Are you tired of watching your succulents struggle in containers, despite your best efforts? Say goodbye to those frustrations because we’ve got you covered with our top tips for achieving succulent success in containers. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps on how to ensure your succulents thrive – from choosing the right container, selecting the perfect soil, matching light needs, planting tips and more. Let’s dig in!
Choosing the Right Container:
When it comes to selecting containers for your succulents, terracotta and ceramic pots reign supreme. These porous materials allow for better airflow to the roots and help regulate moisture levels, crucial for preventing overwatering—a common cause of succulent demise. We have literally thousands of pots on site for you to choose from, many of which make perfect succulent arrangement vessels. Our ceramic and terra cotta selections are second to none, and as you wander the nursery you’ll also see dozens of potted arrangements from which you can draw inspiration.
For container selection success, keep the following tips in mind:
- Minimal Pot Depth: Succulents have shallow root systems, so when you are first starting out, opt for containers with minimal depth. This prevents excess soil moisture from accumulating around the roots, thereby reducing the risk of rot and fungal diseases. For more information on why pot size matters in relation to the size of the plants’ roots, check out our post on how photosynthesis works.
- Drainage Holes: The importance of drainage cannot be overstated when it comes to succulent containers. Ensure your pots have adequate drainage holes at the bottom to allow excess water to escape freely. (I’m hesitantly going to add that with experience, you will eventually learn the tricks to be able to plant in containers without drainage. However if you’re just starting out, we strongly suggest drainage holes.) Without proper drainage, succulents are prone to root rot, which can quickly spell disaster. If you utilize a saucer under an outdoor container, be sure to remove it during the rainy season. Again, we’re stressing the importance of not allowing the soil to stay moist for long periods of time.
Utilizing the Right Soil for Proper Drainage:
Proper soil drainage is essential for the health of succulents. To ensure adequate drainage, use a well draining soil mix specifically formulated for succulents and cacti. You can either purchase a pre-made succulent soil mix, such as our favorite UniGro Cactus & Succulent mix, or create our own by combining potting soil, perlite, pumice, and coarse sand. See our blog post on Amending Potting Soil for more information. It’s also a good idea to remove most of the soil mix found in the grower’s plastic pot before planting it in its new container. Growers use a mix that works for them in their optimal nursery conditions, however we find that their mix is often too water-retentive, especially if the plants will live outdoors during our wet rainy months.
Depending on the size of container you select, we have 3 sizes of pre-mixed succulent soil to choose from: 4 qt, 8 qt, and 1 cubic foot. If you’re unsure of what size to use, simply bring your container to the counter and our nursery associates will gladly help pair you with the right one!
Selecting Compatible Succulents with Similar Light Needs:
When choosing succulents for your container, it’s essential to select varieties that have similar light requirements. Some succulents prefer full sun, while others thrive in partial shade. Mixing succulents with different light needs in the same container can lead to uneven growth and unhappy plants. Similarly, choosing succulents that prefer full sun to live indoors is a recipe for disappointment. Luckily for those that shop our nursery, our succulents are all curated into “Sun Exposure Zones” so choosing compatible plants is easy. If shopping at The Secret Garden isn’t possible:
- Research the light preferences of each succulent species you wish to use, and group together those with similar needs.
- Adjust the information based on your location. The internet may tell you that Crassula love full sun, however we’ve found that in Sacramento most of them prefer bright indirect light or at least protection in the afternoons, as they tend to burn in our hottest summer months. Again, when you shop with us, the work has already been done and all succulents are displayed in separate sun exposure zones that have been well tested for success.
Planting at the Correct Depth:
When you transfer your succulent from its nursery pot into its new home, it’s important to pay attention to how deep you plant it. A general rule of thumb is to mimic how deep it was in the nursery pot. Pay attention to where the soil met the stem and then be mindful of not burying it deeper than it was previously, and likewise not leaving the previously buried roots or stem exposed.
Fertilizing for Soil Health:
The health of your succulents, when planted in containers, can weaken over time if the soil nutrition is not replenished. Consider that the beneficial elements in the soil are basically washed out as the plant is watered. We therefore suggest regular monthly feedings with Dr. Earth Organic All Purpose Fertilizer. For more information, check out our recent fertilizer post here.
In Conclusion
By following these tips for choosing the right container, utilizing the proper soil mix, and selecting compatible succulents, you’ll be well on your way to creating a stunning succulent display that thrives year-round. Say goodbye to succulent struggles and say hello to thriving, happy plants!
Of course if you’re still unsure at any stage, our wonderful team of experts will be happy to further guide you. Drop us a comment below or stop by the shop today to speak with a sales associate! If you know of someone who would find this information helpful for their own succulent journey, please feel free to share!
