How to Buy Succulents: A Comprehensive Guide

Your Guide to buying the best Succulents

Overview

Succulents make a wonderful addition to any home or garden, and can be a great way to bring life to any space. In this Succulents buying guide, we will discuss the different types of succulents and their benefits, as well as how to best care for them and find the right succulent for your lifestyle. We will also provide advice on where to find succulents, the cost of purchasing them, and the best ways to keep them healthy. With this guide, you will be well equipped to find the perfect succulent for your space and enjoy its beauty for years to come.

Key features

  1. Lighting and Water Requirements: It is important to research how much light and water your desired succulent needs in order to help determine the best location for it in your home.
  2. Size: Succulents come in many shapes and sizes, so decide how much space you have available.
  3. Potting: Make sure you have a pot that is appropriately sized and has proper drainage holes to avoid overwatering.
  4. Soil: Choose a soil that is light and airy and specifically designed for succulents.
  5. Fertilizing: If you want to provide your succulent with an extra boost, you can use a succulent-specific fertilizer.
  6. Pests: Check for signs of pests or disease before bringing the succulent home.

See the most popular Succulents on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Low maintenance: Succulents require little water and are easy to care for, making them an ideal choice for busy people or those who don't have much experience with gardening.
  • Variety: Succulents come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors, so you can find a plant to fit any space or aesthetic.
  • Long-lasting: Succulents are resilient and can live for years, even with minimal care.
  • Affordable: Succulents are generally inexpensive, making them an affordable way to add some greenery to your home.

Cons

  • Watering Needs: Succulents require weekly watering, with some requiring more frequent watering and others able to go without water for weeks or even months. Incorrect watering can lead to root rot or other plant damage.
  • Light Requirements: Succulents need bright light, either from direct sunlight or an artificial light source. Too little light can cause them to become pale and weak.
  • Pest Infestation: Succulents can be prone to pests such as mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites. If left unattended, these pests can cause significant damage and even death of the plant.
  • Fertilizer Needs: Succulents don’t require much fertilizer but too much can cause them to become leggy and weak.
  • Space Restrictions: Succulents need a lot of space to grow and spread out. If they don’t have enough space, they will become overcrowded and their growth can be stunted.

Best alternatives

    Garden Mums - These perennials are popular for adding pops of bold color to gardens. Caladiums - These shade-loving plants bring texture to garden areas. Pansies - These cheerful annuals are easy to grow and are available in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Impatiens - These annuals are perfect for shady spots and come in a wide range of colors and varieties. Snapdragons - These annuals are perfect for adding color and structure to sunny flower beds. Begonias - These versatile plants are available in both annual and perennial varieties and come in a range of colors.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Potting soil- A light, moisture-retaining soil for potting succulents
  • Pots- Containers that hold succulents and their soil
  • Fertilizer- Nutrient-rich soil supplement for succulents
  • Trowels- Gardening tool used to scoop soil for succulent pots
  • Gardening gloves- Protective gloves for handling succulents and soil
  • Sprayers- Handheld device used to apply water to succulents
  • Pruners- Gardening tool used to trim and shape succulents
  • Gravel- Groundcover used to decorate the surface of succulent pots

Common questions

  1. What type of watering do succulents need? Succulents need less water than other plants, typically requiring water only once every 1-3 weeks. Watering should be done thoroughly until water comes out of the drainage holes, and then the soil should be allowed to dry out completely before the next watering.
  2. What kind of soil do succulents need? Succulents need well-draining soil, such as a specialized cactus and succulent soil mix, or a mixture of one part potting soil and one part sand or perlite.
  3. What kind of light do succulents need? Succulents typically need bright, indirect light. Too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves to burn, so it is best to keep them in a spot where they can get 4-6 hours of indirect sunlight per day.
  4. How often do succulents need to be fertilized? Succulents should only be fertilized about once a month in the spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.
  5. How should succulents be repotted? Succulents should be repotted into a pot that is about 2 inches larger than the current one, using fresh potting soil. The soil should be allowed to dry out completely between waterings to avoid overwatering the plant when it is repotted.
  6. Are succulents prone to pests or diseases? Succulents are generally resistant to pests and diseases, but can be vulnerable to aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects if the soil is too wet or there is not enough light. To prevent pests and diseases, it is important to properly care for the succulents, including giving them the right amount of water, light, and fertilizer.

Trivia

One interesting fact about succulents is that they are actually related to cacti. Although succulents and cacti look quite different, they both belong to the same plant family, the Crassulaceae. Unlike cacti, succulents have fleshy leaves and stems that are adapted to store water. This makes them ideal plants for growers in drier climates. Additionally, succulents are known for their unique shapes and textures, and can come in a variety of colors. This makes them great conversation pieces for any home. Source

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.