The plant grows much healthier as it gets the support of rocks. The aesthetic value of succulents is added to a great extent. These decorative pebbles can give your plant the much-needed lift. However, keep in mind to select pebbles in a color that will look good with the color of your succulent.
Step 1. Put a layer of rocks, pebbles, stones, or pumice at the bottom of the pot evenly. This will increase the drainage rate of the soil and prevent water from accumulating, which may lead to root rot. Also, consider the size of the pot when putting pebbles or rocks.
Adding these decorative rocks not only looks good, but it's functional too! The top dressing help keeps the soil in place when watering. This prevents the arrangement from shifting very much over time. It can also reduce the amount of dust that flies up when you water.
Whether you're seeking a variety of earth tones, darker hues, or even bright alabaster—river rock is a perfect pick for your succulent garden. If you're seeking larger rocks for your garden, then boulders are a great choice. They can really stand up to the elements and compliment succulents so well.
All you need to do is plant your succulent in the pot of your choice using succulent potting mix. Leave some space on the top for the rocks. Add rocks/pebbles and voila.
Our expert cacti and succulent grower, Alfredo Bergolla, recommends pouring a few ounces of water over the rocks of your small cacti and succulent garden about once a week. The water-based glue allows water to reach the soil.
Be sure to use coarse grit sand for the best results. Fine sands can retain too much water and might not drain as well. Gravel can be used to amend the soil for succulent plants, but unfortunately, succulents cannot grow exclusively in this material.
The most important rule for watering succulents is this: Only water when the soil in the succulents' growing container is bone dry. We repeat, let the soil dry out completely between waterings. If the soil isn't crumbly, dry dirt, don't water it.
Soil Type
While some succulents do prefer sandy soil with higher drainage, others may need something a bit different. Like temperature, it's always best to keep your succulent's natural environment in mind when planting to make sure they thrive.
Sand is a super important part of any succulent soil mix. It helps to improve drainage and aeration, and provide that grainy texture that succulents love. Avoid fine sands for your succulent soil and opt for the medium to coarse grit for optimal drainage.
Succulents Crowded Together
A tightly packed arrangement like this is going to keep its shape better; it's not growing as much, and thus, the arrangement will look better, longer.
Gravel or expanded shale can be added to the bottom of the container to help increase drainage. A basic, sandy potting soil mixed with vermiculite makes a great succulent mix! Light: Succulents do very well in bright, indirect light-- most succulents will burn in direct sunlight.
Because of the unique method they use to store water, it's best to leave your Succulents too dry than too wet. However, they do get thirsty from time to time, so it's important to pay attention to their needs as you would with any other plant.
It is also best to water succulents from the bottom up, sometimes referred to as "bottom watering." This method prevents water from accumulating on a succulent's leaves where it can get trapped and cause fungal diseases.
You certainly could use regular potting soil for succulents. It might work just fine, especially if you tend to forget to water for long periods of time, or your plants are very small. However, make sure the soil dries out completely between waterings, or they will rot.
Can Succulents Live Inside Without Sunlight? Succulents love sun exposure, and most varieties need at least 4-6 hours of daily indirect sunlight to thrive.
Succulents need well-draining soil, so regular potting soil—or dirt from your yard—won't do.
Full grown succulents don't actually like to be misted. They thrive in arid climates, so when you mist them, you are changing the humidity around the plant. This can lead to rot as well. Use misting for propagation babes to lightly provide water to their delicate little roots.
Smaller succulents will need to be watered more often - every 1-3 weeks. While larger species can go 1-6 months between watering.
How often should you water a succulent? According to Retro Den, the rule of thumb for watering your succulent is every other week during non-winter months. During the winter months, when the temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, it is recommended to water your succulent only once a month.
Most don't need much soil depth because of the way the roots grow. Unless the succulent grows very tall like a Pencil Cactus, you don't need a deep planter. I prefer a planter bowl that's 3 – 6″ deep.
Try to submerge only the roots and not let the water touch the stem. If the plant you are doing water therapy for is a newly shipped plant that was shipped bare-root, simply dip the plant's roots in water, letting the roots touch the water so it can absorb it.