What Are Succulents? Top questions and where to buy them

By :Carly Rushforth 0 comments

The plant kingdom has some of the most exotic creatures on this planet - Succulents are one of them! Interestingly, most of us have used succulents at some point, but it’s not a word that you would hear commonly.

The word succulent comes from the Latin word "succus,” which means juice or moisture. Succulents have a thick, fleshy stem with leaves on the top. They can be found in dry and arid climates such as deserts and usually survive low rainfall amounts. Most succulents are green, but you can find varieties of blue, orange, pink, purple, and red.

Succulents can be an asset to your garden in the harsh conditions of drought or extreme heat. This article will explore some valuable aspects of succulents and answer ten questions to help you better care for these plants.

What Does a Succulent Symbolize?

Succulents represent a deep meaning in our attitude towards life. Most plants cannot survive under extreme heat and dry conditions. However, succulents have this incredible ability to withstand harsh environments.

Succulents symbolize selflessness and an opportunistic mindset, as they store whatever moisture is available to them. They have a positive attitude towards life, accepting whatever is on offer and making the best of it. Tough on the outside but soft and fleshy inside, they symbolize that it’s the inside that truly matters!

Are Succulents Indoor Plants?

As succulents survive in extreme conditions, they can grow conveniently almost anywhere. Most succulents thrive outdoors, but there are many indoor succulent species you can grow inside your home.

Here are some popular indoor succulents:

Aloe Vera

Burro’s Tail

Jade Plant

Plush Plant

Bear’s Paw Succulent

Snake Plants

Pincushion Cactus

Indoor succulents are pretty low-maintenance and have incredible designs, complementing the interior decor. Therefore, they are ideal for indoor planting.

Do Succulents Need the Sun?

You can grow indoor succulents under artificial lights. Sunlight has an advantage, though, as it tends to bring out more vibrant colors from the succulents.

Succulents are both indoor and outdoor plants. So, not all of them need sunlight for flawless growth. However, they need some light source for development. Moreover, succulents tend to sip the water and go back to living in dry conditions; they grow best in dry soil. As sunlight dries the ground quicker, it can impact succulent growth.

In short, succulents may not need the sun, but if there is easy access, sunlight can be an additional benefit for succulents.

Do Succulents Need Water?

As compared to other plants, succulents need very little water for survival and growth. Succulents can survive without water, but they still need some of it. There is a thin line between overwatering and underwatering these plants. Hence, your houseplants must get the optimal amount of water.

Overwatered Succulents

You may overwater succulents if you don’t give sufficient time to the soil to dry off completely. If the soil consistently stays damp, it will end up rotting the roots and stems. Moreover, a rotted stem means rotted roots, so it might be too late to save your plant.

Underwatered Succulents

If your succulents are water-deprived, you will notice wrinkles and dried leaves. At times, succulents may die due to water scarcity. So if you see dry and charred soil around the plant, it’s time to give them a quick drink.

You can also try pressing the leaves. If they feel resilient, there is enough water inside.

How Do Succulents Store Water?

Succulents have specialized cells in roots, stems, and leaves. As a result, they are quick to capture any moisture or water available to the plant. Using their water-absorbing cells, succulents can store enough water to survive for multiple days without additional water.

Unlike other plants, succulents can adapt well without rain due to their ability to slow down transpiration by closing up pores on their leaves.

How do Succulents Reproduce?

Succulents can reproduce in a few different ways, including leafing and stem cutting. Multiplying succulents is much easier than other plants.

Leafing

In leafing, you must cut the leaf from where it joins the stem. Make sure to:

Use a clean and sharp blade.
Place the leaves in soiled containers with minimum light exposure.
Cut plumpy and pulp leaves.

Since leafing is a simple technique, it is the best option to grow succulents in bulk.

Stem Cuttings

Succulents with long stems can be easily reproduced with stem cuttings. However, you should find shorter stems to cut because they can grow quicker. Also, make sure that you plant the leftover branch to let it heal itself.

Are Succulents Poisonous?

Most succulents are harmless to humans and are even common ingredients in several medications. For instance, Aloe Vera is a famous agent for skin ointments. On the other hand, some poisonous succulents like Euphorbias can be toxic, so they aren’t the best option for house plants.

Can Succulents handle Cold Water?

When you water succulents with icy cold water, it can put them in a state of shock. Moreover, the roots are pretty sensitive, so you will end up damaging the plant.

Frosty temperatures may cause severe damage to the leaves and stems of your plant, so make sure you only use lukewarm or room temperature water when tending to your succulent's needs.

Are Succulents Easy to Take Care of?

Succulents are super-friendly in terms of maintenance and handling. They don’t have tantrums and can grow on minimal water. When you grow succulents at home, they multiply quicker because of optimal conditions. So, out of all plant options, succulents are worth a go for your indoor garden.

Why Succulents Make Good House Plants?

Minimal watering, easy handling, and quick reproduction make succulents ideal for house planting.

Apart from being easy to maintain, succulents have perfect looks. Their numerous vibrant options are quite different from conventional plants in design and structure. As a result, they give a unique feel indoors and can go with most types of interior decor. Some of these plants may not appear too elegant, which lets you make a style statement of their own.

Succulents come in many shapes and sizes but are often recognized by their fleshy appearance and the presence of spines for protection from predators.

Conclusion

Succulents are living proof of biodiversity. They tick most boxes when it comes to elegance, maintenance, and reproduction. Moreover, their endurance with harsh conditions teaches a valuable life lesson of standing tall against physical and emotional problems.

Time to decorate your house with some of these beauties?

You can shop for our newly added succulents for sale here.
We also have our curated list of collector plants here.
You can also of course shop for your favorite houseplants by visiting our main shop!