Refresh Your Home With Succulent Plants

Never try to underrate the capacity of that gorgeous succulent smiling at the corner of your living room. The designer of London garden, Caro Langaron, and Rose Ray says in their new book, “House of plants: Living with Succulents, Air Plants, and cacti, says that, “we believe part of the satisfaction of living with indoor plants is in their modest requirements, and just as much pleasure can be found in a humbled potted cactus as in a conservatory full of demanding tropical plants,” 

You might be eager to know about the Succulents, let’s know in-depth about the dazzling smiling succulents!

What Are Succulents?

Succulents or succulent plants are an assemblage of plants that have water depository tissues. They bear a resemblance to camels as they are drought-resistant plants. They can happily live in dry, sterile conditions. These plants keep water in their leaves, their stems, or their roots. Aren’t you curious about the name? Yes, you are! You will be amazed to know that the word succulent is derived from the Latin word sucus which means juice or sap, it has been given this name as its leaves tend to be fleshy, plump, and thick to store water and aids in the reduction of water loss.

You are perplexed as these same qualities are born by cacti, what if cacti and succulents are the same?

Let’s be ready to increase your insights!

Are cacti Succulents?

It will not be justified to say that cacti and succulents are the same only on the basis that they are grouped. A cactus or cactus is a subset that belongs to the succulent group. The cactus family, or Cactaceae, is one of the largest families of succulent category.

Where are they from?

Succulents don’t have any specific dwelling place. They are present all over the globe in their natural environment. They mostly make their appearance in the environment which is commonly uninhabited, as they have a vast and rich variety of habitats. Many succulents take birth in dry areas, deserts, and semi-deserts which range from Africa to North and South America. The majority of them are present in mountainous regions and rainforests too.

The main pillars that made these plants severely hardy and adaptable are the ambiance that is too tough for other floras to survive. For instance high temperatures, low precipitation. Some of the succulents can also be seen in sea coasts and lakes which are dried, it can be disastrous to other plants as the utmost level of dissolved minerals.

Are succulents indoor plants?

You might be in doubt that if the succulents love the extreme temperature and can live their span with drinking less water, will they perform better indoors? Don’t create chaos in your mind as succulents are dual they can do better indoors as well as outdoors too, but everything comes with a price all they need is to be kept near a window, they don’t demand direct sunlight, the south-facing window is their dream place because they receive ample amount of light there. Succulents don’t get thirsty, they need less water to drink indoors, and one thing you must assure us is that the soil should have a proper drainage system.

Do Succulents love the sun?

A plethora of plants needs sun to thrive, even succulents too. But it’s much better to know how much sunlight do succulents need to survive and how much to thrive?

The majority of succulents can bear moderate sunlight up to 6 hours of sun a day. 

Do Succulents love drinking water?

Water is the essence of living for flora and fauna. Without water, everything can diminish, then why not succulents?

But it’s hectic to remember watering your plant every day which is a little risky if you forget even a single day, your plant may perish. But fortunately, succulents do not demand to get watered at regular intervals. But you also need to take care that they do not get overwatered. 

A good rule of watering succulents is when you feel the soil is all dry.

Types of succulents:

As you have cousins all over your family, so do the succulents! They have a variety of plants present all across the globe. All of them need a similar type of care, the amount of sunlight and water can vary.

Nowadays succulents are the center of attraction, they are in trend and topping the list of being the gorgeous plant. They are so dazzling that there is no reason to slow down their popularity. Owing to their appearance, hardiness, and versatility they are famed all over the world and are incredibly famous. Succulent plants come in a wide variety of hues, sizes, and different shapes. They make your garden look more elegant.

Let’s see how many different varieties of succulents are there!

• Burro’s Tail 

Or you can call Donkey’s tail. Its scientific name is (Sedum morganianum) it is a native of Mexico, this Mexican succulent is the best pick for hanging baskets. As it has heavy-laden stems which trail down. Its leaves are thick and tapering blue and green in color. The leaves can grow up to 30cm long. It produces cute pink blooms, which are enough to make your day. You can neglect this plant as much as you want, but they need your little amount of attention in cold weather.

• Aloe Vera

It sounds like, Allo, Vera! This succulent is versatile. They act as a doctor, beautician, and counselor of the plant world. As its sap has been used in soothing the burn, bites, and abrasions. Aloe Veras is a superstar and is loved by humans as they possess healing qualities and are so easy to be with. They are the best grown in frost-free zones and they prefer both the full sun and light shade. Semi-regular watering is needed, but before watering you have to check if the soil has been well-drained or not. Aloe Veras can be found in a variety of sizes from giant to tiny versions. The larger leaves can grow upto1.2 meters, so please ensure that you are choosing the perfect type for your space.

• Foxtail agave

  Not only do you have an official name, foxtails too have. They are known as (Agave attenuata). They can be germinated in pots or garden beds. They are the best drought tolerant. If you are a lazy lad then this plant can have a perfect bonding with you as they are never going to need attention from you. They will smile and grow at the place where you have kept them. They set the tone wherever grown as they have bold leaves. Many types have sharp spines and leave a margin at the tip of the leaves, which adds extra charm to their appearance. The bluish-green Rossett is naturally spread by bringing forth the offerings at the lower side of the plant. Foxtail agaves are the perfect choice for the sunny, hot, and dry areas most probably the desert regions, with proper drainage.

• Echeveria

One of the most beautiful, elegant succulents you will ever see. Owing to their hues they are counted as the most exquisite succulent. Echeverias are the hardiest plants and can be healthy and live happily prolonged without water. They perform very well in the unglazed clay pots, as they have the power to evaporate the water. The rosettes of echeverias can be 2cm up to 50 cm in diameter. They can be found in attractive shades ranging from white to orange, and red to pink. These low-growing evergreen succulents come in the group called hens-and-chicks. These succulents have an original rosette called the ‘Hen’, and that produces another little rosette offset that is known as the ‘Chicks’.

• Sempervivum tectorum

They are also famed as houseleeks are frequently linked to rubbery roses. They are also famed as hens and chicks and resemble echeverias. But their care tips are different as they are tough in nature, and are hardy plants which love cold weather. Their leaves are smaller than those of echeverias and have pointy edges. They grow blooms in hues of pink, red, or orange. One distinguishing feature that makes them extra special is that they have star-shaped flowers.

You have brought a jaw-dropping succulent, but don’t have any clue how to keep them happy and healthy in their new home? Well but for that, you have to read further and get aware of how to keep your succulent all blossom throughout.

Here are some tips given to make you and your plant smile a wide smile.

• Ensure that succulents get plenty of light: Succulents are head over heels for sunlight and need at least six hours of sun per day, it also depends on the variety of the succulents. Newly grown succulents can get burned in the direct sunlight, so you should be careful and at first introduce them to partial sunlight by providing them shade with a sheet or curtain.
• Rotate the Succulents: Succulents are lovers of direct sun, but the same spot getting sun every day will hamper the plant, so it is much better to rotate the plant at regular intervals. Succulents can bow down towards the sun rays so it is perfect to rotate them so that they can stand straight with pride.
• Water the soil directly: If you feel your succulent is thirsty as the soil is extremely dried. Then, here comes the time to make them drink water as much as they need, but while watering you need to take care that you must soak the soil until the water goes out of the drainage holes.
• Water according to the season: Just like human beings, succulents do also need energy when they are hitting their growth phase. During spring and summer, the plants will thrive and will drink more water than usual. And the rest time of the succulents will arrive in the fall and winter.
• Keep your succulents neat: Well, the worst habit of indoor plants is that they embrace dust which can hold back their growth. You need to frequently wipe off the surface of leaves and spines calmly with a damp cloth. Or you can also use a paintbrush if you want to.
• Select a container with Drainage: 

Succulents don’t like when it is soggy; they will not prefer to take place in waterlogged soil. So Drainage is a must to save them from rotting. Your container should have access to allow excess water to escape. 

• Plant the succulents in the right soil: Succulent adores the soil that drains, so regular potting soil or dirt and dust will not go this time. Opt for cactus mix potting soil with pumice or perlite sand. Whilst repotting you must be extra careful as the roots of the succulents are extra fragile.
• Get rid of the Insects: The greatest enemy of the plants is the bugs. The pests hamper the plants and put a full stop to their blossoming. You can deal with gnats as they are attracted to the succulents that are planted in moist soil and don’t have proper drainage. The common cause of pests knocking on the door is overwatering and over-fertilizing.
• Summertime; feeding time: Yes! You read it right. Succulents don’t require fertilizer but you can give them light fertilizers during the season of spring and summer. But ensure not to over-fertilize them. Overfeeding can make your plant weak and can die early. 

Succulents for Singapore

Succulents can easily survive in the weather of Singapore and they are so much fun to be with. Succulents Singapore need well-drained soil and they love the sun so you are advised to put them in the brightest spot. Water them only when they are fully dried. Do not get stressed as the succulents are going to hold your hand and never leave it as they don’t need much attention. They are selfless plants that only know how to make you and your home smile.