How to Grow Succulents at Home

Succulents have become one of the most popular plants for home gardening, and it’s not hard to see why. These versatile, hardy plants come in a stunning variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, making them perfect for adding a touch of greenery to any space. Best of all, they’re low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and can thrive both indoors and outdoors. Whether you’re looking to brighten up your windowsill or start a succulent garden, this guide will take you through everything you need to know about growing succulents at home.

Why Grow Succulents?

Succulents are more than just pretty plants. They offer several benefits that make them an excellent choice for both new and experienced gardeners:

Low Maintenance: Succulents store water in their thick leaves and stems, meaning they can survive long periods of drought. This makes them ideal for people who don’t have time for daily plant care.
Variety: With thousands of species to choose from, succulents come in a wide array of colors, shapes, and sizes, so you’ll never run out of options for creative displays.
Adaptability: Whether you live in a hot climate or have limited sunlight indoors, there are succulent varieties that can adapt to different conditions.
Air-Purifying Qualities: Succulents help purify the air by removing toxins and releasing oxygen, improving the indoor environment.
Aesthetic Appeal: Their striking appearance and compact size make succulents ideal for home décor. Whether in pots, hanging planters, or terrariums, they add a touch of nature to any space.

Now that you know why succulents are so popular, let’s dive into the details of how to grow them successfully at home.

1. Choosing the Right Succulents for Your Home

When it comes to succulents, there’s no shortage of options. However, not all succulents thrive in the same environment. Before you start planting, consider where you plan to grow them—indoors or outdoors—and select the right types accordingly.

Indoor Succulents

If you want to grow succulents inside your home, look for species that can tolerate lower light levels and stable indoor temperatures. Some of the best succulents for indoor growth include:

Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera is a well-known succulent with long, fleshy leaves that contain a soothing gel used for burns and skincare. It thrives in bright, indirect light.
Jade Plant (Crassula ovata): With its thick, glossy leaves and tree-like structure, the jade plant is a popular indoor succulent that can live for decades.
Echeveria: Known for its beautiful rosette shape and vibrant colors, Echeveria is a compact succulent that looks stunning on windowsills and in small pots.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria): Snake plants are nearly indestructible and can thrive in low light, making them perfect for low-maintenance indoor gardening.
Haworthia: These small, spiky succulents resemble miniature aloe plants and are perfect for indoor growing due to their compact size and low light requirements.

Outdoor Succulents

If you’re lucky enough to have a garden or patio with plenty of sunlight, outdoor succulents will thrive in the open air. They generally need more sunlight than indoor varieties and can tolerate direct sunlight. Some great outdoor succulents include:

Agave: Agave is a large, sculptural succulent with spiky leaves that can survive extreme heat and drought, making it perfect for arid climates.
Sedum: Sedums are versatile ground-cover succulents that come in various sizes and colors. They’re great for rock gardens or as fillers in outdoor succulent arrangements.
Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks): This popular succulent produces rosette-shaped clusters, with smaller “chicks” growing around the main plant. It’s hardy and can tolerate colder temperatures.
Graptopetalum: Similar to Echeveria, Graptopetalum is a rosette-forming succulent that thrives in outdoor gardens and can tolerate some neglect.
Aloe Striata (Coral Aloe): This type of aloe has broad, smooth leaves that develop a pinkish hue when exposed to sunlight, adding color to any outdoor garden.

2. Providing the Right Light for Succulents

Succulents are sun-lovers, but the amount and intensity of light they need vary depending on whether they’re grown indoors or outdoors.

Indoor Lighting Requirements

Indoor succulents need plenty of bright, indirect sunlight to thrive. If you notice that your succulent is stretching or becoming “leggy,” it’s likely not getting enough light. Here’s how to ensure your indoor succulents get the light they need:

Place Near Windows: Succulents do best when placed near a south- or east-facing window where they can receive 6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day. If the light is too harsh, use sheer curtains to filter it.
Use Artificial Grow Lights: If you don’t have access to enough natural light, consider investing in a grow light. LED grow lights provide the necessary spectrum of light for succulents to grow healthy and strong indoors.
Rotate Plants: To ensure even growth, rotate your succulents every couple of weeks. This prevents one side from leaning toward the light while the other side becomes weak.

Outdoor Lighting Requirements

Outdoor succulents generally need more direct sunlight, but it’s important to acclimate them to intense light gradually, especially if they’ve been growing indoors.

Gradual Sun Exposure: When transitioning succulents from indoors to outdoors, start by placing them in a shaded area, gradually moving them into more direct sunlight over a period of 1-2 weeks to avoid sunburn.
Morning Sun is Best: Succulents tend to prefer morning sunlight and afternoon shade, especially in hot climates where the midday sun can be too intense.

3. Watering Succulents the Right Way

One of the most common mistakes with succulents is overwatering. Unlike most houseplants, succulents store water in their leaves, stems, or roots, so they don’t need to be watered as often.

How Often to Water Succulents

Let the Soil Dry Out: The golden rule of watering succulents is to let the soil dry out completely between waterings. This typically means watering every 1-2 weeks in the growing season (spring and summer) and even less frequently in the dormant months (fall and winter).
Deep Watering: When you do water, water deeply until the water runs out of the drainage holes. Make sure to empty any excess water from saucers under pots to prevent root rot.
Watering Signs: If the leaves start to shrivel or become soft, it’s a sign the plant needs water. However, soft, mushy leaves could indicate overwatering, so always check the soil moisture before watering.

Watering Methods

Avoid Watering the Leaves: Water your succulents directly at the base of the plant to avoid getting the leaves wet. Wet leaves can lead to rot, especially if the plant is in a humid environment.
Bottom Watering: A great way to ensure your succulents get just the right amount of water is to use the bottom-watering method. Place the pot in a shallow tray of water, allowing the plant to absorb moisture through the drainage holes. Remove the pot once the soil is moist.

4. The Best Soil for Succulents

Succulents thrive in well-draining soil. Regular potting soil retains too much moisture, which can cause the roots to rot, so it’s essential to use a specialized succulent or cactus mix.

Choosing the Right Soil

Use Cactus/Succulent Mix: This type of soil is designed to drain quickly, preventing excess moisture from building up around the roots.
DIY Succulent Soil Mix: You can make your own succulent soil mix by combining 2 parts regular potting soil with 1 part coarse sand or perlite. This helps improve drainage and mimics the natural environment of succulents.

Potting Containers for Succulents

The container you choose for your succulents is just as important as the soil. Succulents need pots with drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.

Drainage is Key: Always plant succulents in pots with drainage holes. Without proper drainage, water can accumulate at the bottom, leading to root rot.
Terracotta Pots: Terracotta pots are great for succulents because they’re porous, allowing moisture to evaporate more quickly and helping to prevent overwatering.

5. Fertilizing Succulents

While succulents don’t need a lot of fertilizer, giving them a nutrient boost during their growing season can encourage healthy growth.

How to Fertilize Succulents

Fertilize During the Growing Season: Succulents typically grow actively in the spring and summer, so this is the best time to fertilize them. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength works well.
Avoid Over-Fertilizing: Succulents are light feeders, so don’t fertilize more than once a month during the growing season. Over-fertilizing can lead to leggy growth or even damage the plant.

6. Propagating Succulents

One of the most exciting things about succulents is how easy they are to propagate. Whether you want to grow more plants for your collection or share them with friends, succulent propagation is simple and rewarding.

Propagating from Leaves

Select a Healthy Leaf: Choose a healthy, plump leaf from the base of the plant. Gently twist the leaf off, making sure to get a clean break.
Allow to Callous: Let the leaf dry out for a few days until the end forms a callous. This helps prevent rot when you plant it.
Place on Soil: Lay the calloused leaf on top of well-draining soil. Mist lightly with water every few days. After a few weeks, small roots and baby succulents will begin to form.

Propagating from Offsets

Some succulents, like Hens and Chicks, produce “pups” or offsets around the base of the plant. These can be easily separated and planted to grow new succulents.

Gently Remove Offsets: Using a clean, sharp knife or your hands, gently separate the offset from the mother plant.
Let it Callous: Allow the offset to dry for a day or two before planting it in soil.

7. Dealing with Common Succulent Problems

Despite their hardy nature, succulents can still face problems from time to time. Here are some common issues and how to resolve them:

Overwatering

Signs of overwatering include mushy, translucent leaves, root rot, and dropping leaves. If you suspect overwatering, stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out completely.

Underwatering

Succulents that are underwatered will have shriveled or wrinkled leaves. If this happens, water the plant deeply and adjust your watering schedule.

Pests

While succulents are relatively pest-resistant, they can occasionally attract pests like mealybugs or aphids. If you notice pests, remove them by wiping the plant with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or using insecticidal soap.

Short Summary

Growing succulents at home is a fun and rewarding way to bring a touch of nature into your space. With the right care, your succulents will thrive for years, adding beauty and life to your home. Whether you’re growing them indoors or outdoors, remember the key points: plenty of light, well-draining soil, and careful watering. Happy gardening!