Gordon Boswell

Gordon Boswell

Posted by gordonboswell on February 2, 2020 | Last Updated: February 12, 2020 Uncategorized

A Quick Guide to Raising Thriving Succulents

Succulents are in-style, easy to care for, and affordable. Plus, there’s an almost endless number of varieties, which makes them really fun to collect. It’s really no surprise that succulents have become some of the most sought-after houseplants. Succulents naturally thrive in Fort Worth’s sunny, warm weather, so if you’re thinking about adding a few succulents to your home or office, take a quick look at this simple succulent growing guide from the experts at Gordon Boswell.

Why Succulents Are So Special Compared to Other Plants

Most green plants have paper-thin leaves, but succulent leaves are thick and rubbery. They look and feel so unusual because they’ve adapted to be experts at storing water in dry environments. Succulents hold onto water in their roots and stems, too. In fact, they get the name succulent, another word for moist, for exactly this reason.

Various Succulent Plants

Various Succulent Plants

The Benefits of Growing Succulents Inside

Inside, succulents will help you create a calm atmosphere with a positive energy that encourages concentration and productivity. Succulents also make your interior spaces healthier places to be by purifying and replenishing the air. Their roots pull air into the soil and turn harmful chemicals, like VOCs, into nutrients. At the same time, the plants also emit fresh oxygen.

Favorite Succulent Varieties

 

Echeveria

These lovely succulents grow into starburst-shaped silhouettes. Different varieties have different colors like shades of green, pink, red, and even black. They also have differently shaped leaves, depending on the variety of echeveria. These can vary from smooth to crinkled, pointed to round, and tubular to stick-shaped.

Echeveria are great for succulent gardens and are also commonly included in modern, rustic floral designs. If you receive an echeveria in a bouquet, simply plant it in soil once your flowers are spent. It’ll eventually grow roots and begin to flourish.

Echeveria

Echeveria

Echeveria

Echeveria

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe plants are perhaps the most cheerful of all succulent varieties. They have vibrant green, paddle-shaped leaves, and they bloom with clusters of small flowers in bright colors like pink, red, yellow, orange, and white. When cared for properly, kalanchoes will start blooming in autumn and continue until spring.

A whimsical Ceramic dish garden with assorted Succulents, a blooming Kalanchoe, with accents of Curly Willow and Spanish Moss.

Whimsical Succulents

Jade

Jade plants are another popular type of succulent. They have deep, jade green leaves and resemble small trees. They’re lovely when potted with other succulents but also do well on their own. When well-tended, these long-lasting plants can live for generations, being passed down through members of a family.

Jade Plant

Jade Plant

How to Keep Indoor Succulents Healthy

In Fort Worth, succulents will do well inside or outside, but if you want to benefit from the clean air, positive vibes, and beauty, it’s best to keep them pest-free and grow them indoors. The true beauty of succulents is that they are so low-maintenance. They practically thrive on neglect. When growing inside, put succulents in a pot that drains easily and use soil specially formulated for cacti and succulents. Water them sparingly — only when the soil has dried completely — and never let them sit in standing water. When growing inside, put succulents in a sunny location and rotate them occasionally for even growth.

Peaceful yet energizing, this unforgettable arrangement of desert-hued blooms and succulents in a sleek bamboo cube is a chic gift on any special occasion.

Desert Sunrise

Remove dead leaves and other debris promptly to prevent bacterial growth. If a succulent’s leaves begin turning yellow or brown, this is a sign of distress. Most often, this happens when succulents are over-watered, but a thirsty plant can die, too. Check the soil and then contact a professional at Gordon Boswell for help.