How to Care for Indoor Succulent Gardens
contributed by Donald Giddings of Green Living Zone.
Succulents are great plants to keep in your house. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they are also some of the easiest plants to take care of. Knowing how to care for an indoor succulent garden will help brighten up your house and improve your green thumb.
There are many different types of succulents available, each beautiful in their own way. The great thing about having an indoor succulent garden is that you can choose from a variety of different succulents to include. You will love the addition of having a succulent garden in your house.
How to Care for an Indoor Succulent Garden
It only takes a few easy steps to care for an indoor succulent garden. Once you have everything set up, the care is very simple. They are great plants to have in your home if you are a beginner gardener.
Even if you have no previous experience with succulents, you can still make an indoor succulent garden. Whether you live in a house or an apartment, they are a great feature for your home. In addition, they are affordable to buy.
Choosing the Right Succulents
Some succulents do better indoors than others. When choosing succulents for your indoor garden, look for burro’s tail, hens and chicks, aloe vera, jade plant, panda plant, snake plant, and zebra cactus. It is a good idea to get a variety of different succulents.
Making Your Garden
When making a succulent garden, you want to choose a pot that has drainage or add a layer of pea gravel to allow draining. You can choose a normal flower pot or use something decorative, even a mason jar can work. When choosing a soil, look for one that is specially designed for succulents or you can make your own mix.
Once your pot is ready, you can add your succulents. You can arrange them in any way you would like. You can even add some rocks to your garden for more decoration.
Placing Your Succulents
Most succulents need at least six hours of sunshine a day, so placement is key. Ideally, you will want to place your succulent garden by the brightest window in your house or by the one that will get the most light.
It is best to place your plants near a south or east-facing window. If your succulents are not getting enough sun, they will begin to stretch towards the sun to try to get light.
Watering Your Succulents
Though water is important for succulents, overwatering can become a big issue. Too much water is not healthy for succulent plants. They only need to be watered about once a week, once the soil has completely dried out.
Fertilizing Your Succulents
Succulents should be fertilized at least once a year. They will benefit most from fertilizing in spring, though it is a good idea to also fertilize again in late summer. A balanced, all-purpose fertilizer, such as 8-8-8 or 10-10-10, that is water soluble should be used.
Your Own Indoor Garden
Having an indoor succulent garden is a great addition to any home. Not only is it easy to maintain, but it will also make your home feel more welcoming.