7 Strategies for Growing Succulents Indoors in Any Climate
Have you ever tried to grow succulents? Having some green and life in your house can feel so good, especially when the winter hits hard and all things outside seems to go to rest for the next few months. Surrounding yourself with some hints of summer can be a nice treat.
If you are looking to bring some life into your home, but want to keep it low maintenance, then growing succulents might be a great option for you this winter. They have a reputation for being pretty low maintenance and easy to care for, however, many people have had a really hard time keeping their succulents alive indoors.
If you are not from the typical climate where cacti grow wild, then having a little bit of background information will be helpful as you grow your succulents. Here are 7 key tips that will help to make your time growing succulents a success.
Tip 1 – Succulents are Desert Plants
When you are preparing to grow succulents, you have to be aware of the climate that they thrive in. Succulents are from the desert, and typically grow best outdoors. Specifically, succulents prefer dry air. So, depending on your own climate, you might have to adjust what you do to help them survive in a different environment. For example, if you live in a humid climate, let your succulents dry out completely between each watering.
These plants are made for times of drought as they are made for the desert. Even their leaves hold moisture for them to use then they are growing. For the winter, it is important to remember that they do not need as much water. Most succulents go dormant during the winter and will need a period of cold to help them produce more blooms in the spring and summer time. Because of that, they do not need as much water. Cassidy Tuttle of Succulents and Sunshine states that she waters her succulents every 2 weeks in the winter time.
Bring your succulents in before it snows and keep them at a temperature between 50 – 60 degrees. You don’t want them to get near freezing temperatures as they might not do well.
Tip 2 – Succulents love Sun
Just as you love and need the sun, even in the winter months, so do your succulents. Your goal should be to get your succulents at least 6 hours of sun a day. Finding the best way possible to get your succulents lots and lots of sun will help to make sure that they keep alive and growing. They love hot places with lots of sunshine. If you live in an area that doesn’t get much sun, you might have to substitute for a heat light of some kind. Read more here to see what options you have.
Tip 3 – Not All Succulents are the same
When you begin to grow your succulents, it might feel discouraging if they do not seem to be making it. However, take heart that not all succulents are the same. Some might prefer indoors, while you might find that others just can’t survive. Try a few different types out to see what might work best with your environment. Succulents and Sunshine, Haworthisa and Gasteraloes are two genus of succulents that do pretty well indoors.
Tip 4 – Start with Green Ones
According to Gardenista, “The Greener the succulents that you choose, the great the chances that they will survive indoors. While, the gray and blue and purple ones are pretty, the ones with the bright green leafs seem to survive the best indoors. The ones that have the color seem to be more suited for outdoor growing.
Since you might be disappointed not having the color variety, you don’t have to skimp on the variety in shapes. Look for the green ones, but find them in all different shapes. Having the variety of shapes will be fun and look great too.
Tip 5 – Give Succulents Space
Succulents are meant to grow outdoors, so when you bring them indoors you have to make adjustments to help them thrive. One way you can do that is by giving them more space. That way, each plant will get the maximum about of light and sunshine and nutrients to survive.
Tip 6 – Don’t Grow Succulents in Glass
When you are picking out a pot for your succulents, it is important to make sure that you try to avoid glass and to make sure they it has a great ability to drain. Succulents do not like to be in soil that is soggy, especially in the winter months when they do not need as much water. If a succulent is watered too much in soil that does not get drained they are more as risk for bugs a disease.
Tip 7 – Succulents Can be Brought Back to Life
If you notice your succulent isn’t doing so good there is still hope. Maybe you have noticed that they are getting “leggy” according to Gardenista, you can snip off the stems, strip the leaves and root the leaves in potting soil. Doing this will help bring them back to life.
In fact, many people might think their succulent is not doing so hot because they are noticing the leaves at the bottom are dying off. This is actually just a part of the life of your plant. What you want to pay attention to is if the leaves are dying out on the top – the newer foliage.
Wrapping it Up
Succulents are a wonderful addition to any home. The variety of shapes, sizes, and colors that they come in make them so unique. If you decide to grow them in your home indoors, know that it is possible, even in the northern part of the country where there are harsh winters. Just make sure that you keep in mind these 7 tips to help your succulents have the best chance to survive.
Over to You
Have you tried growing succulents? What did you do that helped you find success? We would love to hear your story! Please let us know in the comments below.
