Many of the most stunning succulent species are perfect for growing in pots right at home. These exotic beauties make fantastic flowering houseplants, adding a touch of desert charm to any room with those fascinating leaf rosettes. To help your potted succulents truly thrive, I’ve put together some essential care tips to keep them healthy and vibrant.
Potting Your Succulents the Right Way
If there’s one thing you need to know, it’s that soggy feet are a succulent’s worst enemy. To avoid root rot, always use pots that have drainage holes at the bottom—no exceptions! Adding a drainage layer of small pebbles or expanded clay at the base of the pot is another great way to keep water from pooling around the roots.
For healthy growth, your succulents need a gritty, well-draining soil mix that combines mineral components with a bit of organic matter. If you’re feeling crafty, you can even mix your own succulent soil at home.
Pro Tip: Even if you just bought a succulent that seems to be in a decent pot, it’s usually a good idea to repot it. Most store-bought plants come in standard potting soil, which holds way too much moisture for these desert dwellers.
Care Tips for Potted Succulents
Once you’ve got your succulent tucked into its new home, give it about a week to recover from the “moving stress.” Keep it in a spot with filtered light and steady temperatures during this time. After that, you can jump into a regular care routine. Just keep these basics in mind:
- The ideal spot for a potted succulent is somewhere warm and sunny.
- During the summer, your succulents will love spending some time out on the balcony or patio.
- During the growing season, water regularly, but only once the soil has significantly dried out.
- Always use soft water (like rainwater or filtered water) and pour it slowly directly onto the soil, not the leaves.
- You can add succulent fertilizer to your watering can once a month from May through September.
- If you see dead leaves, gently twist or pluck them off (no heavy pruning required!).
From November through February, your potted succulents will head into a winter dormancy period. During this time, they don’t need any fertilizer. Ideally, move them to a bright winter spot where temperatures stay around 60°F (15°C).
Pro Tip: Even while they’re “sleeping” in the winter, your succulents will appreciate a tiny splash of soft water every now and then. Just be extra careful not to overwater them during the colder months!
