S U C C U L E N T S
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How to Water
Impossible to kill? Low maintenance? Love to be neglected? These are all phrases I’ve heard before about succulents which makes them sound like the perfect plant for anyone right?!
I have also heard succulents and cacti grouped in the same category. I thought succulents needed little to no water. Instead of watering, I lightly misted them every once in awhile.
I WAS WRONG! My succulents barely survived.
Succulents ARE the perfect plant for just about everyone; but they can be a bit tricky to keep alive if you don’t know how to properly care for them. Today I share some tips on how to properly WATER your succulents.
W A T E R I N G :
Drown your succulents in water once the soil is dry. Soak them to the point the water comes out of the bottom of the pot. Unglazed porous pots with drainage holes are the way to go (think terracotta pots). They allow your succulents to breathe; your plants will love you.
F R E Q U E N C Y of W A T E R I N G :
How often you water depends on a lot of factors (climate, season, humidity, drainage, etc.) Best rule of [green] thumb is to let the soil dry before you water again. If the soil doesn’t have a chance to dry or if you leave water in the catch pan, you can cause the roots to rot. To check the moisture in the soil you can stick your finger into the dirt.
*High Altitude succulents (Colorado especially): keep a close eye on your plants in the beginning because the air is so dry. You might find yourself giving your plants a drink more than once a week!
M I S T I N G :
Leave the misting for the babes! Full-grown succulents don’t actually like to be misted. They thrive in arid climates. Sometimes misting the plants leaves can make them more likely to burn from the sun or rot. Use misting for propagating babes to lightly provide water to their delicate roots.
Keep your eyes peeled for the continuation of the [greenThumb] series. We will be talking about “How to Propagate” succulents.
Once you dial in your succulent’s needs, they do become low maintenance. Learning to properly care for succulents is definitely a learning experience. Trust me, I’ve lost my fair share. Don’t give up! Soon you too will have the succulent garden of your dreams.
-Renee
Product Of My Environment
