Succulents are reported to be well-liked since they have a place in practically everyone’s house. These plants were welcomed in homes even by those who lack the time to care for them. These plants may survive with little maintenance.
What makes succulents unique?
Because they can uplift a space and a person’s mood and are even known to reduce indoor pollutants, houseplants are a popular addition to many houses. However, some indoor plants are better for you than others. Succulents are among the greatest indoor plants for the following six reasons:
1. They are tolerant of dry, enclosed environments.
2. They require little watering.
Unlike other houseplants, succulents can endure limited watering because to a special adaption. They do not require watering as regularly as other plants because of their ability to store water in their thick, fleshy leaves, stems, and larger roots. Even their name derives from this characteristic; “succulent” is a translation of the Latin word succulentus, which means “containing juice,” according to the Online Etymology Dictionary.
- Your fingers will come out dry even if you bury them two knuckles deep in the ground.
- The normally glossy leaves start to wilt.
- The leaves shrink or pucker.
3. They don’t need a lot of fertilizer.
During the warmer months of the year, you only need to fertilize succulent plants three or four times overall. You can use only approximately half of the fertilizer you would normally spend on a standard houseplant because they don’t need as much feeding, which results in cost savings.
4. They resemble living works of art.
5. You may create indoor gardens with them.
- same growth rates
- similar watering requirements
- like what the sun requires Don’t combine two succulents that require full sunshine with those that prefer partial shade, for example.
6. They will look good in your house.
Why do young people prefer succulents?
Due to millennials’ worldwide desire for the plants, there has been an increase in theft and smuggling.
At the weekend, when I casually scrolled through Instagram stories, I was shocked to witness a crime being committed. Home CCTV footage of a man stealing my friend’s cactus cut short my routine frenzy of macha lattes and kid boomerangs. The cactus appeared to be flourishing when it was placed in a doorway in Clapham, south London—at least, it did until the thief swiftly snatched it out of its container. The bad guy understood what he was going for, therefore it was obvious that this was a targeted attack.
He may have been a part of a global criminal wave, it turns out. This week, two South Korean men in Cape Town were convicted guilty of smuggling 60,000 miniature succulents from South Africa and Namibia and were sentenced to significant fines and suspended jail terms. This conviction was the fourth of its kind in recent months.
It appears that millennials’ desire for decorative green houseplant “pets” has peaked. Succulent lunacy is well on its way to defining our own horticultural age, echoing the boom-and-bust calamity of tulip fever in 17th-century Holland.
Since it took this long, I must admit that I’m astonished. As a “millennial gardener” myself, I’ve seen the succulent fever develop over the past ten years (in a way that most succulents exposed to British temperatures and light levels rarely will). After beginning in 2013, crassulas, kalanchoes, and echeverias soon filled store shelves and were frequently dusted with glitter. These days, it’s almost impossible to get a coffee without having to consider the impending demise of the grossly overwatered haworthia in the center of the table.
Succulents and indoor plants are dear to millennials because they provide a concrete means of interacting with nature.
The important thing to understand about houseplant crazes is that they are cyclical, much like many other things we place in our homes. When my mother first did it in the 1970s, having little cacti and succulents in your room and hanging them up in macrame hangers was all the rage. Before that, the 1930s Hollywood celebrities who relocated to Palm Springs were fond of cacti. Since then, cactus rustling has been a concern, which is why the anti-plant trafficking Lacey Act was introduced in 1981. Not that it made much of a difference: by 2018, so many tall saguaros in Arizona were being uprooted at night that park rangers had to microchip their cactus.
For the staff at London’s Kew Gardens, who nurture three plants of each type before placing any on show, this is all depressingly familiar ground. An impossible-to-find small water lily was stolen from the glasshouses in 2014, and even a visit to Crimewatch couldn’t save it.
Not that our obsession with plants necessarily leads to crime. Frequently, it is only a dangerous activity. A few young Victorian women perished while searching for a rare species of fern, much like the unlucky individuals who plunge to their lives from cliffs while trying to take the perfect selfie. Teenage girls’ pteridomania, often known as “fern fever, was a common passion in the middle of the 19th century. The rituals involved searching the countryside with a trowel and an identification book before pressing their find with a coffee-table book. Rare plants were routinely uprooted from the ground, which always had an adverse effect on the local species.
The terrible part is that these crazes typically have excellent intentions hidden behind them. Because they provide a physical connection to nature that is lacking in a society that is becoming more and more reliant on screens, millennials are drawn to succulents and other houseplants. For the first time in generations, society had permitted those young Victorian women to venture outside and interact crudely with nature. Both groups had to put up with dwindling gardens and unreliable leased housing; in other words, they both really needed the quiet delight of seeing green leaves spread out all about them.
Humans are hard-wired to respond to nature, just like all other species. In Shetland, “green prescriptions” are given to those with mental-health disorders because it has been demonstrated that exposure to the outside world is so beneficial. Cactus crime frequently starts with a basic, understandable yearning for some greenery.
Why do consumers purchase succulents?
Selling finished succulent bouquets is a fantastic way to monetize your passion for succulent gardening! You can discover how to start by reading this article.
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Although there are many methods to make money online, if you have the succulent bug, you might have a special chance.
Every day, hundreds of individuals shop for succulents online, and many of them would rather purchase an attractive arrangement than individual plants.
Selling your magnificent plants could be a terrific way to increase your income and have some fun if you’re starting to run out of space for all of them in your garden.
What makes us adore succulents?
Around here, we have a slight addiction to succulents. As a plant family, interest in these delicious species has soared. Even Martha Stewart is growing them in a chilly climate, albeit they are really picky there.
The colors, shapes, forms, new breeds, and cross-breeds that appear to be created every day are what the collector finds most compulsive. Can there be one more? Always.
As you well aware, not all succulents are cacti, but all cacti are succulents. Succulents, on the other hand, are generally plants that store water in their leaves in anticipation of upcoming dry days. You shouldn’t necessarily grow them dry because of this. A succulent that has been properly cared for and hydrated is stunning to look at.
Some animals have thorns to fend off predators in the driest environments where there is severe competition for water. Succulents with no thorns are more frequently found in high alpine areas, whereas others grow on valley floors.
Treat your succulents differently. In the heat, some people will crave water or shade, while in the cold, others would crave solitude. Make sure to learn about each person’s specific requirements.
All succulents desire rapid drainage. These plants don’t enjoy growing in wet soil. Plant them in raised beds or on slopes in the garden. Make sure they have enough space to expand or produce puppies as their progeny.
They can also be crammed into pots, but eventually they will outgrow the container. At the Plant Depot in San Juan Capistrano, Gary Matsuoka, previously of Laguna Hills Nursery, is selling a nearly ideal nutrient-rich pumice-based potting mix for them. Request the “Tropical Blend
Succulents are quite simple to grow, but their attractive appearance is the main draw. You can have them without having a deserted garden. Many thrive in lush settings and will weave in and out of your more conventional garden plants since they are just as content or even happier there.
Use them with coleus in a shady garden. In the larger garden, plant them as groundcover. Succulents in pots can be used to decorate your patio and entrance. Indoor centerpieces made of succulents are quick, cool, and only temporary. After about a week, move them back outside.
A leaf or offset will allow almost all fleshy succulents to quickly take root. Just be certain that the plant is well rooted in the soil. Allow the plant a few months to “roots that catch hold of the environment. And keep in mind that when it comes to these architectural plants, more is more.
Why do succulents cost so much?
A succulent’s scarcity, maintenance expenses, therapeutic benefits, and aesthetic value are some of the elements that might make it pricey.
Rarity of Succulent
A very rare succulent will cost a lot of money to buy. There is limited rivalry among vendors because there are few stores in the USA that sell succulents. A succulent can be sold for a greater price and still make money if it is in short supply.
High maintenance cost
Succulents can occasionally take a very long time to grow. The more money and energy spent on a plant, the longer it takes for it to flourish. The plant may also require further feeding and pruning. The price of the succulent may increase as a result of these reasons.
Aesthetic Value of The Succulent
A succulent could cost more if it has a wonderful appearance that can improve the aesthetic of a space. These hardy plants are excellent for use as décor because they can be eye-catching and lovely. A succulent may fetch a greater price in the market if it is in demand because of its aesthetic value due to increased demand.
Medicinal importance
Succulent varieties with medical potential include salo, yucca, and aloe vera. Yucca has particular phytonutrients that can be helpful in alleviating arthritic pain and inflammation. Additionally, digestive system inflammation can be treated with aloe vera.
Because plants help speed up the healing of wounds and treat eczema, succulents are frequently found in hospitals. Succulents have been used to treat a number of medical conditions, including coughing.
Succulents—are they in style?
In your neighborhood food shop, cactus-like plants may look appealing in charming containers.
What to anticipate if you bring home a succulent was recently covered in a Penn State Extension webinar.
Susan Wilson, a Lehigh County master gardener who also teaches biology, anatomy, and environmental science to high school students close to Allentown, Pennsylvania, will be the webinar’s presenter.
Succulents are among Wilson’s favorite plants, she claimed. In recent years, more and more hyrbid succulents have been developed, and succulents have become “trendy.
An example of a succulent is “any plant that temporarily holds water in its stems or leaves, according to the woman.
The plants have distinct leaf and branch systems and are lush and plump. They appear in various hues, lack needles, and are incredibly delicate.
“A succulent is a type of plant that includes cacti. Wilson clarified that succulents are not cactus.
She claimed that cacti are monophyletic plants with little to no leaves. They are often green and have long white hair.
Succulents are unable to endure extremely cold temperatures. Some of them, according to Wilson, can tolerate temperatures as low as the mid-40s, but they are not frost hardy.
The danger zone is defined as 35 to 37 degrees, according to Wilson. “After that, she claimed, they are beyond saving.
A dehydrated succulent is not the worst scenario, despite their need for water. Wilson claimed that exposure to chilly temperatures actually takes longer for them to recover from than a shortage of water.
Originally, succulents grew in arid, dry areas as well as some coastal, high-alpine, dry tropical, and woodland habitats.
Why are Millennials now so enamored with houseplants?
The spark is lit and the flames are fanned by social media, but millennials are going one step farther and looking for live plant gatherings, cutting swaps, and houseplant seminars. Similar plant enthusiasts believe they have a supportive network that they can turn to for advice and experience sharing.
Also known as the “wellness generation,” the millennial generation aligns nicely with the health ideologies of houseplants. They value how plants may improve both one’s physical and emotional wellness.
What kinds of indoor plants are popular among millennials? Millennials prefer to shop at locally owned garden centers instead of big-box stores when buying plants. Popular indoor plants include succulents with unusual shapes and textures, as well as those with bright leaves.
Rare, collector-type houseplant cultivars are in demand and can sell for a premium. Similar to how one could indulge in a more expensive work of art, these plants are displayed and appreciated.
How long will the current cycle of home plant crazes last? Time will tell, but from personal experience I can say that once the bug bites, you’re bitten.
What do you call someone who has a plant addiction?
A nurseryman or nurserywoman who is passionate and knowledgeable about plants is known as a plantsman.
[1] Although the phrases “plantswoman” or even “plantsperson” are occasionally used, “plantsman” can apply to either a male or female person. The term “plantsman” is occasionally used interchangeably with the terms “botanist” or “horticulturist,” however those terms would denote a professional interest, whereas “plantsman” describes a perspective on (and perhaps even an obsession with) plants. Plantsmanship is not always associated with horticulture, though a plantsman may be a horticultural.
Why are plants so fashionable?
Watering, pruning, repotting, cleaning, and other maintenance tasks are necessary for houseplants, yet many people find these chores relaxing because they require us to take our time and carefully devote to something. In a chaotic and uncertain world, taking care of plants can offer soothing rituals.
A vacation from technology, such as that offered by taking care of plants, can be a welcome relief from the stress of notifications, social media, and the on-going burden of having to be reachable around-the-clock via a cell phone.
Plants are also lovely, and admiring lovely things can uplift and calm us. Seriously, how beautiful is this?
Plants bring nature inside
The fact that houseplants are a simple method to bring a touch of nature inside is a significant factor in why most indoor gardeners adore plants.
Due to their demanding professions and busy social schedules, Millennials and Gen Zers may not spend as much time in nature as they would like to. Many people live in cities where it is difficult to find nature.
Many young people are delaying home ownership in favor of renting due to soaring home prices, student loan debt, and a competitive employment market, which results in many of them living in apartments without yards.
A terrific method to create your own own patch of nature inside is with houseplants.
Social media brings plants lovers together
I have stated how popular houseplants have become on social media, particularly Instagram. Beautiful houseplant pictures can motivate people to start their own plant collections, and this fashion quickly catches on.
Additionally, social media gives gardeners a forum to support one another, motivate one another, provide advice, organize meetups and groups where they may discuss topics of interest and even exchange or share cuttings from their collections.