When it comes to selecting succulents for your outdoor planters, you need to keep a few tips in mind. They need ample room to expand and grow. If you pack too much soil, you may end up with a plant with too much water in it. Alternatively, a larger container will hold more water, which will help the plant grow more easily. However, be sure to plan ahead and consider other considerations, too.
Dudleya
Dudleya succulents are a wonderful choice for your outdoor planters because they thrive in dry conditions. They should be kept out of direct sunlight and protected from the hot summer sun. They do not need much water, but should be watered when the soil is dry. During the summer months, Dudleyas go dormant. Watering them only once a month should suffice.
Although dudleya succulents grow well in pots, you may want to consider using larger pots to avoid exposing the roots to excessive sunlight. Although dudleyas are cold-hardy, you should move them to larger pots at least once a year to keep them from developing too much root mass. They are also more likely to develop duds than other types of plants. If you aren’t sure whether dudleyas will work in your outdoor planters, check out the Succulent City Plant Lounge.
When considering the best type of soil for your succulents, it’s important to remember that most don’t need much water once they are established. However, you’ll need to provide extra attention during winter months, which can make them a great gift for anyone on your list. Succulents also make great gifts to give as gifts alongside other succulents. If you’re looking for a special gift for a friend or family member, try buying a Dudleya succulent that has a beautiful color.
Once you’ve made up your mind to buy succulents, the next step is to choose a suitable container. The diameter of the pot should be about one to two inches bigger than the nursery pot, but it’s still up to you whether you want a square or a cylindrical pot. Remember that these plants need enough space to grow and expand. If you have too much soil, they will become too waterlogged.
Agave Ovatifolia
Agave Ovatifolia are great for outdoor planters. They are monocarpic, meaning they produce only one flower stalk in their lifetime. These plants bloom for a few weeks to several months before dying. Most varieties of agave are also poisonous to cats and dogs, so keep them out of your outdoor planters. They are native to Central and South America, but some species were used by the Olmec people.
They grow best in USDA hardiness zones 7-11. They can tolerate temperatures from 5 degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The best soil type for agaves is sandy, although they will tolerate rocky conditions. They need at least a full inch of soil. Agaves don’t need much fertilizer, but they will grow larger if they get enough of it. Depending on the size of your outdoor planter, they will need water once or twice a week.
The perfect plant for a sunny yard, agaves can be grown end to end near your property line to form a sharp living fence. They can even be planted next to palm trees in your outdoor planters. Together with palm trees, agaves can form an amazing bed. A stunning bed is created with bougainvillea, lavender, sage, and agave plants. You can even plant a small chiminea and relax under the shade of a succulent plant.
Once established, agaves do best with monthly watering, but twice-monthly watering is best in hotter climates. In winter, water them sparingly. Agaves can tolerate low rainfall, but are better suited to drier conditions. They grow best when well-drained soil is available. Despite their size, these plants are drought tolerant and tolerate partial shade. They also thrive in the shade.
Crassula ‘Buddha’s Temple’
If you’re in need of a new houseplant, consider using the hypnotizing Crassula Buddha’s temple succulent. This man-made hybrid is great for indoor or outdoor planters, but it has some special requirements. This plant should be kept out of reach of children and pets. In addition, it carries a toxicity that makes it toxic to animals. For this reason, you should make sure to place this plant in a protected location, or else it may develop a weak root system.
Crassula Buddha’s temple plants require a moist atmosphere, but not a soaking wet one. They need a balance of humidity and soil moisture, and a moist environment is ideal. A good way to water Crassula is with a soak and dry method. After watering, wait for at least four hours before watering again.
The easiest way to propagate this Crassula is by seed sowing. It will take several years to grow fully, but you can use offsets to propagate your new plant. Planting seeds requires soil that drains well, and you must wait for the offsets to form a callous before watering them. The soil must be well-drained to avoid rotting.
If you are going to use Buddha’s Temple as an outdoor plant, be sure to make sure to provide it with adequate watering. It has weak roots that do not like to be dry and can easily fall over. If you have the space, consider placing a stone around the stem to keep it upright. Once this is done, your new plant will be thriving and beautiful.
Hens and chicks
These plants are known for their low mounding habit and horizontal offsets. Their individual rosettes grow from one to four inches and two to twelve inches in diameter. Rosettes can grow up to 14 inches tall, and clumps can reach a spread of 24 to 36 inches. They’re deer-resistant and nontoxic to pets. They’re easy to grow, but should be protected from extreme heat.
To start your own Hens and chicks succulents in an outdoor planter, you can buy seedlings or offsets. You’ll need a pot small enough to fit the plants, cactus soil, and garden shears. To divide an offset, first separate the mother plant from its offspring. Then, use garden shears to carefully separate the offsets. If you’re planting seedlings, separate each plant by gently separating offspring from the mother plant. Identify the offspring by inspecting under the soil line, and then transplant the offsets to the desired location.
Hens and chicks are an easy plant to grow and enjoy. They tolerate drought, and they thrive in cracked soil. In a container, they can easily be combined with creeping sedum for a beautiful potted plant. Hens and chicks also make excellent planters. They need a bit of space to spread out. If you’re planting in a planter, give it about six to eight inches of space.
Hens and chicks can be grown in containers or in the ground. They grow best in sunny locations with temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive the winter months indoors as well, so they won’t go dormant. If you’re planning on growing a Hen and Chicks succulent in a pot, make sure to plant it in full sunlight.
Gasteria
To choose Gasteria succulents for outdoor planters, you should be aware of their unique needs. They do not do well in humid environments, but they can survive in less humid ones. However, you should not over-water them because they will quickly begin rotting from the ground up. To help them grow faster, fertilize them with compost manure when you plant them or repot them in spring. If you don’t want to buy seedlings, you can also buy fertiliser for your plants.
For watering, choose pots with drainage. This will allow excess water to drain away. In addition, choose pots with drainage holes, since pots that are not draining might cause the soil to retain water too long. If your succulents don’t have drainage, try mixing ordinary potting soil with some coarse sand or gravel. Wait at least two or three days before watering them. The reason for this is that they need time to soak up water.
Another great feature of Gasteria plants is their ability to send out many offsets. This means they will eventually outgrow their containers. Choose planters with drainage holes, as these plants need to keep the soil evenly moist, without getting soggy. They also love bright light and well-drained soil. If you have a plant-loving friend or family member, give them offsets. They can help propagate their plants.
If you choose to grow Gasteria succulents in pots, remember to use well-draining soil with a pH level between six and seven. You can also use commercial potting mix. For outdoor planters, a mix of sand and fast-draining potting soil is recommended. The combination of both will provide the plant with adequate drainage. The only caveat to growing Gasteria succulents in pots is the climate you live in.