One might think growing a succulent is as simple as placing it in your bathroom and crossing your fingers to hope for the best! However, there is more to succulent care than just the bare minimum, and the bathroom is the worst environment for such plants.

It is easy to attain a thriving indoor succulent collection. Plant experts have provided their opinions on what succulents are best for keeping indoors and tips on how to keep them happy year-round.

 

What exactly is a succulent?

Succulents are plants that are characterised by a thickened appearance which helps them retain water in dry climates. The water is usually stored in two main places:
1. Plump leaves – in the case of lead succulents.
2. In a thick stem – in the case of cacti which are also part of the succulent family.

 

What types of succulents are best for keeping indoors?

Not all succulents are conducive to being kept indoors, especially if your home is predominantly dark or damp.

Founder of The Planthunter and spokesperson for Plant Life Balance, Georgina Reid’s top 3 succulents for keeping indoors are the jungle cactus (Rhipsalis species), haworthia (Haworthia species) and the mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata). These plants all tolerate low-light conditions and require little water compared to other succulent varieties.

Reid advises avoiding keeping cacti indoors, except the jungle cactus (which is in the cactus family but has evolved to grow in rainforests). She says, “Think about it – these are plants that have evolved to love desert conditions. When they’re placed in a dark indoor environment and watered too much, they’ll just turn to mush.”

The favourite indoor succulents of Alana Langan, co-founder of botanical wares studio Ivy Muse, include the chain of hearts (Ceropegia woodii), donkey’s tail (Sedum morganianum) and the Mexican snowball (Echeveria elegans).

 

Where should succulents be placed around my home?

Whilst the amount of light each succulent needs varies based on the species, most will generally benefit from a sunny location.

Jacqui Vidal from Ivy Muse says, “Your best bet is to find a sunny windowsill or spot close to a window which is often bathed in light. Without this key requirement, your succulent will simply not thrive.”

While some varieties will be well suited to a shadier spot, the bathroom is always a no-go succulent zone. This is because it’s a combination of all the things the plant hates, such as water, shade and humidity.

 

How often should I water my succulents?

Water is the biggest killer of indoor succulent plants. With that in mind, rather than following a set watering schedule, it’s much better to water succulents only when their soil is dry. To determine this all you need to do is stick your finger into the potting mix. If it’s damp, don’t water. If it’s dry, water.

You shouldn’t leave the plants sitting in saucers filled with water either. Once you’ve watered the plant you should wait half an hour for the mix to drain, then go ahead and tip the excess water out.

 

How do I keep my succulents looking healthy over time?

The key to long-term succulent care is careful observation and some additional care. Once we know what to look for, the shape of a succulent can help communicate its condition.

Langan says, “If your succulent seems to be growing to one side (due to chasing the sunlight), you can help it to retain a more consistent shape by turning the pot 90 degrees every day during spring and summer.”

Secondly, regular doses of liquid organic fertiliser during the growing season provide plants with essential nutrients. Finally, Reid suggests taking all indoor plants on regular “holidays” outside to get fresh air and rain.

 

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