If you’re shifting to houseplants as cold weather approaches, consider gardening with succulents. Succulents are easy, disease-resistant, and thrive despite the dry air common indoors in winter.
Think of them as the new African violets.
“They require so little care. They look good all the time and they do well in low humidity,” said Gary Bachman, a research professor with Mississippi State University Extension in Biloxi.
Their soft, juicy leaves and enlarged stems allow the plants to store water under dry conditions.
“The only thing the homeowner can do wrong is overwater,” Bachman said. “They won’t like it in containers that don’t drain well.”
Pruning generally is not required because the plants tend to be slow growers, he said. “You don’t really need to fertilize very often, but a little slow-release fertilizer can promote faster growth.”
Most succulents are tender plants – natives of frost-free areas – so planting them in shallow trays makes it simple to carry them inside before the killer frosts arrive.
“Succulents also are easy to plant indoors,” Bachman said. “They look great on windowsills and bright office spaces.”
Growing them in ornamental containers gives them a decorative edge when grouped with other houseplants. Combining several different kinds of succulents creates attractive dish gardens. Choose plants with similar growth habits and care needs, though. That makes them easier to care for.
Succulents prefer bright light most of the day, the kind they would get from south-facing windows, said Leonard Perry, professor emeritus at the University of Vermont.
“If your plant starts to ‘stretch,’ or grow tall and lanky with space between leaves, it isn’t getting enough light,” Perry said. “Also, rotate plants weekly if they are bending toward a light or window.”
Succulents recommended for growing indoors include aloe, sansevieria, jade plant, echeveria, mother-in-law’s tongue, Christmas cactus, sempervivum, sedum and spiderwort, among many others.
Well-drained, sandy soils are the best potting mixtures. Allow them to dry completely between each watering.
“One rule of thumb is that the thicker the leaves, generally the less water the plant needs,” Perry said.