Succulents are incredibly tolerant of neglect which makes them a very difficult plant to kill.
As such, they’ve become favourites for those homeowners who have little time to care for their plants – or for those who have gardens which are regularly subject to drought.
Succulents are plants that have evolved parts of their anatomy to store water; since they store water in their tissues, they often perform well where water is in short supply.
Cacti are sometimes classified as succulents – but some horticultural experts prefer to place them in different categories. Bromeliads are also sometimes categorised with succulents, though again, some experts prefer to classify them separately too.
These plants all have a number of shared characteristics – most notably, of course, their resilience to low-water conditions.
Agave / Aloe Vera / Aeonium / Astrophytum / Crassula / Delosperma / Echeveria / Euphorbia / Kalanchoe / Lithops / Mammillaria / Notocactus / Opuntia / Sedum / Sempervivum / Senecio
Succulents and cacti are a category that covers a huge plethora of plants. Though all are drought tolerant and have low water needs, and most need plenty of sunlight, their needs can differ markedly depending on the environmental conditions within their native habitat ranges.
Most succulents and cacti require a free-draining soil or potting mix, with plenty of grit mixed in to enhance the drainage.
Succulents and cacti should generally only be watered once the soil or growing medium has been left to dry out. They will require infrequent but some watering between April and September, but water should always be allowed to drain away freely. Overwatering is a common rookie mistake, and one of the most likely problems you will encounter when growing these plants.
From September, watering will usually be reduced – or you may stop watering altogether until spring, which encourages a period of dormancy.
However, there are exceptions – some winter-flowering succulents, for example, will require regular watering during this time, followed by their dormant phase in the summer.
Succulents generally need good airflow – so ventilation is key, especially during the summer months.
Waterlogged and overly damp conditions are the main problem to avoid: all succulents and cacti require free-draining conditions and cannot tolerate wetness around their roots.
Spreading grit or another soil cover over the surface of the medium used can be a good idea.
Of course, the hardiness rating of the particular types of cacti and succulents you have chosen is important – especially if you plan on including these plants in an outdoor garden for some or all of the year.
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