Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Staying power
The popularity of succulents is still in full bloom as people are drawn to the plants’ beauty and low-maintenance qualities.
Succulent plants have been favorites with customers for several years, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down.
The popularity of the versatile, easy-to-care-for plants was evident earlier this month during a series of four workshops at Glick’s Greenhouse in Oley Township, where attendees could design and plant succulent arrangements.
“We’ve been busy all four days,” said Anna Glick, head of marketing and sales at Glick’s. “This is the time of year that everyone wants to get into the warm greenhouse and be around plants.”
While the warm greenhouse, and perhaps the snacks provided, were part of what drew more than 1,000 people to Glick’s over the course of two February weekends, it was clear that succulents were the main attraction.
Succulents, for the uninitiated, are plants that hold moisture in their leaves, stems or roots. They come in an astounding variety of shapes, sizes and colors and can be combined in stunning arrangements.
A jade plant is a common type of succulent.
Cactus plants also are succulents, but are different from noncactus succulents in that they contain small, round lumps called areoles, from which flowers, thorns, hair and leaves can grow.
Ella Moyer, 13, of Boyertown was taking her time as she planted carefully selected succulents into an oblong container.
A self-described plant collector who is considering pursuing plant science as she furthers her education, she was looking forward to adding another container of succulents to her collection.
She likes succulents, she said, because they’re extremely varied and easy to care for.
Glick agreed that much of the popularity of succulents is based on the fact that they’re very low-maintenance plants. “They can go anywhere in your house, and you really don’t have to worry about them very much,” she said. “They’re very easy to keep alive, for the most part.” Jillian Halbe of Gilbertsville brought her children, Ryan, 8, and Amy, 6, to the workshop. The children enjoyed the plants and decthe container. “We picked out the pot and we put in the dirt and decorations,” Amy explained. “We stuck some plants in and then some more decorations.” The workshop, Jillian said, was a good way to connect Ryan and Amy to nature when it was too cold to be outside.
“We’re thinking that spring is just around the corner, and we were looking for something to do while we wait for it,” she said. “This is an educational, hands-on and fun family activity.”
Glick said the workshops, which are held periodically, have become so popular that expanded space was necessary.
Customers pay for the containers and the plants they choose, but there is no fee to participate.
Succulents are available in both indoor and hardy varieties and often are used outdoors as groundcover. Hardy succulents can tolerate very cold temperatures and survive in drought conditions, and some of them produce colorful flowers.
“They’re really a great type of plant,” Glick said. “There’s a good reason that they’ve been so popular for so long. You can see why people like them so much.”
Contact Susan Shelly: life@ readingeagle.com.