If you’re new to succulent gardening, you may be wondering what are the best plants for your home. Here are some great choices: Echeveria, Senecio/Curio rowleyanus, Gasteria, and Sempervivum. Each of these plants is a unique combination of color and texture. Read on to learn more about each of these amazing plants! They’re all great for home gardens, and they’re also great as decorations, too.
Gasteria
When it comes to deciding which succulent plants to buy, Gasteria are among the best. These plants require minimal maintenance, but a good location and a few basic tips will ensure that they thrive. Keeping these succulent plants happy is easy because they have adapted to a similar environment as their natural habitat. You will also need a potting mix with a high percentage of organic matter and sand. If you’re unsure of what soil to choose, you can purchase a commercial succulent planting mix in some sand.
This plant family is very popular, with 16 to 23 different species available. While many succulents thrive in full sunlight, Gasteria is more tolerant of shade than most of them. You should plant them in a semi-shady area if possible. If you’d rather grow them indoors, choose a semi-shade container with a window that gets filtered light. While Gasteria does well in full sun, they need bright light to thrive.
You should keep your Gasteria plant in a container that can tolerate a drought in the winter. You should plant it in a container that has drainage holes so that it can absorb excess moisture. This succulent grows slowly and will often outgrow its container if given too much attention. However, it will reward you with stunning blooms throughout the year. If you want to add a little color to your house, Gasteria is the perfect choice.
Senecio/Curio rowleyanus
The most common variety of Senecio/Curio Rowleyanus is the String of Pearls. This plant requires a warm, draft-free environment and bright indirect sunlight for good health. The best indoor location is near a window, where the light is plentiful and there is no chance of frost. This succulent plant also likes an airy spot and should be planted in a drainage-hole-equipped pot. They do not tolerate prolonged periods of rain, so you should make sure to buy a pot that has an appropriate drainage hole.
The Senecio/Curio Rowleyanus plant is a perennial with trailing stems that make a great choice for hanging baskets. This plant has small, pea-like leaves with a dark green window. It has small, white flowers that bloom in summer. The leaves and stems are often twined to create a more interesting look. This plant likes consistent, warm temperatures in the summer but requires a cool period to recover during the winter.
The String of Pearls, or Senecio rowleyanus, is a unique plant that has unusual, nearly-sphere-shaped leaves. This plant was named for British botanist Gordon Rowley and recently moved to a new genus. However, it is most likely to be labeled as Senecio Rowleyanus in botanical publications. It is native to the dry regions of the eastern Cape. The striped round leaves are translucent and have a distinct texture and color.
Echeveria
This plant requires a relatively low water supply, and can be grown both indoors and outdoors. The frequency of watering depends on the amount of sunlight, temperature, humidity, and type of soil. It is not particularly demanding when it comes to fertilizer; you can use a general-purpose product to feed it. Although this succulent is not suitable for human consumption, it is still a good choice for those who want to grow a succulent in a container.
These plants grow in a variety of sizes and colors. Echeveria rosettes can be anywhere from half an inch to 20 inches across when fully mature. Most echeverias are slow-growing, and their offsets, called hen and chicks, are easily propagated. Their flowers are stunning, and they do well in container gardens. They are easy to maintain. And if you don’t want to grow your own plants, you can buy them online.
There are countless types of echeveria succulents, including many that have colorful leaves. The best types have several colors on the same plant. Some have a red accent at the tip of each leaf, while others have a range of duo-toned hues throughout. The color wheel of echeveria succulents is as wide and varied as a painter’s. These plants are also very popular in rock gardens and as wedding flora.
Sempervivum
If you want a succulent with exceptional qualities, Sempervivum is your best choice. Sempervivum is known to ease menstrual pain in women. Its high antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties will help eliminate warts and ear infections. The best part about growing a sempervivum succulent is that it is easy to propagate through seeds and offsets produced every year.
Sempervivum are pet-friendly and come in many varieties. Many nurseries and home improvement stores carry these succulents. For more colors and sizes, visit Mountain Crest Gardens. Sempervivum are easy to propagate from cuttings, so you can share with friends. Sempervivum are pet-safe, and they grow well in a sunny spot. The following are tips for growing Sempervivum succulents in your own garden.
Sempervivum are tolerant of cold, heat, and low light. They are a great choice for windowsills or clumping containers. They grow well in USDA climate zones three through 11.
Calico Kitten
If you’d like to grow succulents indoors, consider growing Calico Kitten. They are easy to grow and tolerate full sun, although they need to be gradually acclimated to avoid sunburn. You can plant them in a sunny east-facing window, but south or west-facing windows can also work. Plants need a little shade to stay healthy, but too much light can lead to sunburn and excessive stretching.
In addition to a warm, bright room, Calico Kitten plants prefer a humid indoor environment with some additional light. While it’s unlikely you’ll be able to achieve this ideal humidity indoors, you can create a humid environment by placing a wet paper towel in front of your succulent. A few hours of extra light in the morning and evening can improve its health and prevent heat stress. Indoors, your Calico Kitten succulent plant will require a slightly higher humidity level.
Like most succulent plants, the Calico Kitten can develop an aphid or mealybug infestation. Aphids and mealybugs feed on the sap of calico kittens. You can treat an infected plant by applying an insecticide formulated for houseplants. Alternatively, you can treat the plant with a rubbing alcohol-water mixture. If you notice any of these problems, take the time to treat your plant.
Hens-and-Chicks
Among the most common types of succulents, hens-and-chicks are a favorite among aficionados for their unique shapes and colors. Usually sold in containers in garden centers, hens-and-chicks grow quickly if given the right conditions. You will need at least six inches of space for your plant to spread out. Then, you can transplant them into a larger container.
Hens-and-chicks succulents are easy to grow in the home or outside, and make excellent container plants. If you live in a colder climate, you can grow these succulents indoors. When planted in containers, you can move them around for optimum light exposure. They thrive on neglect, so you can easily move them to a different location if needed.
To grow Hens-and-Chicks, you must first determine the right soil for them. Succulents thrive best in well-draining soil with a pH level of 7.0. If you don’t have this level of soil, you can try using a cactus mix. This mix contains larger particles that help water drain away from the plant’s roots more easily.
Ponytail Palm
If you want to grow a Ponytail Palm plant, there are several tips you should know. This type of succulent grows best in a large pot that allows it to breathe and drain well. Also, it needs several inches of space between its caudex and the edge of the pot. The bottom of the container should have drainage holes, as the soil will dry out faster if you use plastic containers.
This plant propagates through side shoots and pups. When you dig up a ponytail palm plant in the spring, you’ll see a pup joining its mother. This process should be repeated every year until the plant starts to grow. If you want to have more than one ponytail palm plant, it’s a good idea to start with an offset and propagate from there. Once you’ve got one, you can divide it and enjoy the flowers of it.
The best time to plant a ponytail palm is in the spring. Place it in a bright window for the summer. Ponytail palms can survive on normal room temperature, but during the winter months, they should be moved to a cooler location. Do not keep the pot too close to cold windows, as this will severely damage your plant. When repotting your Ponytail palm, be sure to use a potting mix that is well-drained.