NANCY WITH THE LAUGHING FACE

Succulents are all the rage these days and for good reason. By storing water in their leaves and stems, succulents are able to tolerate extended periods of dryness which makes them popular as low-maintenance houseplants. Many succulents are also super-hardy and perfect for growing outside in Northern gardens. Exotic and stunningly beautiful with a vast array of colors, textures, forms and flowers, they lend themselves easily to creating fantastic works of succulent plant art!

If you’re thinking about planting an outdoor succulent garden, look for tough varieties that will overwinter in your hardiness zone. Succulents love sunlight but too much hot sun can burn the leaves, so an area that receives some afternoon shade is best, even up North. Alternatively, growing hardy succulents in pots is a great way to familiarize yourself with different plant types on a smaller scale, and you can easily move the pots around during the growing season as the amount of sunlight they receive changes.

Although succulents are largely touted as ‘low-maintenance,’ that doesn’t mean ‘no maintenance’ for all plants depend on us to supply the conditions they need to thrive. But luckily for us, the needs of succulents are simple: They don’t like to be waterlogged so always plant in pots with good drainage holes, water only when dry, and use a fast-draining potting mix specially made for cactus and succulents. Before you jump in and buy a tray of assorted succulents, however, think carefully about the conditions in your home or garden and where you intend to grow them.

Since most of us won’t be able to plant outdoors for a few more months, today I’m going to focus on soft or tender succulents, those plants which have less cold tolerance and are better suited to growing in the comfortable warmth of our homes. If you have a south or west-facing window, you are fortunate indeed, because most succulents love and grow best with bright light. Give them your sunniest indoor spot for the best results!

• ALOE, ALOE VERA

One of the most popular succulents by far is the classic Aloe Vera, a plant that boasts a healing gel contained in its thick leaves which can be used to soothe burns, cuts and skin irritations. For this reason alone, every home should have one, but these aloes are also strikingly attractive as they slowly grow into large vertical accent plants. If you’d prefer a shorter or more chunky variety to grow in a grouped planting, there are many different aloes to choose from, so go ahead and explore until you find the right one for you.

• STRING OF PEARLS (SENECIO ROWLEYANUS)

A small but versatile and easy-to-grow vine, String of Pearls is charming grown in a hanging pot where its tendrils of tiny round green pearls will cascade gracefully over the edge. It’s also a great succulent to use as a frilly skirt around the edge of bolder-leaved plants such as aloes or agaves and adds a waterfall of whimsey to potted succulent groupings.

• FLAMING KATY (KALANCHOE BLOSSFELDIANA)

Kalanchoes are cheerful winter bloomers that fill the ‘thriller’ role by adding height and bright color to succulent groupings. They also look great on their own in brilliant shades of orange, red, yellow, pink and sparkling white. However you display them, these plants appreciate a warm room and your brightest window to encourage repeat flowering.

• ELEPHANT BUSH (PORTULACARIA AFRA)

In its native habitat of South Africa where elephants consider it a delicacy, Elephant Bush can grow to 20 feet, but placed on our windowsills with other succulents, these colorful plants are easily kept as multi-stemmed miniature bushes. The teardrop-shaped leaves tend to be small and sometimes variegated and the stems are usually a bright pink or red which complements other plant colors nearby.

• BURRO’S TAIL (SEDUM MORGANIANUM)

Everyone loves the trailing and bushy Burro’s Tail for filling in around other plants where it will eventually cascade over the side. It also makes quite a specimen planted on its own in a hanging pot. With its plump frosted blue-green leaves and trailing stems, Burro’s Tail adds a softness that goes well with other pastel-colored succulents.

• GHOST PLANT (GRAPTOPETALUM PARAGUAYENSE)

With a classic rosette shape, the Ghost Plant magically changes its subtle coloration depending on how much light it receives. Grown in our homes these plants usually tend to paler shades of pastel blue and silver with tinges of pink or purple. Ghost Plants also sport a waxy or frosty coating known as ‘farina’ which adds to their unique opalescent appearance. Perfect grouped with other rosette succulents or any of the plants mentioned above, they can also be grown singly to become large specimens, slowly spreading and producing more rosettes on trailing stems.

The beauty of these succulents is that they can all be grown on their own in a single pot or grouped together in a larger pot, depending upon the space limitations and light conditions in your home. Before you begin, invest in a good succulent book for beginners, then start small with 3 to 6 plants from a reputable grower and learn about your succulents’ needs before moving on to more challenging varieties and/or creative projects. I’ve included some helpful links below to help you get started on your succulent journey!

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