Outdoor Succulent Care
Some succulents grow much better outside and don't make good houseplants. You will find them in our section 'Outdoor Succulents'. If you are looking for succulent houseplants, look in our 'Indoor Succulents' section. Here is a general plant care guide for 'Outdoor Succulents', more detailed plant care info for each plant can be found on each plant listing.
Light
Most outdoor succulents grow best in full to part sun. If it is already summer when you buy them, they will need to be slowly acclimated to full sun over a period of 5-10 days depending on how hot and sunny it is. Outdoor succulents can take full sun and high temperatures but NOT at the same time.
If you live in an area with summer temperatures 90°F and above, you will need to plant them in an area where they can have some shade part of the day (or move potted plants). When succulents don't get enough sunlight, they lose their vibrant color and the new growth will be pale green and elongated. Too much sunlight can burn and scar the plant.
Water
Outdoor succulents are very drought-tolerant but ONLY after they have established deep roots which can take several weeks. In many areas, the occasional rainfall is enough water for them but if they are in pots, you will need to check the soil regularly in summer for dryness.
Always allow soil to dry between watering. Check the top couple inches of soil and if there is moisture, do not water. In winter, most outdoor succulents are dormant and do not need watering. Watering is usually from late spring to early fall. Adjust for your particular climate. Remember: If the soil is dry, water well and allow to dry before watering again. How frequently you water varies greatly depending on the time of year, size of pot, your climate, etc.
If you live in a rainy area, you may need to move your potted succulents under cover so that they don't rot.
Soil
Succulents MUST have well-draining soil. Succulents will rot if they stay wet too long. In pots, you can mix gravel with your soil to help it dry out faster. In the ground, you can amend your soil by mixing gravel with the top 8''-10'' of soil. If you live in a dry area, you may not need to mix any/much gravel with the soil.
Here in Georgia, our summers are hot and humid and we get more than 50 inches of rainfall per year, so we need extra drainage. We mix small gravel (pea-gravel, perlite, pumice, crushed granite, very coarse sand, etc.) with low-peat based soil, a 50/50. Having this 'rocky' mix allows you to water deeply to the roots without the fear of rotting your plants.
Fertilizer
We do not recommended fertilizing your outdoor succulents.
Indoor Succulent Care
Light
Most succulents grow best in a sunny window or patio where they get 3-4 hours of direct sun per day. Remember to protect them from hot afternoon sun when temperatures are 90°F and above. When succulents don't get enough sunlight, they will lose their vibrant color and the new growth will be pale green and elongated. Too much sunlight can burn and scar the plant.
There are some succulents (we refer to them as low-light succulents) that do not require as much sunlight. They prefer bright, indirect sunlight with a little, gentle morning sun. They can burn easily in hot, direct sun. Note: Because they get less light, they will need water less often than direct sun-loving succulents.
Water
In warmer months, completely soak the soil to the roots and allow it to dry out completely before watering again. Check the top couple inches of soil regularly and if there is moisture, do not water. In cooler months, water just enough to soak about the top half of the soil and allow to completely dry before watering again. How frequently you water varies greatly depending on the time of year, size of pot, type of succulent you are growing, etc.
As a general rule, water more often in summer, and less often in winter when it's cold and they are dormant. Cacti and succulents with fat leaves tolerate longer periods of drought, but those with thinner stems and leaves will need to be watered more often. Succulents like good air circulation and will die in terrariums with lids.
Soil
Succulents must have well-draining soil that allows the roots to get the water they need, but that doesn't stay wet for too long, as this will cause your succulents to rot. How 'well-draining' depends on many factors—your location, type of succulent, etc. Here in the humid, sub-tropical Southeast, we need extra drainage. We mix small gravel (pea-gravel, perlite, pumice, crushed granite, very coarse sand, etc.) with low-peat based soil, a 50/50 mix for cactus and other succulents that easily rot. Our standard succulent mix is 35% small gravel with 65% low-peat based soil. Having this 'rocky' mix allows you to water deeply to the roots without the fear of rotting your plants.
Air Plant Care
Light
Air plants like bright, indirect light, although they do enjoy a little direct sun in the morning or in cooler months. Direct sun can burn or quickly dry out your air plant, especially in the afternoon and in warmer months. As the sun's position changes, a spot may become too sunny at certain parts of the day or year.
Water
Air plants absorb water through their leaves. It's best to water in the morning by submerging the entire plant in water (rain or bottled water works great) for 20-30 minutes once a week; more often when dry and hot, less often when cool and humid. If your air plant is severely dehydrated, soak up to 12 hours to rehydrate. After watering, hold the plant upside-down and gently shake off excess water, making sure none stays in leaf crevices. Place upside-down on a towel and allow to dry thoroughly in a bright place with good air circulation for 4-8 hours before returning to container or holder. You can lightly mist your plant between regular soakings, but make sure water doesn't collect down into the base of plant, as this can cause rot. When plants are in bloom, avoid wetting the flower so that it will last longer. Air plants will not survive in soil or standing water and will rot if kept constantly moist. They will die in terrariums with lids.
Fertilizer
We recommend a Bromeliad fertilizer once a month at 1/4 the recommended strength.
Temperature
Can be grown outdoors, but bring inside in winter if temperatures drop below 50°F. Optimum range: 50-90°F.
Succulent Propagation
The best way to propagate cactus and succulent cuttings is the 'soil' method. They have a tendency to rot using the 'water' method. Cuttings contain all the water and energy they need to grow new roots.
1. Make sure the 'cut end' of the cutting is fully dry. If you have just made the cutting, allow 3 days to dry in bright, indirect light.
2. Put the cutting about 1'' into well-draining soil designed for succulents. (Cutting will rot in regular house plant soil) Use something to prop it up if necessary.
3. The soil should be only slightly moist like a wrung-out sponge. At this point, the cutting has no roots so it cannot take in water so the goal here is just to provide a welcoming environment for the new roots when they come in. Wet soil, at this stage, can cause the cutting to rot before it roots.
4. Put in place where the sunlight is very bright, but indirect. The emerging roots will be very vulnerable to drying up and dying in a hot sunny place. Some cuttings root quickly, others do not but after 7-10 days you should see some roots. Feel free to pick up and check as often as you like but if you see roots, be very careful not to break the new roots off when putting back into the soil. Remember to keep the soil slightly moist (not wet) during this time.
5. When you have roots, the cutting can take in water. From this point forward, the cutting is becoming a plant. Gradually water more deeply to help roots grow to bottom of pot (always allowing soil to nearly dry between watering) and increase the sunlight over about a month or until it's big enough to join your other plants in a sunny spot.