Master Class - Succulents

Succulents are the perfect answer for people who want to introduce greenery into their decor, but just do not have the time to look after the kinds of plants that require a bit more attention. By definition, a succulent is any plant with thick, fleshy (hence, succulent) water storage organs. 

Succulents store water in their leaves, stems or roots. They tend to be low-maintenance and have been adapted to thrive in an indoor environment. They can come in a large variety of really interesting leaf forms and plant shapes, including paddle leaves, tight rosettes, and bushy or trailing columns of teardrop leaves.

What’s cool is that they also come in a huge array of colors, from vibrant yellows and oranges all the way to deep greens and even blues. This sort of variety is part of what makes them such a popular choice for natural decor. Coupled with the fact they they grow most of the year round, with only a small dormant period in the winter, what's not to like?

It’s important to do research into which types of succulents will be most successful in your climate, and which types are more suited to being planted in an outdoor garden versus being potted. Here are several types of succulents that I like to work with, but I advise you to keep in mind that there are so many more, much more than I could possibly list: 

Aeonium – Rosettes typically resemble big, fleshy-petalled daises. Colors include green, yellow, and garnet.

Agave – These rosette-shaped succulents are native to the Americas. There are dozens of species of agaves, many small and beautifully suited to pot culture.

Sempervivum (hen and chicks) – Like sedums, sempervivums are cold-climate succulents; theydo not do well outdoors in the heat of a Southwest summer.

Sedum (stonecrop) – These trailing succulents with stacked and concentric or bean-shaped leaves produce masses of star-shaped blooms in summer. Plant sedums in rock gardens and use them as fillers for containers and as ground covers.

Haworthia – These windowsill succulents, which seldom get larger than a softball, thrive indoors and do well in pots.

Caring for your succulents

• Most need a half- to a full-day’s sunlight, and in very hot environments, some afternoon shade is recommended. 

• Full, direct, midday sun is often too much and can dry out the plant. However, putting your succulents in a brightly-lit spot is still ideal. 

• If in a pot, water well, then let it drain completely. During warmer months, “rather than pour a cup of water now and then into the pot, wait until the dirt is completely dry and then soak the plant in water for a few minutes.” (Via A Pair and a Spare) 

Display

Now for the fun part! There are endless ways to display and incorporate succulents into your home.

Potting. The container you put your succulents into is important for keeping it alive—these plants in particular need a vessel that allows drainage to thrive. But you can still get creative with this! Look at your local farmer’s market for unique pots, old tin lunchboxes, collectible cups—anything, really. Vintage stores will also be great for these kinds of unique finds.

Mix varietals. Some species of succulent, because of their shape and size, are better for filling out an arrangement, while others make a more interesting focal point.

Final touches. Think about adding stones, pebbles, candles, and other decorative pieces to finish off the arrangement.