How to Care for Succulents: Information and Tips Once deserted, succulents are now household names. Why are these plants different from other charming houseplant varieties? There are Succulent Alley of reasons why succulents are so popular. Care for succulents is a breeze, and they are a durable and portable plant. From pretty greens to rainbow arrays, they come in a variety of shapes and styles.

Succulent Overview
Originally, succulent was derived from the Latin word sucus, which means juice, sap, and drink. Their leaves and stems are packed with water, making them drought-resistant. Their versatility and resiliency makes them an excellent houseplant, and certain varieties flourish better indoors than others.

Choose succulents based on their size, style, color, care requirements, and natural climate. They range in height from less than an inch tall, such as Blossfeldia liliputana, to over 12 feet, such as blue yucca. Moreover, they are available in a variety of shapes and colors. In addition to succulents from arid climates, there are a few types from tropical regions, such as the Macho mocha mangave and octopus agave.

Most succulents require a lot of light, and some houses don''t get enough natural light to take care of certain types of succulent. Generally, green succulents do well indoors rather than colorful ones, depending on how much light is available. Depending on their natural habitat, they will need a different level of care, so try and duplicate as much of this as you can.

Common Types of Succulents
Succulent plants can be grouped under about 60 plant families. Sempervivum, Cactaceae (cacti), Sedum and Haworthia are four of the most popular families. Below are examples and images of succulents from each family. Explore some of the details that set these plant families apart to determine which one may be best for you.

Cactaceae (cacti)
Cacti are one of the most recognizable succulents due to their prickly spines. The acclimation to the desert allows them to survive in extreme cold and heat with little water.

Haworthia
The Haworthia plant is a small succulent species native to southern Africa. During dry periods, they are used to lots of sun. Succulents of the Haworthia genus make up a large part of the succulent family, despite their small size.

Sedum
Succulents come in many shapes and sizes. The smallest are a few inches tall and the largest are three feet tall. There are about 80 species of Sedum plants, and all are members of the Crassulaceae subfamily, including the famous Crassulaceae ovata (jade plant). Sun and water don''t affect them much.

Sempervivum
Sempervivum succulents are recognized by their classic rosette shape. Some are flowering and come in a variety of colors. Despite having the name "always alive", these hardy succulents are also frost resistant.

Succulent Care Tips
Despite their tough guy persona, succulents still require love and care. You will frequently find dead leaves at the bottom of your plant, so remove them to keep your plant healthy. Here are the steps you need to follow to avoid a common plant care faux pas and help you not kill this highly resistant plant.

For succulents to grow, they need at least 36 hours of direct sunlight per day. You can also place it in a window or space that receives plenty of sunlight, such as a south- or east-facing window. A succulent can rarely get sunburned from too much direct sunlight; this is highly unlikely, but watch for any unusual scorch marks. When succulents receive insufficient light, they may begin to stretch their leaves as much as possible in order to catch as much light as possible.

The adaptations of succulents to a desert climate mean that they do not need large amounts of water. It is generally recommended to let their soil completely dry before re-watering them. When roots aren''t allowed to dry between waterings, they can rot and die. Because soil will dry out more quickly if the environment is hot and they have an effective drainage system, they may need to be watered more frequently about every 23 weeks. The amount of water they require will decrease as the weather gets colder.

Succulents are used to extreme temperatures, so the majority can survive temperature ranges of about 4095 F. However, more delicate varieties should be kept in a lower temperature range. You should maintain the succulent at the appropriate temperature based on the amount of water it receives.

Most succulents are not toxic. Succulents like Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear) and Aloe vera are often used in many delicious dishes. There are some succulent varieties, mainly cacti, with spines that may puncture the skin, so watch out for them. Succulents are generally not toxic to humans or pets, however, you should avoid some varieties if you have young children or pets at home.

Succubuses should be planted in soil and planters that have adequate drainage. Add organic matter such as peat moss, as well as large pebbles and rocks to the cacti soil as a base for soil drainage. Whether your plant needs to be repotted is dependent on the size of your plant and whether it needs to be moved indoors during the winter. We have a guide that explains how to repot a plant if it has outgrown its pot or needs a warmer environment.