Succulents: The Perfect Low-Maintenance Plants for Any Gardener
Did you know that there are over 10,000 types of succulent plants found all over the world? Whether you are a self-proclaimed plant killer or just looking to start your indoor garden journey, succulents will give you a forgiving entry point. Not only do they have the ability to store water, as their name suggests, but they can also store water. Succulents store water in their leaves, stems, and roots, meaning they will thrive in this condition if someone forgets to care for them or water them regularly.
We have discovered many types of succulent plants that vary in appearance. These diverse types of succulents can thrive in environments ranging from coastal cliffs to point regions. Many are important, and many varieties require little attention. Sometimes we have found them to be the perfect companions, even without a care. Even if we are unable to care for them due to our busy or forgetful schedule, they know how to take care of themselves. Proper care only requires that the soil be fertile and that there be proper watering. We can guide you further this time, so that you can transform your plant to become a succulent enthusiast in no time.
Understanding Succulent Basics
If we talk about the defining characteristics of the succulent, its function is that it stores water, and the main reason for this is that it has some specialized tissues for this function. These fascinating plants adapt themselves to survive in harsh environments, and for this, they have developed adaptations such as thick fleshy parts that act as water storage. Unlike conventional plants, succulents are plants having about above than 60 families instead of other plants, with Aizoaceae, Cactaceae, and Crassulaceae being the dominant groups.
What makes a plant a succulent?
Succulents get their name from the Latin word sucus, meaning juice or sap. These plants store water through a variety of structures, such as cacti, which store water in their stems with reduced or absent leaves, while others, such as agave, concentrate water in their leaves. The water content in some succulent organs reaches 95 percent, making them astonishing.
A remarkable adaptation found in many succulents is their unique approach to photosynthesis. Unlike other plants, many succulents have stomata, which are small mouth-like structures on their leaves that remain closed during the day and open at night. This pattern minimizes water loss during the intense heat of the day while allowing them to absorb carbon dioxide at night. They use a modified form of photosynthesis called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism.
Why succulents are ideal for beginners
The most ideal thing about succulents is that they are a beginner-friendly plant. When we worked on this project, what should we have considered in selecting them? The most convenient thing about this plant is that it requires a modest amount of water and fertilizer. In addition, we have obtained it with little demand. Moreover, it can survive in both indoor and outdoor environments. If there is low humidity, about 10 to 30 percent, then it becomes a more ideal house plant. Since we have both indoor and outdoor for it, we often used to keep it in the garden, and sometimes we would shift it to our indoor as well. It has survived better in both environments. Then its fleshy leaves and stems store water, allowing succulents to endure extended drought periods.
By making it durable and especially temporarily independent of external water supply, these qualities make it a great companion for busy people, or even if there are many travelers. Sometimes we are too busy with our work or even forget to water or fertilize, so these plants automatically survive in these conditions and thrive better. Therefore, it is ideal for beginners and also for those with busy schedules.
Common misconceptions about succulent care
All succulents need direct sunlight. They enjoy a little bright light, but if it gets too bright, it can also make them harsh. We had planted our succulents in direct sunlight, but the strong afternoon sun started burning them, so we created a schedule where sunlight would fall on them in the morning, and their daily consumption of six to eight hours would be complete, but they were a little protected from the afternoon sunlight. Plant the succulents in soil, but in this one, the drainage is good. We have used pure drainage soil, so it avoids absorbing too much water, and the balance of the soil mixed with it remains better.
Succulents require little water, and for this reason, even if we were unable to water them due to our busy schedules, they would survive. Since they are drought-tolerant, Succulents do not require regular watering, and even if the soil dries out completely, it is not a problem. All succulents are cacti, and many cacti are considered succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. The succulent family includes several genera such as Echeveria, Haworthia, and Sedum, that lack the distinctive areoles and spines of true cacti.
Indoor vs Outdoor Succulent Types
You had to select which plants would thrive best in your garden environment. Some need a little light indoors, while most need full sun outdoors to show off their best color and growth. We had both types of plants, and we have tried both in reverse environments and also in direct conditions, that is, in an indoor and outdoor conditions. We did not get any better results in the opposite environment, but if you do it in order, you get very good results.
Best indoor succulents for low light
Not all succulents need bright light. We tested the (Haworthiopsis fasciata) Zebra plant and found that it does not need much light, and it stays green and compact even with a little light exposure. The Snake plant is adaptable, whether it is in dim conditions or bright light, and it thrives in several conditions. For those who want to find a unique texture, the Gasteraloe ‘Green Ice’ is a tough plant with a minimum water requirement. The Jade Plants (Crassula ovata) also perform well indoors, but the good fortune is that if you want to plant it up.
Top outdoor succulents for full sun
For scorching outdoor locations, Portulacaria afra (Elephant Bush) handles temperatures well over 100°F in full sun. Agave varieties display striking forms while thriving under intense heat and sunshine. Opuntia (Prickly Pear) belongs to the largest cactus family and offers unique desert appeal with exceptional heat tolerance. Sempervivum produces charming rosettes covered in white hair that shine in sunny garden spots.
Beginner-Friendly Succulent Varieties
Those who are new to the world of succulents are often completely unfamiliar with many of the varieties, so these beginner-friendly varieties that combine resilience with aesthetic appeal make the perfect starting point for your collection. We will share that experience with you, and we will also suggest that if you are a beginner and want to work on succulents, you should consider these types of succulents.
Aloe Vera
It is a medicinal plant, a soothing gel. Most people keep aloe vera on the roofs of their houses or in the garden. We have also done something similar, which survives well even in normal light conditions. We have also been using the thick liquid or gel from it for hair. Apart from this, if the skin has rashes or there is any injury, then it is also very beneficial for relief.
Jade Plant
If properly maintained, the jade plant can live for many years, and this wide-stemmed and oval-shaped plant develops succulents, which have thick stems and store water. You can also keep your jade plant in bright light so that it gets at least four hours of indirect sunlight a day. In addition, we have used minimal fertilization on this plant; even then, it has survived for several weeks without watering, and this is ideal for those gardeners who want a forgetful experience. Sometimes, as happened to us, we forget to water or there is a lack of fertilization, so this is a good opportunity for such gardeners to reduce the amount of water they need on this plant, but proper care increases its lifespan.
Snake Plant
Snack plants have upright leaves that have a distinctive pattern and are highly adaptable to low light. In addition, they purify the air and require minimal attention. Watering them once every two to six weeks is sufficient. The soil should be kept completely dry between waterings. Their architectural form adds dramatic vertical interest to any space. When we tried to grow this plant in our garden, we had a truly remarkable experience that we probably wouldn’t get with any other plant.
Conclusion
Scleranthus are undoubtedly found in many varieties, and if you want to plant them in your garden, whether indoor or outdoor, then it will be a remarkable journey for you because scleranthus give you a very different entry point. Some of the basics of scleranthus are that they have specialized tissues and thick leaves and stems so that they can store water, and the special reason for making them marketable is that they store water as much as possible instead of water intake. It does not require much watering, and it is perfect for those gardeners or enthusiasts who do not have much experience in gardening and still have a passion for this thing because it does not require much care.
Because it neither needs much watering nor much care, and instead, if it gets a little water, it stores it inside itself. Apart from that, it needs bright light, it can survive with a little light. Apart from that, there are both indoor and outdoor types. Indoor plants require minimal care and a short period of sunlight, while outdoor plants require more sunlight, but they can survive even in minimal sunlight. In addition, some special types are best for beginners, of which the aloe vera, jade plant, and snake plants are particularly noteworthy.
Modified images originally by Freepik