Hi, I'm Tricia, a California organic gardener.
Succulents are unique and beautiful.
These fantastical, drought tolerant plants are easy and fun to grow in containers.
Succulents are tough plants for every climate, not just at the beach or in the desert.
And I recommend these two books "Hearty Succulents" and "Succulent Container Gardens"
which explain how you can grow succulents in virtually every climate.
If you've never grown succulents before, the ones I'm going to show you today are great ones to start with.
Succulent genus such as Kalanchoe
Aeonium
Agave
Aloe
Echeveria
Sedum
and Sempervivum.
Before you choose your plants or your containers,
you need to decide what kind of arrangement you want.
Is it indoors or outdoors? Do you want it big or small?
Is it going to be a window decoration or door decoration like a wreath,
or maybe a patio accent?
Succulents also make beautiful centerpieces.
Once you decide on an arrangement you can choose your plants!
Choose a plant that's a focal point and then choose plants that harmonize with it.
Odd numbers are more visually pleasing than even numbers.
Succulents can be grown in virtually any kind of container,
as long as their cultural requirements are met.
Shallow containers are often chosen because most succulents have a shallow,
laterally growing root system.
Tall containers are good too because it will allow the succulent to tolerate
more water which is good in wetter climates.
Shallow containers hold an even amount of moisture throughout.
Tall containers have more variation of the wet and dry,
being more dry at the top and wet at the bottom.
It also matters what kind of material your pot is made of.
Pots made of non porous material like metal will retain more moisture,
which is great for arid climates.
Porous pots like unglazed terra cotta might be better idea for wet climates.
Succulents like light soil. A good recipe is half 'n half mix
of high quality potting soil with perlite.
Pumice will also work.
You can put a little mesh or a piece of paper towel at the bottom of the pot
to prevent the soil from going through the hole.
So you want to plant your succulents starting with the biggest plant and working your way down.
I suggest top-dressing the container with some pebbles or crushed rocks.
It helps keep the perlite from floating away,
as well as keep moisture from the base of the plant.
And it looks pretty!
Your succulents don't need a lot of water. The plumper the leaves, the less water they need,
and it's okay to let them dry out in between watering.
Succulents are not cacti. Most prefer dappled light instead of direct sunlight.
Some can stay outside all year long,
others need to be brought in for the winter, or it can grow all year long on a sunny windowsill.
So plant succulents and Grow Organic for Life!