collection of cactus with extraordinary color. We’ll discuss the “kaktus section shortly, but first, let’s introduce the new lineup. In the realm of plants, horticulturists put in a lot of labor in the background to create new varieties of plants. They hybridize and cross-breed in an effort to find unique traits that gardeners would appreciate in their spaces. Their work is extremely specialized and demanding. People have been producing these things for millennia, from the corn we love to eat on the cob to the numerous rose types that fill our gardens.

The “The new lineup that is being praised here has not undergone any of that exhaustive research. Instead, a dye is used to color these plants (said to be food-safe and non-toxic by the company, which seems to be part of Altman Plants). Close examination reveals that the plants are either sprayed with this paint or are submerged in it. Of course, the color only appears on the plant’s surface. The odd colors will most likely fade with time, and freshly developed parts of the plant won’t exhibit them.

Succulents do really grow slowly. If these painted succulents live so long, they might display color for months or perhaps years. I’m unable to comment on how this color change would impact their photosynthesis. Although they go through photosynthesis a little differently than other plants, succulents nonetheless require it. I obviously can’t say for sure, but it’s likely that this colour has no effect. I think it’s more likely that most people acquire these plants for the novelty value and then abandon them on a ledge to slowly wither away. (Again, no criticism. By being careless, I’ve killed a lot of plants in the past.)

Note regarding “Gardeners who are knowledgeable about kaktus may notice that the plants depicted here are actually haworthias, a different kind of succulent. Although the Kosmik Kaktus tag claims that the company also sells true cactus in these vibrant hues, it’s important to note that cactus and haworthia require different maintenance. If you decide to buy one, carefully examine the label on the plant to ascertain its type and maintenance needs.

Personally, I don’t think succulents need to be dressed up because I find them fascinating enough as is. The haworthia seen below has been flourishing in my garden for about six months. Its natural hue and design intrigue me far more, in my opinion. In addition, nature already offers a wide variety of beautiful succulents in shades of blue, green, red, and pink. I’d much prefer gather and cultivate those.

It’s just me, though. I will never be a fan of painted succulents. You should be able to get these at your neighborhood big-box nursery if you like the idea, or you could even try making one yourself with water-based paints. Just keep in mind that the plant below still requires proper attention.

What does it mean to gift succulents?

You undoubtedly want to make your loved one’s event the most unforgettable possible whenever it involves an occasion for them. You’ll want to do everything you can to make them feel unique for that reason. Giving them something that showcases treasured values in that case is the best option.

Give them succulents as a gift if you want to show them your honest feelings. Not to mention that these colorful plants with active leaves have intriguing symbolic meanings that can help you express your actual feelings to the one you care about the most! Succulent symbolism varies greatly throughout cultures, according to various sources.

For instance, among Native American Indians, the cactus is a symbol of resilience and defense. They think that owning cacti will bring its owners success and prosperity. Additionally, even though cacti can survive and grow in arid environments, they stand for maternal love. Cactus is hence the greatest choice if you’re considering giving your mother something unexpected.

According to Feng Shui, succulents like crassula can bring good fortune and shield their owner from evil spirits and bad energy. In Japanese culture, giving a succulent to someone as a present is a common way to express affection.

Succulent is generally recognized as a representation of tenacity, strength, and unselfish love. So giving succulents as a gift to the one you care about the most would be a wonderful way to express your unwavering devotion.

Try creating your own with this customizable gift box if you’re searching for a more unique take on our gift box.

What is the trend with succulents?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people who are confined to their homes have discovered that succulents make an excellent first plant. Images provided by Gulley Greenhouse

Throughout the 2010s, succulents were a popular category with shoppers, but by about 2017, things had begun to level down a bit. We were manufacturing too many goods that were the same as a sector.

The customer might desire blue echeveria, and we were providing them with 30 quite similar varieties to chose from in a gallon or a 4-inch container. No of the kind, you can only charge for a quart of blue echeveria what the person down the street is asking for it. Consumers don’t perceive enough difference. There were simply too many choices available, and the market for landscaping was also beginning to show signs of saturation.

But in 2018, a few distinct niche markets led by Millennials started to witness a return. For starters, internet sales of 2-inch succulents began to soar. The grower will love this new product because it turns quickly. Five to nine weeks are required for growth. It’s an easy vegetatively propagated liner that is being offered as a finished good, and all you’re trying to do is root and ship it.

The fact that many people are now trying to root the plants themselves is an additional intriguing trend. Unrooted cuttings are being resold online at a tidy profit by growers and internet business owners. A 15-cent cutting may fetch $1 online the same week it was purchased by the dealer.

Tillandsia appears to be the source of this fad (air plants). Consumers were finding success with these when they began to understand they could achieve the same two- to three-month aesthetic appeal by placing a little succulent with little soil in one of the tiny glass containers.

These two specialty markets are brand-new and expanding quickly. I won’t say they’ll be enormous, but you can see some incredible margins. Additionally, you get low inputs, quick grow times, and low risk. For growers, these developments are fantastic.

An Easy Decorating Solution

Small succulents being used as ornaments is another trend I’ve noticed. Baby Boomers are online, and since they have a little more money available, they choose items they can flaunt on Facebook that are easy to maintain and will endure for a while. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are being applied by finish growers to succulents before they are put in picture frames, used as Christmas tree ornaments, or even used to create succulent Christmas trees. With little effort, the end user can enjoy them for a longer amount of time. For the plants, it’s like suspended animation. The PGR application produces a plant that is not intended to grow but to last. It will look lovely as a Christmas tree during the holiday season and in a picture frame for up to three months.

During the holidays, succulent wreaths might bring consumers some happiness. picture provided by Gulley Greenhouse

This is giving these plants a new market that is somewhat similar to cut flowers. They are currently being used to fill a cornucopia as the Thanksgiving table’s centerpiece. They’re not meant to endure forever yet they can bring pleasure for a while. In January or February, you don’t need them to be still stunning on the Christmas tree. In place of poinsettias over the holidays, succulents are now being used. Growers can sell them rapidly and possibly for a higher profit.

Great Potential in E-Commerce

Some of the latest succulent fashion trends are appropriate for e-commerce. Tillandsia was the first plant that customers could order and send online. However, it has changed into a place where succulents are sold, both as 2-inch plants and as unrooted cuttings.

Growers attempted to sell 4-inch succulents online, but they found it challenging. The larger pots with more soil were more expensive and more difficult to ship without them arriving to the customer in poor condition. The 2-inch is a good compromise. They make the best marks. The growth period is brief. To prevent soil from simply spilling, the plant covers a larger portion of the pot. Additionally, because succulents are hardier plants, they survive shipment a little bit better than impatiens or petunias may.

Customers can purchase them for $4 each item or perhaps $12 for a modest collection. And the producer now receives $3 to $5 for a 2-inch pot rather than 75 cents to $1.00 for an unrooted clipping. Additionally, growing in 2-inch square pots makes the most of available space on a grower’s bench in the greenhouse.

A Shareable Experience

The effects of COVID-19 on succulent sales online and generally cannot be ignored. People have stayed inside due to the pandemic. Consumers are looking for activities they can perform at home in place of previously spending some of their leisure money on going to a movie or restaurant. Succulents are a simple, accessible way to get started with plants. The pandemic’s ability to shut us indoors has accelerated that process. People are attempting to bring the outdoors inside because we can’t truly go outside.

It’s also important to consider how this relates to social media. People are eager to post photos of their plants and projects on Facebook and Instagram because it is difficult for us to meet with friends and family as much as we used to. But when you do so, you’re not simply exposing others to succulents—the technology also introduces you to fresh concepts. For instance, Facebook identifies when you publish a photo of your succulent endeavor and starts to display different varieties of related plants to you. Then it goes in an upward spiral. New plants that you might find intriguing are introduced to you.

These days, people are willing to pay a little bit more for a single plant that they can keep indoors and enjoy. Succulents make mistakes difficult to commit. Customers purchase it for its unique and cool appearance rather than the flower. If it blooms, that’s simply an added bonus. They can feel successful by watering it once a week.

It’s also a terrific trend for producers who want to sell their products online. It travels well and is simple for manufacturers to package. It can withstand a little heat during transport as well as a little drought stress. If you use a plant growth inhibitor, it will ship unharmed in a dark box. I’m quite eager to see where everything goes.

Five Succulents You May Have Overlooked

Are you trying to take advantage of the new succulent opportunities? Here are five things to think about:

Three Time-Honored Methods

  • Perle Echeveria von Nurnberg
  • Fasciata Haworthia
  • Vata crassicle

Two New and Exciting:

  • String of Hearts in Ceropegia
  • Senecio’s Pearl String

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Chris Rocheleau ([email protected]) has produced ornamental plants for more than 15 years. At ForemostCo, he serves as the sales representative for the South Central region of the country. Here you can view all author stories.