Succulents are a huge trend in gardening, and for very good reason. They are low maintenance, can take the heat, and require minimal water. Available in a wide variety of striking textures, interesting shapes, and a rainbow of colours, they provide fabulous structure and create a stunning display in any sunny location.
Grow succulents in your garden, containers, or let your creativity run wild with unique items such as bird baths, tea cups, vertical frames, terrariums, or wooden pallets. Mix different types of succulents together to create yourself a stunning display!
Succulents come from dry, desert locations and can retain water in their thick and fleshy leaves. Some succulents can be grown outside in the garden year round, but most prefer warm temperatures and aren't able to withstand freezing. When the weather warms up in the summer months, place outside in full sun and then move to a sheltered spot or inside by a sunny window when the temperatures drop below freezing.
Types of Succulents
- Echeveria - Rosette-forming plants that grows low to the ground that comes in a variety of shapes and colours. Often produces offsets (new rosettes). They are highly valued for their range of brightly coloured leaves and generally flower in the warmer months.
- Graptopetalum - A perennial with leaves that vary in colours of silver-grey, pink, waxy green, and often speckled. Their leaves are thick and form rosettes with star-shaped flowers in white and pink on long stems.
- Sedum - Hardy perennials that can thrive in some of the most challenging conditions and are perfect for rock gardens. Some types of sedum are deciduous and others are evergreen in a range of sizes from low-growing up to two feet or more.
- Aeonium - One of the most ornamental of all the succulents with multi branches of pronounced rosettes. Gorgeous spoon shaped foliage in a wide range of colors, textures, and sizes.
- Sempervivum - Makes a great ground cover and forms a mat of tufted leaves with rosettes in green, silver, and many shades of red. Flowers are usually star-shaped in shades of red, yellow, or pink.
- Dudleya - Comes in two distinct types: branching and unbranching. Branching species develop multiple rosettes that form low, tufted colonies, while unbranched species produce a solitary rosette.
- Cotyldedon - Characterized by forming opposing pairs of fleshy leaves. In spring, many send up spikes of coral bell-shaped flowers. Can be divided into two groups: one group consists of evergreen plants with a summer growing period. The other group is made up of deciduous plants, magnificent with large, solid fleshy stems.
How to Grow
Drainage
Succulents need to good drainage.
Plant in sandy soil and ensure your container has drainage holes so water can drain away from the roots.
Don’t ever let the roots stand in water.
Sun
Provide at least 6-8 hours of full sun a day. They tend to thrive in dry climates and don’t like a lot of humidity.
Place indoors in a sunny window or outdoors during the warm summer month.
Succulents do well in portable containers so they can be moved indoors if the weather gets too cold or wet.
Watering
Water only when the soil has completely dried out.
For More Information
Interested in desert plants? Come on in to Art's Nursery to see our selection and talk to our knowledgeable staff. If you’re making a special trip, please call ahead to confirm availability: 604.882.1201.