Succulents are hardy, drought-resistant plants that have thickened leaves that usually store water. These attractive plants are ideal for a beginner’s garden because they thrive in arid climates and require little attention.
Succulents differ from many traditional plants in their appearance. They have swollen leaves and appendages that stay supple by storing fluids, which allows them to survive when water is unavailable. Therefore, succulents do well even if a gardener forgets to water the pot once or twice.
Taking Care of Succulents
Because these hardy plants do well in dry climates, they also thrive in houses where there is little humidity. They prefer the warmth and direct light, making a windowsill or open room a perfect place to watch them grow.
Overwatering is the most common reason succulents die or wither. Too much water will kill the plant. To keep the plant thriving, allow the soil to dry completely between waterings, erring on the side of dryness. These plants have specially adapted to living with less precipitation so that they can survive without a lot of water, so water sparingly.
Which Succulent Family Should You Start With?
Plant families within the group of succulents include sedum, cactus, sempervivum, agave, bromeliad and aloe.
Sedum
Sedums are the easiest succulents to grow. Their low-maintenance needs makes them perfect for beginners. There are 400–500 species of sedums. The leaves vary from small and needlelike to large and flat, and their shape may be oval or round. They can be planted close together in small groups to form a thick carpet.
Burro’s tail is one of the sedum genius and an excellent starter plant and looks especially striking when paired with other succulents. Its fleshy, bulbous leaves grow on stems like rope, which gives the plant an unusual “tailed” appearance. It prefers medium- to fast-draining soil and plenty of time between watering, so beginning gardeners don’t have to be especially cautious.
Cactus
Cacti are easy to grow and won’t require much attention. You can buy cacti at your local garden store and plant them in full sun or in partial shade. Cacti naturally occur in a wide range of habitats and are grown in many countries with different climates.
Sempervivum
Sempervivums are an easy succulent to grow, as they’re low-maintenance and produce a nice amount of leaves throughout the year. Sempervivums are among the most frost-resistant succulents, making them popular garden plants. They tend to grow best in dry conditions with well-draining, sandy soil to prevent soggy roots. Sempervivums like to be placed in warm areas with bright light.
Agave
Agaves are one of the easiest succulents to grow. They require little to no water when they are established, and you can plant them in full sun, but they will tolerate partial shade. It needs gritty soil that percolates easily.
Bromeliad
Bromeliads will look great on your patio or deck. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are relatively easy to grow. Bromeliads require a little more water than most succulents. Watering your bromeliad once a week is sufficient. If you’re looking to create a bromeliad garden with more space, plant a few plants together.
Aloe
Aloe is a great beginner’s plant in that it that thrives with minimal watering and is suitable as a houseplant as well as for the outdoor garden.
Aloe Vera is the most well known Aloe and one of the most popular houseplants in the world. Its leaves are fanned-out blades that serve several medicinal purposes, including cuts and burns. Just snip off a piece and use the liquid between the waxy, fleshy walls. The plant recovers quickly and will seal off as the cut portion continues growing. Planting aloe in a sunny spot will ensure that you’ll have a green plant that’s ready to produce leaves all year long.
Takeaway
Beginners may find the idea of gardening enjoyable but fear it will be too time- and labor-intensive. Starting off with succulents, however, allows them to start growing something that doesn’t need constant attention. Succulent plants can survive with minimal care and are beautiful additions to a garden.
