Succulents are beautiful, colorful plants that brighten any indoor environment and best of all, are easy to take care of. Their thick and fleshy leaves help the plants store water and do not require a lot of attention. Certain type of succulents thrive better indoors and should be kept in a well lit environment that mirrors the dessert climate that they are use to.
If you are drawn to the thick, colorful radiance of these plants, or you have more practical uses for these succulents, like the multipurpose Aloe Vera. A key part of grow succulents indoors is choosing the right pot.
Succulents require certain soil and weather conditions to thrive, including;
- Good Drainage. Laying pebbles at the bottom of your pots helps with drainage.
- Proper Aeration and Soil: To aid evaporation use 1:1 mixture of potting soil and perlite.
- Thorough Watering. Soak the soil in water, then wait until it is completely drained to water again. But, do not overwater especially if the pot is small.
- Sunlight: A few hours of direct sunlight or less, depending on type of succulent.
Taking these factors into consideration, when choosing a pot for your succulents.
Drainage
To prevent drowning your plants in excessive water, your pots must have drainage holes or pebbles at the bottom of the pot. Watering succulents is often difficult to gauge, especially for those without extensive knowledge on individual plants. A drainage hole bypasses all that worrying and, most importantly, ensures your plants mature quickly.
Material
There are quite a few option to pick from when deciding on your succulents potting. From ceramics to concrete, even glass.
- Ceramics or Terracotta: Arguably the best choice, and with a variety of beautiful designs and colors. Ceramic and terracotta pots have a porous, breathable surface—ensuring your soil drains and gets good airflow at the same time. These pots are perfect for indoor plants.
- Plastic: Solid and durable, but not porous. Make sure you get one with draining holes or drill a hole at the bottom.
- Wood: A unique, more natural medium for your succulents is wood. It has an excellent water retaining factor, keeping your plants well watered. The problem with wood, though, is that over time, it begins to rot if not treated properly.
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Glass: Aesthetically pleasing, but mostly impractical. Glass pots are not well suited for succulent plants as their surfaces make it hard for airflow and evaporation and drainage of water.
Watering
Succulents do not need a lot of water especially in the winter time. Limit the watering to once a week if you are using a small pot and twice if the pot is large. If the soil doesn't look dry, especially during the winter months reduce the amount of water to every other week.
Choose the right pot, and you are well on your way to having a beautiful indoor garden of Lithops, Burro's Tail or Jade plants.