GREEN HOUSE
Learn succulent care with insightful advice from the, Lazy Gardener Vinayak Garg.
From glossy pages to being all over Instagram, succulents surely are all the rage right now. If you are planning to add these beauties to your home and are a newbie, Vinayak Garg of LazyGardener suggests dos and don't to make your succulents thrive
Succulents need plenty of sunlight
Succulents need sunlight and they indeed cannot be termed as indoor plants. It must come to you as a surprise but succulents are actually outdoor plants. They require almost 12 hours of sunlight. Surprised enough? The major reason why people consider succulent as an indoor plant is because of its similarity to cacti. So even if you wish to decorate your indoors with these tiny and pretty plants, make sure to give them a few hours of sunlight everyday.
Succulents can survive in any soil
Succulents need well-draining soil. Most plant parents believe that succulents are low-maintenance plants and hence, they can grow on any soil. Although it is true that succulents don't require peculiar attention but they do need well-draining soil to thrive. And by well-draining, we mean draining up to the bottom level of the pot. Placing pebbles on top of the soil is not a great option to drain the water well. Also, make sure the soil is grainy and not sticky.
Succulents don’t need constant hydration
Most people believe that succulents need to be watered weekly, but in all honesty, they don't need to be watered until they are bone-dry. Succulents rarely die from the scarcity of water and, in fact hate moisture. Considering the bright climate in India, we tend to believe all houseplants need water at least once a week. But when it comes to succulent maintenance, they need to be watered only when it is utmost necessary. Remember succulents have water stored as sap inside their leaves, which they use in desperate situations. So basically, succulents can be your ideal way to promote the ‘save water campaign'.
A lil sprinkle can make them crinkle
When we talk about succulent maintenance, it is not just the amount of water you put but also the technique of watering that matters. It is a standard practice to spray water on the leaves of plants as it cleans the leaves and makes them look fresh. But this rule unfortunately does not apply to succulents. In fact, if you spray water on succulent leaves, the chances are that they will not be able to bear the moisture and will wither and fall off!
Succulents also enjoy nutrition bars just like us
While succulents boast of their fuss-free title, they require nutrients just as much as other plants. By nutrition bars we are not referring to the cumbersome process of mixing manure and soil. Always remember, a healthy and well-fed succulent lasts much longer than the poorly nourished. Lastly Happy Gardening and don't forget to be lazy while doing so.