4 Interesting Facts About Succulents

Hello Everyone!

It’s that time again, where we talk about plants and growing things. This time, I’m talking about one of the most beginner friendly plants to start out with, when you want to start growing your own garden. I’m talking about succulents. Ok, so it’s already in the title, but succulents are such good plants to grow, especially with the growing issue of climate change. There are certain succulents that can survive and thrive in the ever-changing seasons, especially here in the UK.

Now, you all know, I currently have 3 succulents in my family of plants. I currently have a Lipstick Echeveria, a Tiger Aloe and a Globulea Hispida. I am also looking into getting a proper aloe vera (the one you can eat and use for skincare), but I'll need some space, and my mint plant needs time to grow, before I take him (yes, it’s a him…in my opinion) to the garden, and have room for an aloe vera plant. But that’s beside the point. While I’ve raised these succulents, I’ve learned a thing or two about them, and how to take care of them, so they don’t wilt, die or suffer, especially during the colder months. So, here are 4 interesting facts about succulents.

1.   Succulents Are Resilient

Honestly, you probably already know this but they are resilient, it’s why they make great beginner plants. You don’t have to spend too much time worrying about them, unlike the perennials like roses and lilies. Just plop them on a windowsill and they’ll soak up the sun. The best place to put them, if you’re raising them indoors is on a south facing or a west facing window, since they need a good 6-8 hours of sunlight, but even if your room only gets the morning sun (like mine does), it should be enough to sustain them. Of course, if you really want to, you can get an artificial full-spectrum LED lamp, to help them, if they’re showing signs that it’s not enough.

Other than that, most succulents don’t need too much attention. They’re happy to grow wherever, although, I would be mindful, if you planted them outside. Depending on what succulents you plant, some might not appreciate the winter months, and you may step outside one day, to find them already wilting or rotting from the roots.  So, just keep in mind that sometimes, it’s best to keep them indoors, with the heating on.

2.   Watering Differs With The Season

While succulents are evergreen plants, meaning their leaves don’t die in winter, that doesn’t mean you need to keep to the same watering schedule, as you did in summer. Essentially, like with most plants, succulents tend to sleep in winter. That means, they don’t need as much attention or water, as you think they do. Whenever the winter months come around, I start reducing how often I water my succulents, and this tends to be around once a month, compared with summer, when I water them, at most, once a week.

So, if you do buy a succulent or a cactus, just know that when it gets cold, watering them can get old (I don’t know…I was trying to rhyme). Essentially, don’t water them frequently, they’re happy to live in dry soil for a few weeks, before they start starving. Of course, when spring starts coming around, you may want to increase the frequency, slowly. Don’t overwhelm them. They won’t thank you for it. Slowly introduce more frequent watering sessions, so that by the time summer does come around, they’ll be happy with more water.

3.   Succulents Are Best For Busy People

Now, for someone like me, who wants to learn how to raise plants, but doesn't have the time, succulents are the best kind to start off with, because you’re not going to remember when you last watered them, and chances are, it’s been a while since you did. So, it’s best to start your gardening journey with these resilient buggers. They don’t mind the sporadic watering session, because they can go weeks, even months without it (I wouldn’t recommend it, but they can occasionally be resilient enough to go months without water). So, if you’re too busy, these plants are perfect for you.

Literally, they thrive best when ignored. They’re not as fussy as many other herbs, flowers, fruits and vegetables that need time, energy and effort. I know it sounds like I’m selling these plants hard, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with them. They’re pretty hard to kill, and if you know what you’re doing, they may even flower, when the time is right, or give you a baby version of themselves that you can propagate, but that’s a journey for another time.

4.   There Are Mountain Succulents That Thrive In Winter

One thing I learned recently is that there are some succulents that thrive in cold climates. In fact, they are born for it, because they originated from cold mountain sides, like the Pachyveria Pachytoides or the Rosularia Platyphylla. These plants can withstand climates as cold as -10C or -20C. So, if you’re looking to plant succulents outdoors, try these ones instead of the common ones. They are very hardy, and very sturdy stuff.

I kind of want one now, since I learned about them, because there’s a bald patch in my mom’s garden, that just doesn’t have any blooming flowers or vegetation, and I really want to cover it, so maybe putting some succulents there may brighten the space. Nevertheless, in a country like the UK, when temperatures can get pretty cold (granted, not as cold as -10C), these plants will still survive. So, if you’re looking to grow an actual garden, but don’t know how, start with succulents, it’ll ease you into the whole process of keeping it alive.

Ok, I Want To Get Another Succulent Now

Honestly, all this talk about succulents is making me want another one, and because I’m a very busy woman, who hasn’t got all day (get the reference?), they’re the best. They’re independent little buggers that only occasionally beg for food, so you can’t go wrong with them…I’m sounding more like a cat lady now. Anyway, if you’re thinking about starting your gardening journey, start with a succulent or a cactus. I guarantee you, they won't die easily. Just be sure to give it plenty of sunlight and warmth, and you’ll find that they’ll thrive in your home.

Well, that’s it from me today. I’m going to go to the garden centre and find another succulent to add to the family. While I do that, please don’t forget to like, subscribe, comment, share and follow me, here on Feather’s Charm, on my YouTube channel, on my other social media channels, and on Patreon. Your support really helps me make more content like this, for you guys.

And as always be kind, be creative, and be unique.

I’ll see you later!

Feather, out!