Succulents: Proper care

LITTLE GREEN LOVE

Succulents are easy-care houseplants and garden plants. This means they require little water and don't pose any major challenges. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure you enjoy your plants for a long time. With proper care and a suitable location, you can enjoy them for years to come.

That's why we recommend taking one day a week to take care of your succulents and see if they need anything.
If you have any questions or are unsure, please feel free to contact us at any time.
We'll be happy to help you.

WHAT IS A SUCCULENT?

Succulents are a group of plants that store water in their leaves, roots, or stems. Cacti are probably the most well-known. However, there is also a wide variety of other, non-prickly succulents that we specialize in. They often come from regions with little rainfall and high temperatures. This allows them to survive extended dry periods, making them ideal houseplants.

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT

Every succulent is a wonderfully diverse and unique living being. They grow individually, and no two are alike (and therefore never exactly like the one in our product photo). Each one is lovingly and carefully cultivated in our greenhouse in Stuttgart. Therefore, it may occasionally have a spot on the leaves or a slightly crooked stem. Those who prefer a flawless plant should therefore opt for a plastic alternative.

We'll replace any genuinely damaged plants at any time. We guarantee that 99% of the plants we ship weekly will arrive safe and sound (except for plants that have soil spread during shipping. This can easily be removed with a soft cosmetic brush).

Their coloration varies depending on the season and the associated day length, weather, temperature, irrigation, fertilization and the substrate.

Succulents, especially those in rosettes, naturally lose their lowest/older leaves. These dry out or become glassy (often due to overwatering). These leaves can be gently plucked off. New growth emerges from the center of the rosette. Some of these plants are also stem-forming.

Before your wedding/celebration: If you have any questions regarding collections for For guest gifts , we'd be happy to send you a current photo in advance via email or Messenger. This way, you can be sure that the coloring of the plants perfectly matches your expectations and matches your wedding's color theme. Here You can also have a sample of your favorite collection sent to you in advance.

You can find more information about wedding succulents on our wedding blog.

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY SUCCULENT?

It's especially important that you find a suitable location for your succulent roommates and care for them accordingly. Unfortunately, there are no generally applicable watering intervals, as photosynthesis, and thus growth, depends on several factors.

LIGHT

Succulents like as much direct light as possible. Plants for sunny locations should generally receive at least a few hours of sunlight a day. Indoors, they prefer to be placed directly on the windowsill or no more than half a meter from the window. Plants for shady locations can be placed up to 2 meters from the window.

Important: The less light they get, the less water they need, as both are essential for photosynthesis, and they also grow much slower

The succulent's external appearance also depends on (sun)light. UV light ensures compact growth and firmer leaves. The coloration also becomes more intense (especially in Echeverias!). With a lack of light and a warm location, succulents often develop unnaturally long and thin shoots sooner or later.

In the summer, you can place your succulents outside. After the winter months, you only need to allow them to acclimate to direct sunlight (UV radiation) to prevent burns. An acclimatization period is also important after shipping, where your succulents have spent some time in a dark package.

Overall, observe your plants and see if they are happy with their chosen location.

IRRIGATION

Important: If in doubt, it is better to water too little than too much!

In the product description you will find information about the location and watering for each plant.

Succulents should be watered generously during the growing season, from March to September, with watering reduced during the dormant period in winter. They should be given a good drink of water and then allowed to dry completely. 1-3 days in completely dry substrate stimulates root growth and the coloration becomes more intense. Plants that need water can also be identified by the less plump leaves.

Succulents should never be left sitting in water, as the resulting waterlogging is very likely to cause root rot. Unfortunately, this is the number one killer of succulents. In winter, watering is largely stopped. The only exceptions are so-called winter growers . (water relatively less despite decreasing light!)

Even at temperatures below 12°C or above 35°C, most succulents enter a kind of natural dormancy phase and therefore require less or no water.

Humidity is good for Tillandsias or Rhipsalis, but other succulents are more likely to develop fungi if the humidity is too high.

SUBSTRATE

For succulents, it's important to use a permeable, fast-drying substrate to prevent waterlogging. Sandy soil or mineral substrates are ideal for most succulents. As a universal mix, we recommend a mixture of equal parts Succulent substrate and Cactus soil .

Tip: Try to form the mixed, moistened substrate into a clump. If it holds together, add minerals. If it crumbles, your succulents will thrive in it.

FERTILIZATION

During the growth period from March to September, succulents should be fertilized regularly, approximately every four to six weeks. During the dormant period (in our case, this is winter, when there is little light available), fertilization and watering should be discontinued.

Repotting

The best time to repot is in spring. Water the plant again 3-5 days before transfer to ensure it has sufficient water.

Roughly remove the soil around the roots or expose it completely. Then let it dry, as some roots are likely to have been slightly damaged. The plant should be planted at the same depth or height in its pot as before (exceptions are stem-forming succulents). Freshly repotted plants should not be watered for one week. They should be kept in a bright, warm place until proper root development has occurred.

WINTERING

Dry, cool, and bright. Priorities in that order, with light being least important in winter. So, when in doubt, dark is better than too warm or too humid.

However, many succulents can also be kept at room temperature and with moderate watering. In this case, it's important to ensure that the succulents don't become too dry, but that they grow as little as possible.

CARNATIONS

Tillandsias They are succulent plants that absorb water and nutrients through the trichomes on their leaves. Accordingly, they don't require any substrate. Their roots serve primarily as attachment organs.

You should water according to the weather. Spray/mist/bathe more often when it's hot and dry, and less often when it's cold, dark, or humid. Generally, soaking every two weeks is the easiest method. Otherwise, spray every two to four days (atomizers are very good for this). In summer, suitable fertilizer add.

HARDY SUCCULENT PLANTS

Our small range of hardy succulents We grow them outdoors. Thus, they meet the winter hardiness guidelines for perennials. Furthermore, they are true to variety, planted in a balanced substrate, and, with their strong roots, are guaranteed to thrive in your garden.

Accordingly, they are neither suitable for indoor use nor year-round, as the product photos show. Ground cover plants like our hardy sedum often form numerous roots on their stems.

You can find more information about caring for succulents on our blog .