Garden revival
Succulents return as the hottest greenery trend of 2017
Social media has a funny way of making people — and things — famous.
But unlike #selfies, memes and makeup bloggers, its latest protégé is something we can all easily embrace: succulents.
“Succulents have been hugely trending,” Sophia De Mello, a co-owner of Botany Living florists in Vancouver, says of the plants, which include cacti (All cacti are succulents but not all succulents are cacti, get it?). “The advent of social media and applications such as Pinterest have had a tremendous influence on how trends emerge — be it fashion or music — and trends in flowers are no different.”
De Mello and her business partner, Corinne Isherwood, say they often turn to social media platforms in order to gain inspiration for their floral designs.
“We are always looking at images on Instagram from designers, florists, garden enthusiasts, crazy succulent lovers from all over the globe who we follow,” Isherwood says. “These images have an influence on not only how we design our arrangements, but also how we take our own photographs and inspire and entice our customers.”
But the plants aren’t exactly new. In fact, they’ve long been incorporated in design — both indoors and outdoors — in warmer climates, becoming especially popular as house and patio plants in the ‘6os.
“Succulents have always been a thing in California because they really do have the perfect climate almost all year round, and with the continuing drought there, it was logical that these drought-resistant, desert plants would be a great option to have in your garden and to bring green into your space,” De Mello explains.
“The trend made its way up here, too, as we were seeing succulents gracing not only garden magazines but also high-end home décor magazines and they looked amazing! They came in so many different colours, shapes and textures, they really lent themselves to any space and depending on how they were planted, they were really adding a modern esthetic to indoor spaces — the very same plants your grandma had.”
And it’s not just social media that’s driving the popularity of these desert plants. While social media users favour these plants for their happy esthetic and photogenic appeal, floral experts are taken with the plants because of their versatility.
“Succulents come in a variety of colours and textures. I think people are always looking for new textures that add depth and dimension to arrangements or designs,” says Johanna Siu, owner of Celsia Florist in Vancouver. “As we are looking to simplify and value the resources and things that are readily available to us — like in our backyard — we are able to make unique botanical combinations in floral work.”
In addition to taking over our home decor (a succulent makes for good fodder for the perfect #shelfie, by the way) to a whole new style level, stylish succulents are also popping up in more traditional floral arrangements — including wedding bouquets.
“Succulents add a lot of fun to floral arrangements,” Siu says. “At Celsia, we like to study the colours and textures of the types of succulents and use that to guide us in what elements we may be using for a particular arrangement.”
Siu says this colour-play often leads to surprising pairings such as light-green eucalyptus and lavender-toned florals with a green-blue Echeveria boasting plum tinges at the tips of the lobes.
When choosing succulents for a bouquet, floral arrangement or centrepiece — because, yes, these plants make for perfect table decorations as well — it’s important to consider an overall “theme.”
“It’s important to think about what plants and textures are common to a particular theme or setting. If you are wanting to create a natural botanical feel, it will be important to stay consistent with the plants or foliage that currently exist in a venue or location,” Siu says. “But with that being said; as with any form of art ... there are no rules or boundaries.”
Perhaps the best part about sturdy succulents replacing precious blooms in floral arrangements and decor is that, unlike temperamental flowers, these hardy desert plants have some serious staying power.
“Succulent arrangements are a great alternative to freshly cut flowers as they are a sustainable arrangement that can last several months,” De Mello explains.
But while the plants are relatively long lasting and low maintenance, experts caution that they’re not no-maintenance.
“Caring for succulents is easy, which is why so many people love them,” Isherwood says. “Succulents are desert plants and they store water in their leaves and stems, so they can go for a long time without water.”
But while these arid-appreciating plants don’t require frequent watering, they do need a drink every once in a while.
“Succulents like a good soaking of water and then they like to completely dry out, so that is why, depending on the conditions and time of year, they can be perfectly happy only being watered once a month,” Isherwood explains.
“In our Vancouver climate, which is cool and moist, it can take a while for the soil to dry out and so that is why they do not need to be watered frequently. As the weather warms up, you may find you need to water more frequently, like every two to three weeks.”
Isherwood says the general rule of thumb when it comes to watering succulents and cacti is simple: less is more.
“If you are in doubt whether to water your succulent or not, wait a week,” she says.
In fact, giving these plant too much love (think: too much water and not enough sun) is a common cause for their untimely demise.
“Most of us are probably guilty of giving too much love,” Siu says. “They prefer at least a half day of full sun and then are OK with bright, indirect light for part of the day.”
For potting live succulents, Sui recommends using cactus soil with a thin layer of pea or decorative gravel on top, which will keep the lower lobes from rotting.
“This happens from touching the wet soil,” she explains.
Before purchasing a succulent, consider colour, as it’s an indicator of just how difficult or easy the plant will be to care for.
“The dark-green varieties like the Haworthia and Jade are hardier and will live longer in less than optimal conditions compared to the lighter, more muted coloured succulents like the echeverias,” Isherwood explains.
Armed with this information, the idea of embracing this social-media sensation becomes much less daunting — even for those who consider themselves unlucky when it comes to keeping plants alive.
“Simply pick plants you like,” De Mello says.
And then share them on Instagram, of course.
“Caring for succulents is easy, which is why so many people love them. Succulents are desert plants and they store water in their leaves and stems, so they can go for a long time without water.” — CORINNE ISHERWOOD