Succulents are affordable, low-maintenance, and fun to collect, so it’s no wonder that they’ve become some of the most popular houseplants. With seemingly endless varieties, they can be potted in just about any container and matched to any interior design style. Our florists at Boyd’s Flowers love them because they’re the perfect way to brighten up your home during a dreary Wilmington winter. Plus, they’ll stay beautiful throughout the year.
What’s So Different About Succulents Compared to Other Plants?
Most plants sprout papery, thin leaves, but succulents have thick, rubbery leaves or spines. These specialized leaves are superheroes when it comes to storing and conserving water. Succulents tend to grow in places around the world where water is hard to come by like on tree bark in rainforests and in arid environments like the desert.
The Benefits of Growing Succulents Inside
Succulents offer all the benefits of having live plants in your environment but in a modern, upbeat way! Just like other green plants, succulents in your work or living space will improve your concentration and add tranquility to the atmosphere. They’ll also improve the air quality by filtering out toxins, like harmful VOCs. Succulent roots draw these chemicals in and convert them into nutrients. They also replenish the oxygen in the air.
Various Succulent Plants
Our Favorite Succulent Varieties
Echeveria
This variety of succulent grows into a starburst-shaped plant. Depending on the type, echeveria plants feature leaves with different shapes and textures including pointed, stick-like, tubular, and round. They also vary greatly in color, as some plants are a ghostly pale green, others a deep green, some dusty pink, and one almost black.
Succulents – Echeveria
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoes are arguably the most cheerful of all succulents. They have deep-green, paddle-shaped leaves and bloom with clusters of small flowers in bright shades of pink, red, yellow, orange, and white. With proper care, a kalanchoe will bloom in the autumn and continue producing flowers until spring.
Kalanchoe
Aeonium
Aeonium succulents grow in either singular starbursts or clusters of rosettes. This variety of succulent’s most striking feature, however, is its variegated leaves. With stripes of yellow and green or pink and green, these succulents stun in a succulent garden that includes an array of plants.
Succulent – Aeonium
Aeonium Succulent
How to Care for Your Indoor Succulents
Succulents are some of the simplest plants to care for. Given the right conditions, they’ll basically thrive on neglect.
First, pot your succulents in a pot that drains easily. It’s good to remember that tighter root systems promote more growth, so don’t put your succulents in too big of a container. Succulents also need a warm location that receives plenty of sunlight. South or east-facing windows are best.
Finally, be cautious about over-watering succulents. They require less water than you might think. Typically, water once a month in the winter and once every week or two in the summer. Be sure you allow the soil to dry completely before watering.
If you notice your succulent’s leaves turning brown or yellow, this is a sign of distress. The most common cause of succulent death is too much water, but keeping a succulent too dry can also have the same effect. Check your plant’s soil to determine what’s wrong and contact an expert at Boyd’s Flowers for help.
