Guide to the world of succulents and cactuses
Succulents: Plants that Live on Light and Beauty
Succulents are more than just plants: they are small living sculptures, capable of transforming any corner.
In botanical terms, "succulent" does not refer to a precise species, but rather a family of plants that store water in their tissues, surviving harsh and particular conditions. Hence their proverbial
resilience and ease of care, but it's important to analyze their preferences more closely to understand them and, consequently, care for them in the best way.
Selection of succulent plants
Why Love Succulents
Behind their apparent "simplicity" lies a world of incredible shapes, colors, and varieties. These are plants with personality: fleshy leaves, unusual forms, and unexpected blooms.
- They are relatively resilient and, understanding their simple needs, our relationship with them will be far from complex.
- They allow for experimentation: you can mix varieties, pair them with unique pots, and create compositions.
Mix and varieties to experiment with
The Basics of Succulent Care
While every variety has its more or less specific preferences and needs, there are some basic factors that must be understood.
1. Light
Succulents love light: plenty of indirect light or full sun, depending on the species. Indoors, a bright window (south or west-facing) is ideal.
2. Soil and drainage
A must-have is well-draining substrate: it is fundamental to avoid water stagnation.
3. Watering: when do succulents need water?
Golden rule: when the substrate is completely dry, it's time to water.
When succulents need water, small symptoms associated with checking the substrate can often be observed: the leaves or stems feel soft to the touch.
It is necessary to use a pot with drainage holes, and ensure excess water drains well. In winter, watering can be reduced, especially for succulents in vegetative rest.
4. Temperatures and environment
Many succulents prefer warm days, with temperatures between 18°C and 32°C, and cooler nights. Cold drafts, excessive humidity, and frost should be avoided. Some species tolerate harsh temperatures down to 5°C. Therefore, to know which succulents need to be brought indoors during winter, it is advisable to consult the specifications for each variety.
5. Fertilization and repotting
It is good to fertilize during the growing season (spring-summer) with fertilizer for succulents. Repotting succulents is not a frequent process, and can be done every 1-2 years: the frequency depends on the growth of the root system. It is important to choose a pot of the right size, avoiding pots that have too many centimeters of difference.
Succulents for all tastes
The simple ones, to love
Rare and unique
More unusual varieties, unique shapes, refined colors: a step beyond.
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Debunking myths about succulents
There is often a tendency to drastically oversimplify the world of succulents, creating confusion for growers and, more importantly, leading to mistakes.
They are considered "plants that live on their own", capable of surviving any condition without care. In reality, the world of succulents is much more complex and fascinating.
Each species has specific needs in terms of light, water, and substrate, and generalizing easily leads to errors that can harm them. Truly understanding their needs allows us not only to keep them healthy but also to appreciate their extraordinary variety of forms, colors, and evolutionary adaptations.
It is often said that succulents "don't need water" or that they "live without attention," but this is an oversimplification that can cause them to suffer. It is true that they store water in their tissues and tolerate dry periods well, but this does not mean they should be forgotten or that all species have the same tolerance (some species require more frequent watering than one might imagine!).
They need adequate light, well-draining soil, and watering calibrated to the season. Treating them as plants that require no care leads to rot, unsightly etiolation, and loss of vigor. With a little knowledge and observation, however, they show all their beauty and resilience!
for a WOW Succulent collection!
Play with unusual pots, with unique textures or shapes, and combine stones to highlight their forms!