Succulents are making a splash as indoor potted plants. A growing number of outdoor succulents, once thought of as dry climates, can now take center stage in the home, thanks to their fondness for dry, warm climates and their tolerance for slight neglect. If you’re looking to build your own indoor succulent garden and have an area that can take in hours of bright, direct sunlight, here are five options that could thrive.
Medicinal aloe vera, also known as Barbados aloe vera, works dual as an easy-to-care houseplant and a preferred source for soothing bites, inflammation, and burns, especially sunburn. It has hard, erect leaves that grow in the form of a cluster rosette cluster. Look for small mixes that are perfect for indoor displays.
Plant in well-drained soil and place in a place with bright, indirect light. South-facing windows are ideal, but they are also suitable for east- or west-facing locations. They perform best at indoor temperatures ranging from 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (12.8 to 26.7 degrees Celsius).
Water about every three weeks, or when the soil is 1 to 2 inches deep, and let it drain thoroughly; Plants should never be left in water. Water less in winter. In the spring and summer, fertilize with half the concentration of balanced fertilizer every month to six weeks to promote growth.
Note: While aloe vera is great for use as a topical lotion, it should not be ingested by humans or pets. Symptoms can range from unpleasant to toxic.
A donkey’s tail, also called a donkey’s tail, is used to hang containers. The stems are lined with tightly arranged, thick, gray-green leaves that can reach up to 4 feet in length, which is also the common name for this plant. Use it as a single plant or hang it on the edge of a mixing container. S. burrito (sometimes named after S. burrito) Sold under the name ‘Burro’) is slightly fatter, while the giant donkey tail (possibly under the name S. Burro’) is slightly fatter, while the giant donkey tail (possibly under the name S. Burro’) is slightly fatter, orpetti name for sale) has slightly shorter stems and thicker leaves. Because the leaves of a donkey’s tail store moisture, choose a sturdy container and hang it securely so that its weight doesn’t become an issue.
Choose well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic soils and place containers in places where you can get at least four to six hours of bright light, such as sunny south- or west-facing windows. Donkey tails work best in summer temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 to 23.9 degrees Celsius) and as low as 55 degrees Fahrenheit ( 12.8 degrees Celsius) in winter. You can also reduce the light a little during the winter months.
Allow the soil to dry between waterings, then water thoroughly and allow the soil to drain completely. Slightly reduce watering in winter. Fertilization is applied monthly with a half-concentration balanced fertilizer in spring and summer.
Tip: Donkey tail stems can easily break, so keep the plant in a safe place to avoid accidental rubbing.
It’s no surprise that hens and chicks, or leeks, have transformed from hardy outdoor succulents to indoor succulents. They grow well in most home temperatures and lower humidity, and you can easily mix them with other succulents in a container garden, or display them on their own. Thanks to the ever-increasing number of hybrids, you can now find hens-and-chicks in a variety of colors, from red and maroon to chartreuse, blue, and purple, in addition to familiar varieties.
These mountain dwellers are provided with fast-draining soil and bright, direct sunlight for at least six hours. Their color may fade in less light. They perform best during the day in temperatures ranging from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (i.e., 18.3 to 23.9 degrees Celsius) but can also adapt to very cold temperatures at night.
Water lightly, allow the container to drain completely, and allow the soil to dry between watering (if the plant shows signs of wilting, water it again). Fertilize four times in spring and summer with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer of a quarter strength.
The mother plant will die within four to six years, but once the “chicks” start to grow new plants, you can easily replant them.
Tip: Nematode Stone Lotus and Hybrid Stone Lotus are also sold as hens and chicks. They are very similar in appearance and can be cared for in the same way.
You can bring the jade tree into your home as a small houseplant, but given the right conditions, you end up with an eye-catching 4-foot-tall dendritic houseplant with shiny, plump green leaves and a thick trunk and stem. These qualities, combined with its easy-care properties, are the reason why jade plants are still a popular choice for houseplants.
Choose wide and sturdy pots, as the canopy of jade trees makes them top-heavy. Use a well-drained potting mix and place it in a place that can receive at least four hours of sunlight; South-facing windows are ideal. Jade trees with variegated leaves require less light. In winter, you should stay away from cold winds and away from cold windows. They grow best at temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 to 23.9 degrees Celsius) and as low as 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 12.8 degrees Celsius) in winter.
When the topsoil is dry to the touch, water thoroughly once or twice a month, making sure the water is well drained and the plants are not submerged in water. Winter is slightly reduced. Wrinkled leaves indicate insufficient watering.
Apply a balanced half-concentration of water-soluble fertilizer every other month, added when the soil is moist, to promote growth, although you can apply less. Wipe the leaves with water and a soft cloth to make them dust-free.
Tip: Look for a slightly smaller grower, such as C. ovata ‘Minima’ or C. ovata ‘Crosby’s Dwarf’.
The zebra plant may not be large, usually only 6 inches tall, but its style makes up for its lack of size. Its leaves are hard, triangular in shape, 3 inches long, and grow upright from the center of the plant, with a smooth, green interior and raised white edges on the outside, which is also the common name for this succulent. Zebra plants are small in size and can tolerate lower indoor humidity, so they are popular as indoor plants. It can be displayed on its own or mixed with other succulents.
Plant zebra plants in well-drained soil and place them in places where bright sunlight is available for most of the day, such as a south- or east-facing location. A little more sunlight will add a pleasant orange-red hue to the leaves. If the plant receives too much sunlight, the leaves will turn white or yellow. It can handle normal indoor temperatures of 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, or 18.3 to 26.7 degrees Celsius.
Water from spring to autumn when the soil is dry, being careful not to wet the leaves. In winter, when the leaves begin to wilt, reduce the amount of watering. A diluted balanced liquid fertilizer is applied once a month from spring to autumn.
Tip: H. attenuata is also sold as a zebra plant, with white bumps on the inner surface of the leaves and white on the outer bands. It’s going to grow a little taller. Grow it indoors like a zebra plant.
