Succulents are easy to care for, fun to collect, and surprisingly affordable, so it’s no surprise that they’ve become some of the most popular houseplants. They’re a great way to add live plants to your home’s decor in an upbeat and modern way. At Breen’s Florist, we love succulents because they thrive naturally in Pasadena and Houston’s warm, sunny weather.
What’s So Special About Succulents?
Unlike other plants, succulents have unique and unusual leaves or spikes, instead of the typical papery thin leaves of most plants. Succulents grow in different places around the world, where they need to store water, and their specialized leaves do so very efficiently. In nature, you can find succulents in arid places like deserts and also growing from tree bark in humid rainforests.
The Amazing Benefits of Growing Indoor Succulents
There are so many reasons that succulents make excellent plants. They can tolerate dry conditions, and they do not experience the unpleasant side effects of dry air, like other plants. They don’t need to fertilizers to grow, and they can pretty much go in any room of the house without worrying about what type of light they need.
Like other living plants, indoor succulents have health benefits, too. They’ll create a calm, tranquil atmosphere that improves concentration and ease. They also filter harmful toxins, like VOCs, from the air, as their roots draw these chemicals into the soil and convert them into nutrients. In addition to purifying indoor air pollution, they also replenish the oxygen for easy breathing.
Jade Plant
Some of the Most Popular Kinds of Succulents
Echeveria
These are some of the most popular types of succulents, as you’ll find them in almost every succulent garden available to purchase and in pretty much every garden center you visit. Echeveria grows into starburst-shaped plants and feature a wide range of colors. Some are a ghostly pale green, while another variety is a nearly-black shade of red. Plus, they grow in a range of shades of green and pink in between.
Echeveria
Aloe
Aloe plants are most famous for their medicinal properties, but they’re also wonderful to look at. These plants come in different sizes and a variety of green hues. Their spiky leaves resemble toy dinosaur tails and some types of aloe even have stripes and spines to match.
Aloe Plant
Graptoveria
These little lovelies, not to be confused with echeveria, bloom in lotus-like starbursts. Different types of graptoveria account for some of the most vibrantly colored succulents, including one variety, called a Debbie that’s almost a Technicolor shade of violet.
Graptoveria
How to Keep Your Succulents Healthy Indoors and Out
Succulents almost grow themselves. You may find that you have forgotten about your plant, and it has grown a few inches bigger in no time. That being said, they do need some specific conditions in which to thrive. Make sure you have your succulents in a drainable pot. You don’t want them sitting water. When you do water a succulent, soak it until the dirt is wet, make sure it drains, and then leave it alone until it’s completely dry again. Never water a succulent daily. Succulents can use the natural humidity to water themselves when the environment is in its favor. They do this especially well on an open-air patio in Houston weather.
If your succulent leaves start to turn yellow or brown, it’s most likely because it’s been over-watered. Check the soil, and then contact an expert at Breen’s Florist for additional help.
