Succulents are generally some of the most hardy houseplants you can have in your home, but that doesn’t mean they are indestructible! Succulents are known for storing water in their leaves, allowing them to survive dry spells in their native habitat. That said, succulents can come from many natural habitats, and each plant might have slightly different needs. There are a few general rules to follow when caring for succulents to keep them alive and thriving. Below are a few ways you could potentially damage or even kill your precious plants! Stick them in the dark Succulents need several hours (about 6) daily of bright indirect light. Don’t put them in dark corners—they will not thrive there! Remember to rotate the plant periodically. This assures each side of the plant gets even light and prevents reaching or leaning. Place the succulent near south or west-facing windows just out of the direct light. Leave the plant in direct sunlight for too long While it is true cacti come from a desert habitat where they sit out in the scorching sun all day, many other succulents will burn when left in direct sunlight for too long, causing permanent damage. If the sunburned leaves become too damaged, the plant will suffer and possibly die. Overwater or leave the plant in soggy soil Succulents store water in their fleshy parts and leaves, so there is no need to overwater. This may be the quickest way to kill a succulent! Give succulents a thorough watering and let them dry out before watering again. (Suggestion--Use a water meter to test the soil between waterings.) Plant in soil and pot with poor drainage If the soil and pot don’t have proper drainage, your succulent may end up sitting in soggy soil, which causes rot. And rot is the arch nemesis of plants! Soil with some sand works well, or you could use cactus soil or anything coarse with sand and pumice. Also, soggy soil can attract gnats and other pests that can harm the plant. Wet the plant leaves Pouring water on the leaves or misting can cause mold, rot, or burn on the succulent leaves. It’s better to water the soil directly. (Note: Certain tropical varieties actually like an occasional mist, so check your plant label for care instructions.) Place outside in the extreme cold or heat Some succulents—like cacti—can handle extremes of hot or cold, but many succulents come from milder habitats. When in doubt, it’s better to err on the side of caution and avoid placing the plant in very hot or cold environments. Not knowing the specific needs of the plant It’s vital to know what type of plant you have and learn a bit about its native habitat so you can mimic (as best you can) the environment. Knowing the proper care for your specific type of succulent will help your plant thrive and stay alive! For example, Snake plants, Haworthias, and other variegated succulents don’t like full sun. Succulent plants with bright colors like red or orange, on the other hand, may enjoy a bit of time in the sun. So read those labels! Just like other types of plants, there are a lot of variables to consider when caring for succulents…if you want to keep them alive, that is! Soil, pot size, environment, lighting, humidity, watering needs, season, and location determine how you care for your succulents. But keeping your stunning succulents alive starts with the basics…Give them appropriate lighting for their variety, well-draining soil, an environment tailored to their specific needs, and don’t overwater for a happy, thriving plant! Related blogs you may want to read: 7 houseplants you can’t kill! 7 MORE houseplants you can’t kill! Eight tips for assessing natural light in your home How to repot a bonsai ficus How to repot a pothos plant How to propagate bromeliad pups Small houseplants that love bathroom humidity Eight health benefits of decorating with plants Let’s talk about houseplants Sources: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/how-to-care-for-succulents https://www.gardendesign.com/succulents/care.html https://www.succulentsandsunshine.com/guide-growing-succulents-indoor-house-plants/ https://www.joyusgarden.com/how-often-should-you-water-succulents/?utm_source=Flodesk&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=Garden_Gazette https://www.joyusgarden.com/how-much-sun-do-succulents-need/?utm_source=Flodesk&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=Garden_Gazette This article may contain a few items or commercial mentions, but I only used them for demonstration purposes only. I am not endorsing any particular product or receiving any monetary gain for this blog.
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In a previous blog, I introduced you to seven houseplants that can tolerate a bit of neglect. In today’s blog, I will share seven MORE houseplants that can take a little abuse from an absent-minded or inexperienced plant parent. Ready for more? Here we go… Philodendron There is a wide variety of philodendrons, from the large monstera to the cut-leaf philodendron to smaller plants with heart-shaped leaves that grow in vines. Your options depend on the space available for your new plant babies. These easy-to-care-for plants do very well in humid conditions like bathrooms, but they don’t like to sit in wet soil, so don’t overwater. Just water the soil evenly, then let dry out before watering again. Philodendrons don’t love direct sun but will thrive in bright indirect light and tolerate dimly lit spaces. Ponytail Palm (a.k.a. Beaucarnea recurvata) I call this the Dr. Seuss plant. I bought a ponytail palm two years ago and stuck it in my southwestern-facing window, and it has doubled—if not tripled—in size! For me, it was love at first sight! These plants can get very large and heavy over time, so they are not your typical windowsill plant. How fast and large they grow will depend on the size pot, so the larger the pot, the larger the plant will grow! The name implies it’s a palm, but it’s actually a succulent related to the yucca or agave. Ponytail palms store water in the trunk, so they don’t need watering as much as other plants. Don’t overwater this plant. Water it thoroughly and evenly, then let the soil dry out completely before watering again. For a happy plant, use succulent or cactus soil and place in a spot with bright indirect light but not direct sun. Pothos (a.k.a. Epipremnum aureum or Devil’s Ivy or Golden Pothos) Pothos is a vine plant that will thrive under the right conditions. If you want to keep it more bushy, you can trim it back. Or, if you like the long trailing vines, you can place your pothos in a spot where the leaves can dangle. My pothos is currently sitting on the window ledge in my bathroom—where it gets easterly sun, mostly indirect except for first thing in the morning—and it is starting to take over! This vine plant likes humidity but can tolerate dry conditions as well. Give this plant well-draining potting soil some bright indirect light, and don’t overwater it, and you’ll have a happy pothos! It will even tolerate lower light levels if that’s the best you can do. Rubber Plant (a.k.a. Ficus elastica) Like the ponytail palm, this drought-resistant plant can grow tall and heavy, so put your rubber plant in a sturdy pot. This is a good plant for a well-lit corner, as it prefers bright indirect light. Use well-draining soil and keep it slightly moist but never soggy. Snake Plant (a.k.a. Sansevieria, or Mother-in-Law’s Tongue) The snake plant—commonly known as sansevieria or Mother-In-Law’s Tongue—thrives in humid conditions. My snake plant temporarily had its home in my bathroom until my pothos and haworthia crowded it out! The plant now looks quite happy living in my front window with my other plants. The snake plant is another type of succulent that stores water in its leaves, so water thoroughly and then let the soil dry out. Use well-draining soil for best results. Sansevierias will tolerate a range of lighting conditions but thrive in medium to bright light levels, just not direct sun. Spider Plant (a.k.a. Chlorophytum comosum or Airplane Plant. not to be confused with Air Plant) Spider plants are one of the most well-known houseplants and seem to thrive in a variety of conditions. This dangly plant produces tons of plantlets or spiderettes that you can clip and propagate to get new plants! Other than that, spider plants don’t need frequent repotting. As for watering, wet the soil thoroughly and evenly, and don’t water again until the soil is just dry. The plant will wilt to let you know when you need to give it water ASAP. Hang this houseplant in a window with bright indirect sun if you want a happy plant with tons of new babies! ZZ Plant (a.k.a. Zamioculcas Zamiifolia, Zanzibar Gem, or Eternity Plant) And finally, yet another plant that stores water in its leaves! ZZ plants can survive neglect and low light and are drought tolerant. If you want your plant to be its best, put it in bright indirect light, give it decent potting soil, and water only when the soil is dry. Make sure you go back and read “7 Houseplants You Can’t Kill!”! Let me know in the comments if you have a favorite plant baby that has been super simple to maintain. Do you have a neglected plant that still keeps going? Drop it in the comments below! Related blogs you may want to read: 7 ways to kill a succulent 7 houseplants you can’t kill! Eight tips for assessing natural light in your home How to repot a bonsai ficus How to repot a pothos plant How to propagate bromeliad pups Small houseplants that love bathroom humidity Eight health benefits of decorating with plants Let’s talk about houseplants This article may contain a few items or commercial mentions, but I only used them for demonstration purposes only. I am not endorsing any particular product or receiving any monetary gain for this blog. Sources: https://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/10-house-plants-you-cant-kill.html https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/projects/houseplants-you-cant-kill/ https://balconygardenweb.com/houseplants-you-cant-kill-even-if-you-want/ https://smartgardenguide.com/hard-to-kill-houseplants/ https://youhadmeatgardening.com/best-hard-to-kill-houseplants/ https://blog.mytastefulspace.com/2021/07/24/impossible-to-kill-houseplant/ https://www.thespruce.com/easy-houseplants-hard-to-kill-4141665 https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/hard-to-kill-houseplants.htm https://www.treehugger.com/houseplants-are-almost-impossible-kill-4863173 If you have a black thumb—or are just starting to wrap your head around buying houseplants for the first time—this blog is for you! Houseplants can be tricky, right? There’s a lot to take in—proper light, water needs, soil types, fertilizing, best trimming practices, propagating, pest control—but some plants are less fussy than others. Today, we’ll look at seven plant babies for beginners or people who want easy houseplants. Air Plant (a.k.a. Tillandsia app.) This first plant is as easy as it gets! Air plants are epiphytes or plants that attach to trees and other natural elements in shaded spots and collect necessary nutrients through trichomes in their leaves. No soil is needed, hence the name Air Plant. This biological wonder takes much of what it needs from the air, and its needs are minimal. Many varieties only need to soak in water once a week (15-30 minutes) and maybe occasional misting to keep them from drying out. One piece of advice is to know which variety you have because the furry ones don’t like to be soaked in water. I made that mistake with one of my plants, causing the poor thing to rot and die. Place the air plant in bright light but not directly in the sun to prevent burning of the leaves. And that’s it! Air plants are resilient and self-sufficient with minimal care. Hang them up or stick them in with other plants and let them do their thing! Aloe Vera Aloe vera is a type of succulent, meaning it stores water in its leaves. This ability to store water means that aloe—like many succulents—tends to be drought-resistant, and that’s good news for forgetful plant parents. This plant thrives better when ignored--making it an easy plant for beginners. The one nemesis for aloe, though, is overwatering. Overwatering can lead to rot, which kills the plant, so the best practice is to wet thoroughly and then let the plant dry out in between waterings. As for other care, give your aloe well-draining soil and bright indirect light (direct light may burn the leaves). There’s no need to repot the plant until it gets too crowded in the pot. Cactus Like the aloe, cacti are succulents, which means they are drought tolerant and store water. These adaptable plants need water only when the soil is dry, so if you get a bit forgetful it’s okay! Cacti are incredibly versatile as houseplants. They only need well-draining soil, bright indirect or direct sun (depending on the variety), and occasional watering. Cast Iron Plant (a.k.a. Aspidistra spp.) The hint is in the name! The Cast Iron Plant is very forgiving, even when neglected. Give this plant well-draining soil and bright light, and it will thrive. But this hardy houseplant also manages to live in low-light places as well…Just keep it out of direct light to prevent burned leaves. Chinese Evergreen (a.k.a. Aglaonema sp.) Sometimes called the “Ag” plant, the Chinese Evergreen is a versatile and easy-to-maintain houseplant. I’ve even seen them happily existing in the corners of doctor’s offices with no windows. This slow-growing plant thrives better in bright indirect light, but low-light conditions will suit it just fine if that’s your only option. As for care, keep it out of direct light and drafts and let it dry out between waterings. Jade Plant (a.k.a. Crassula ovata) This plant might be a little tricky because it can get bulky, but having said that, you don’t need to re-pot your jade plant very often unless you want it to grow in size. Like all succulents, this plant stores water in its leaves, which means you can let the soil dry out between waterings. Just use well-draining soil and place the plant in bright, indirect light. Some varieties can withstand a few hours of direct sunlight. This is one of those plants that can tell you what it needs just by looking at its foliage. If the leaves become shriveled, it's time to give the poor thing some water. If the leaves are dropping off, you may need to up the water intake. Peace Lily (a.k.a. Spathiphyllum sp.) The peace lily is an incredibly hardy plant! I know from experience! My peace lilies have been through the wars! I have forgotten to water them for long periods, stuck them in drafty windows or gloomy spots, and over-watered them out of guilt (causing gnats)…And they still live! These hardy plants will survive a lot. Granted the poor things may not look the greatest, but they survive! If you want your peace lily to look its best, water the plant thoroughly and evenly, then leave it until the soil becomes somewhat dry. This plant literally tells you when it needs a drink because you’ll see the leaves begin to droop. The drooping leaves are the plant telling you to grab that watering can and give it a drink! Peace lilies like well-draining soil and bright indirect light (not direct sun) but can tolerate low light conditions. If the plant gets the optimal amount of light it needs, it will reward you with elegant white flowers. Next time you are in a doctor’s office or any office space with little to no natural light, look around and see what plants have made their home there. Chances are you will see one of these plants! Be sure to read part 2--“7 More Houseplants You Can’t Kill!”--for even more easy-to-care-for houseplants! Related blogs you may want to read: 7 ways to kill a succulent 7 more houseplants you can’t kill! Eight tips for assessing natural light in your home How to repot a bonsai ficus How to repot a pothos plant How to propagate bromeliad pups Small houseplants that love bathroom humidity Eight health benefits of decorating with plants Let’s talk about houseplants This article may contain a few items or commercial mentions, but I only used them for demonstration purposes only. I am not endorsing any particular product or receiving any monetary gain for this blog. Sources:
https://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/10-house-plants-you-cant-kill.html https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/projects/houseplants-you-cant-kill/ https://balconygardenweb.com/houseplants-you-cant-kill-even-if-you-want/ https://smartgardenguide.com/hard-to-kill-houseplants/ https://youhadmeatgardening.com/best-hard-to-kill-houseplants/ https://blog.mytastefulspace.com/2021/07/24/impossible-to-kill-houseplant/ https://www.thespruce.com/easy-houseplants-hard-to-kill-4141665 https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/hard-to-kill-houseplants.htm https://www.treehugger.com/houseplants-are-almost-impossible-kill-4863173 |
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