It’s not surprising the succulents have become some of the most popular houseplants. They’re affordable, low-maintenance, and on-trend. With countless varieties, they’re also really fun to collect. If you’re planning to modernize your Mission Viejo home or office with a few stylishly potted succulents, take a moment to look at this quick guide to growing succulents from the experts at Mission Viejo Florist.
How Succulents Differ from Other Green Plants
The primary difference between succulents and other plants are their leaves. Most plants have thin leaves, but succulents grow thick, rubbery leaves and spines. These special features allow succulents to live in extremely arid locations, where other plants couldn’t survive because they’re experts at storing water.
Why Succulents Are Such Great Houseplants
Succulents are a fun way to modernize a space’s look. They also create a calm atmosphere and positive energy that promotes productivity and concentration. In addition, succulents are excellent for the air. Succulent roots pump air toward the soil. When harmful toxins, like VOCs, reach the roots, they convert the chemicals into nutrients. While combating indoor air pollution, succulents also replenish the air by emitting fresh oxygen.
Top Succulent Varieties
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoes are some of the most cheerful succulents available. They have broad, bright-green leaves and bloom with big clusters of tiny, delicate-looking flowers in vibrant shades of pink, yellow, orange, white, and red. With the right care, a kalanchoe will start blooming each year in the autumn and continue to flower until spring, effectively brightening up the entire season of short days.
Orange Kalanchoe
Echeveria
Echeveria are some of the most commonly used succulents. They grow in a signature starburst or rosette shapes, and different varieties come in different colors such as shades of green, red, pink, and even black. Echeveria are perfect to use in succulent gardens, and they are also commonly included as unexpected accents in modern floral arrangements.
If you receive an echeveria in a bouquet, don’t throw it out when the flowers are spent. Pot it in soil. Roots will sprout, and you’ll be able to continue enjoying a piece of your bouquet for years to come.
Succulents – Echeveria
Jade Plant
Jades are another type of popular succulent plant. With deep-green leaves and brown-colored stems, they resemble miniature trees. They’re lovely planted among other succulents in a large planter, but also do well on their own. Jade plants live incredibly long lives with the proper care, and they often wind up getting passed down, generation to generation, in families.
Jade Plant
How to Care for Indoor Succulents
Succulents are incredibly easy to care for because they do best when they’re mostly left alone. They rarely need to be watered, and they don’t need to be pruned. Pot succulents with soil formulated specifically for cacti or succulents in a container that will drain easily. Place them in a location where they will receive plenty of sunlight, and rotate the pot periodically to promote even growth.
Succulent – Green Graptoveria z
Water succulents only when the soil has dried completely. When watering, soak the soil thoroughly, but don’t let your succulent sit in standing water. If your succulent’s leaves begin turning yellow or brown this indicates distress. Most often, succulents die due to over-watering, but yellowed leaves can also indicate extreme thirst. Check the soil and contact an expert at Mission Viejo Florist for advice.
