You can improve your soil drainage in a few different ways. Gather Your Supplies. This will allow the roots with plenty of space to grow without being bogged down by moisture. As a result, they store water to last them through long periods with little or no water. Growing a succulent garden outside starts with plant choices. There are spreading or drooping types, such as burro’s tail; spiky, wide plants like agave; or tall, columned varieties such as old man’s cactus. How to create beautiful and healthy succulent gardens in 5 easy steps: lots of great tips on planting succulents, succulent care, soil and plant selections, and succulent container garden design secrets. Wherever you plant your succulent garden, if you’re looking for a unique way to display your plants, consider creating a mosaic. 1. The first step of successful succulent planting is to get rid of the nursery pot and remove as much soil as you can. 6. 1. Most people associate succulent gardening with the Southwest region of the country. Many are mat-forming, allowing them to spill over rocks, while others are masters at filling small pockets. Surround it with the other plants, clustering similar shapes together. If you’re going to plant your succulents outdoors, here’s a list of supplies you’ll need: A shovel; Unless you live in an area that has naturally sandy soil, you’ll need a substrate to add to the soil; course sand, such as turface, is a great choice; A top dressing How to Plan an Outdoor Succulent Garden When you’ve chosen your plants and are ready for planting, you will need to know how to plan an outdoor succulent garden. When planting succulents in the garden, dig a hole the size of the root ball and drop the succulent in. Planting and maintaining a succulent container garden is easy. Choose a sunny location and plot the space you want to fill. Keeping the stems out of the soil and providing drying periods between irrigation will help prevent this. Ideal soil conditions for succulents In your garden beds, you’ll achieve best results from your succulents when they’re planted in free-draining soil. or so of soil. This can go on top of the existing soil, or you can mix it in while adding additional porous materials such as sand. 8. When soil is dry a couple of inches down, water deeply and then let the soil dry out again between waterings. Because they look exotic, you might think succulents are difficult to plant and care for. Use rock mulch in succulent garden designs to retain heat around plants and enhance drainage. Succulents are able to survive on limited water resources, such as dew and mist, making them tolerant of drought. Succulent plants should be a part of every rock garden—if not the main attraction itself. That’s for a good reason. Now play around with your succulent arrangement! Tiny succulent gardens are a perfect way to brings some of the outdoors inside. (Below) Dudleya bloom from early spring to late summer. The key secret to growing a succulent garden is to start with the succulents you already have. Plan the placement of your succulents. If you are a novice, begin with plants that are easy and foolproof. Use rock mulch in succulent garden designs to retain heat around plants and enhance drainage. 2. Do not fill up the glass container entirely. Succulent garden design should consider the location, soil type, configuration, moisture level, and the types of plants. Ensure the location gets bright sun for at least a portion of the day, especially if your garden will include cacti. Wait a full week before you water your garden to allow the roots to harden and to recover from transplant damage. Plus, growing them from seeds will yield a bountiful harvest; in fact, you’ll likely have enough plants to fill your own windowsill or garden, and plenty left over to give away to friends and family! They can thrive in cracks and crevasses, rockeries and sandy or gritty soils. Check the soil conditions and drainage by digging a hole at least 1 foot (0.3 m.) deep and filling it with water. Choose a location for your garden that gets full sun to partial shade. The key is to select the right container, soil, and plants. 9 Most Popular Succulent Varieties No matter what kind of succulent you're growing, the rules are pretty similar among the different species. Choose a location for your garden that gets full sun to partial shade. If the water drains within a half hour, the soil is sufficiently porous. If you are replacing the soil in your planter, remove it now. Once you’ve decided where each plant will go, pull the succulents out of the starter pots and loosen the roots from the soil. Once you master those basic needs, occasional watering is all you need to help your succulents thrive. Fill it halfway before planting your succulents. Have fun with the unique sizes, shapes and textures of these plants. If stones have shallow depressions that hold soil, tuck succulents into that spot for a head-turning planting. Source: Feel Wunderbar. For instance, cacti are succulents and hold water in their stems and pads. Keep in mind it can take a few months to a few years for the plants to fill in the garden completely, but this option saves money on plants. Plant succulents carefully, with soil covering their roots and firm enough with your hand to support the lower stems of larger plants. The key to a successful succulent garden lies in the right kind of soil and light. Some common succulent types include: Echeveria – The crown jewels of all rosette-forming succulents, this type can be … For containers, buy a specially prepared potting mix, often sold as succulent and cacti mix. 1. Check the soil conditions and drainage by digging a hole at least 1 foot (0.3 m.) deep and filling it with water. Put them in a well-drained potting mix and care for them until roots are full and healthy, then plant them in a new area of the garden. In reality, succulents are some of the easiest plants to grow. When planting succulents in the garden, fast-draining soil is an absolute must. Here’s your guide on how to plant succulents outside. Top the area with a layer of pebbles or small rocks to act as mulch. Showcase succulents against a backdrop of rocks or tuck them between and behind rocks. Succulents are perfect for busy gardeners who want to enjoy their outdoor spaces but can’t always devote much time to maintenance. Be sure to save their flowers as Dudleyaare easy to grow from seed. Bigger sizes tend to get out of hand, loosing soil or even plants when hanging on a wall. In cold climates, it is not always possible to have a succulent garden outside, but you can grow them indoors in containers. (… Cover the stones with a layer of planting soil. 5. Other types of succulents are not spiny but have swollen leaves with a myriad of growth habits. 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Start with a plot of bare ground in the garden. Succulents are the hot item to have both inside and outside. Weed regularly to prevent unwanted plants from stealing water, nutrients, and ground space from your succulents. Choose a sunny location and plot the space you want to fill. Hollow out a little space in the soil for each plant. Don’t be tempted to crowd them - depending on the type, give them room to grow taller or to spread. You can find whole wreaths made out of succulents, outdoor topiaries shaped like turtles and a myriad of indoor stylings — some with a single plant and others in more of a succulent garden. Succulent gardens with plants that feature fat leaves and unusual shapes add interest to ordinary landscapes. “Then walk away from the plant! Smooth out the surface, but do not pat-down. We love it for the silvery-blue foliage contrasted with purple stems and lavender flowers. Plant a container garden that requires almost no care. But gardeners with thumbs of all colors love succulents because they’re as pretty to look at as they are easy to care for. Water until the soil is completely moist, usually no more than five minutes, depending on garden size. They’re naturally adapted to the hot, sunny conditions and the lean soil of traditional rock gardens. Learn a little about how to plan an outdoor succulent garden and bring some fun shapes and textures to your landscape. The optimum size of the box should be no bigger than 18 inches x 24 inches (46 x 61 cm.). Succulent gardens with plants that feature fat leaves and unusual shapes add interest to ordinary landscapes. Subscribe now and be up to date with our latest news and updates. Cover the roots and base of the plant with soil, but avoid packing the soil too tightly, as it can prevent the roots from accessing water and establishing themselves in their new home. Also, water from the base of the plant to keep leaves dry. The quickest and easiest is to plant on a slope or to create a raised bed. Plan the design with enough space for the plants to fill in as they grow. (Below) Oscularia deltoidesis a fast-growing ground cover that blooms several times a year. By: Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. When you plant succulents, you dress outdoor spaces with living sculptures. Creatively displaying succulents has become a fun new trend in home decorating. Pour the materials into your garden space and mix with the shovel. When you have chosen your plants and are ready for planting, you will need to know how to plan a succulent outdoor garden. Most succulents, with the exception of hens-and-chicks, are not as hardy to changing climates. Don’t backfill or tuck the soil back in around the roots,” Jesch stresses. Plus, if you’re a die-hard succulent fan, taking the time to grow them from seeds will really give you even more appreciation for the plants. The key to a successful succulent garden lies in the right kind of soil and light. Caring for Succulents can be easy. Planting Succulents Outside. Just make sure your pot has good drainage, which might mean drilling holes in the bottom. When planting succulents, set them into prepared soil (using gloves for spiny types), and sift soil around their bases, gently tamping down as you go. Do a little research on the wide variety of succulent shapes and sizes before starting a succulent garden outside. They thrive in conditions other plants would consider neglect. Here's how to create your own succulent tray garden in six relatively easy steps. Fertilize once in the spring and once in midsummer. Make sure to provide your succulent plants with at least 6 inches of this specialized soil. Space them several inches apart if you would like to allow the plants to grow and spread out. Showcase succulents against a backdrop of rocks or tuck them between and behind rocks. Nurseries almost always plant their succulents in soil that’s way too dense and retains too much water. (Below) Delosperma'Garnet' provides a bright, dense mat of flowers to any landscape. Plant the succulent into the soil in the glass container. Prepare the outdoor garden's existing soil removing the grass and weeds and breaking it up with a shovel. It is tempting to buy the pretty succulents you see at the grocery store or the trendy display you see at the garden center, but it is important to know how to care for these live plants. Remove dead stems and offsets during the care of succulent garden plants. Succulents make excellent display plants in dish gardens. Watch for insect pests and combat them with sprays of water and horticultural soap spray. Once you master those basic needs, occasional watering is all you need to help your plants thrive. Leaving this air gap allows the soil to slowly work its way back in around the roots at the same growth rate as the plant. 3. They thrive in conditions other plants would consider neglect. Try some kalanchoe, aloe, echeveria and aeonium. Wait a couple weeks before watering. One of the most effective ways to create a succulent garden design is to blend these quirky plants with rocks. I absolutely love the colors in this one – the reds and greens really bring out the best in each other and the way it’s arranged, it truly looks like a work of art. Offsets are easy to start as a completely new plant. The more of this nursery soil you’re able to get rid of, the healthier your succulent’s roots will be. Vertical Succulent Planters. In fact, it’s so easy you can’t fail. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! This will help prevent weeds and conserves moisture while allowing evaporation of excess water. How to plant an indoor succulent garden I love having plants in every room of my house and succulents are my new favorites. Allow plants to dry between soakings. To start a vertical garden with cuttings, add … Many vertical succulent gardens are grown in a simple wooden box, with a depth of about two inches (5 cm.). Do a little research on the wide variety of succulent shapes and sizes before starting a succulent garden outside. Create a fast-draining soil by combining equal parts sharp builder's sand, a larger, coarse material, such as gravel or pumice, and either the existing garden soil or potting mix. Use a half-strength, phosphorus-rich houseplant fertilizer. Copyright © 2013-2020 World of Succulents. Use taller specimens at the center of the area and spreading species at the edges or dotted among the larger plants as ground cover. When you’ve chosen your plants and are ready for planting, you will need to know how to plan an outdoor succulent garden. Sedum and sempervivum are easy to grow and adaptable to bright, sunny locations or even slightly dappled areas. 4. Once you master those basic needs, occasional watering is all you need to help your succulents thrive. Use succulent outdoor plants as part of a xeriscape area of the garden, to conserve water and provide interest and color. Basically, growing succulents is just as simple as planting them: watering these cactus-like plants during the summer months is more than adequate if done on twice a week basis. Sign up for our newsletter. Although succulent plants are very tolerant of dry conditions, they do need water, especially during the growing season. Nurseries almost always plant their succulents in soil that’s way too dense and retains too much water. Allow them to settle in for a day or two before watering, to allow broken roots to heal. The most common problem with succulents is rot. Bees love their yellow flowers! Some succulents are more drought tolerant than others. And because succulents are one of the best plants to propagate, you won’t need to worry about buying plants from the store. The more of this nursery soil you’re able to get rid of, the healthier your succulent’s roots will be. Cover the soil surface with coarse sand, gravel, or other inorganic mulch, and water very gently to settle soil around roots and plant bases. Basically, give the plants a good water soaking, and then wait until the succulent plant dries out completely. Because they look exotic, you might think succulents are difficult to plant and care for. Remove Your Pot and Soil. All rights reserved. Check before watering to make sure the soil has mostly dried out. This will give you ample room to maneuver while arranging the plants and adding decor like pebbles and sand. Plant. Their brilliant pink peduncle (inflorescence stalk) is a show stopper in the rock garden. Thoroughly water the hole prior to planting the succulent. If stones have shallow depressions that hold soil, tuck succulents into that spot for a head-turning planting. The first step of successful succulent planting is to get rid of the nursery pot and remove as much soil as you can. Water one to two times per month during the spring and summer and once about every other month during fall and winter. Succulent garden design should consider the location, soil type, configuration, moisture level, and plant types. These plants are native to drought prone areas. Succulent gardens, with plants that feature fat leaves and unusual shapes, add interest to ordinary landscapes. Planting succulents in pots Planting Succulents Outdoors. The word “succulent” comes from the Latin word sucus, meaning juice or sap. Succulents are plants with fleshy, thickened leaves and/or swollen stems that store water. Succulents are able to survive on limited water resources, such as dew and mist, making them tolerant of drought. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Succulents are the camels of the plant world, bearing thick, fleshy leaves that store water. During the winter, cut-backs are recommended. The word “succulent” comes from the Latin word sucus, meaning juice or sap. Succulent garden design is appropriate for warm, temperate and even cold season locations. I happened to buy a few really tiny succulents last month and decided to make a mini garden for them. Shake a few ounces of soil into the planter over the pebble base. Succulents are one of the most popular plants to grow both inside and outside the home due to their sculptural form and low-maintenance nature.Hardy, and easy-going, they're also fantastic plants for propagating, which means its incredibly easy to grow the succulent garden of your dreams. Use rooting hormone or even a sprinkle of cinnamon to encourage root growth. However, you can still plant your favorite succulents in your yard this year. The key to a successful succulent garden lies in the right kind of soil and light. 1. Succulents are generally drought tolerant plants that have thick leaves where they store moisture. If you’re planning your garden this year, you’ll want to be sure to add a few succulents where you can. The soil will need to be at least an inch thick in order to hold most succulents securely and allow them to take root. Succulents are a large family of plants … Since succulents normally have a shallow root system, they can become established in just an inch (2.5 cm.) Whatever types of plants you choose, succulents need well-drained soil. This feature makes them ideal as indoor-home plants or outdoor as part of a low maintenance garden … of sand or other gritty material to increase the texture and drainage. 7. If not, simply mix in 3 inches (7.5 cm.) Break up the soil to keep it from clumping and becoming too dense. Some succulents are more drought tolerant than others. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Choosing containers: Succulent roots can thrive in a shallow, wide container. Place the succulent in the hole. Place them close together if you want an immediately full garden. If you’re feeling like your garden is missing something ‘a bit different’ then look no further than outdoor succulents! These textural beauties hail … In the photo above, hardy Sedum and Sempervivum spill out between large boulders. Succulents are plants with fleshy, thickened leaves and/or swollen stems that store water. Propagating succulents is a more straightforward process than you might think. In reality, succulents are some of the easiest plants to grow. Pack down the dirt around each one. Succulents in cool season areas will do best in containers that are brought indoors for the winter. Succulent plants tolerate periods of dryness, but should receive regular water during the growing season. Step 3: Plant the succulent into the soil. SUCCULENTOPEDIA: Browse succulents by Genus, Family, Scientific Name, Common Name, Origin, or cacti by Genus. Read more articles about General Cactus Care. Succulents can't tolerate constantly moist conditions, which would essentially cause the plants' roots to rot. Choose a sunny location and plot the space you want to fill. Have chosen your plants thrive grass and weeds and conserves moisture while allowing evaporation of excess.! Are easy to grow and adaptable to bright, dense mat of flowers to any.. Should be a part of every rock garden—if not the main attraction itself thick in order hold! And breaking it up with a shovel water until the soil Browse succulents by Genus conditions and drainage by a! This nursery soil you ’ re able to survive on limited water resources such! Need to help your plants thrive garden 's existing soil removing the grass weeds! Get out of hand, loosing soil or even slightly dappled areas pebbles small... 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