Succulents are a popular choice among homeowners and interior designers as they are low-maintenance plants, but they’re still visually appealing and can bring a touch of greenery and nature indoors. These plants have rocketed in popularity as they’re relatively difficult to kill, so even if you’re not particularly green-fingered, you can still enjoy their gorgeous colors in your home. If you’re interested in adding succulents to your living space, this guide will walk you through the types of succulents to choose, how to arrange them, and how to care for them.
Types Of Succulents To Choose From
When you’re ready to buy succulents for your home, you want to think about how they look and how easy they are to care for and maintain. Below, we’ve included some of the most sought-after succulents for decorating the home:
Echeveria: One of the most popular types, Echeverias are characterized by their beautiful rosette shapes. They come in numerous species and hybrids with a multitude of colors and sizes. Their ornamental leaves can display hues of blue, green, pink, and even black.
Sempervivum: Known for their tolerance to colder temperatures, these are excellent for outdoor spaces but can also be brought inside.
Aloe Vera: These are functional as well as decorative. Aloe Vera plants can grow quite large if allowed, so consider space when incorporating them.
Jade Plant: Often considered a symbol of good luck, these succulents have shiny, dark green leaves and can live for a very long time if properly cared for. They’re also easy to propagate if you’d like to grow more.
Snake Plant: Snake plants come in a range of sizes, and they are actually one of the best plants for improving your indoor air quality. They are extremely resilient and can survive low light conditions and irregular watering – great if you’re a busy bee with a tendency to forget about your plants!
Zebra Plant: With its striking pattern, the Zebra Plant can add a touch of interest to a room. They are fairly small, making them a perfect option for adding to desktops or windowsills.
Cacti: These super popular succulents come in many shapes and sizes. From the tall Saguaro to the small, round Peyote, cacti offer a different aesthetic due to their unique appearance.
How to Arrange Your Succulents
When arranging your succulents, there are several factors to consider.
Size Is Important
When choosing succulents, you’ll want to think about the space you are filling. A large, tall Snake Plant looks awesome for a statement floor arrangement, but it would be a little much for a small tabletop.
On the other hand, small Echeverias or Zebra Plants could get lost in a larger room, but they are perfect for small spaces and shelving.
Adding Color
When looking for the perfect plants to complement the color palette of your room, succulents actually offer you a variety of options:
Monochrome Vibes:
If you’re going for a more understated and elegant feel, you might choose more simple-colored succulents that come in various shades of green, like the below:
- Jade Plant: These succulents add a gorgeous deep, emerald green shade that can add richness and depth to your room.
- Snake Plant: The green leaves on snake plants often have lighter green or even yellowish areas; this adds a subtle injection of color without being too overwhelming.
- Haworthia: With its dark green leaves and lighter green stripes, this succulent offers wonderful shades while still being subtle.
Vibrant, Colorful Vibes:
If you’re looking to add pops of color, some succulents come in more eye-catching shades, like those below, work well:
- Echeveria ‘Perle Von Nurnberg’: This Echeveria hybrid has a stunning dusty pink color that deepens when exposed to more light.
- Sedum ‘Firestorm’: This succulent offers a warm burst of red-orange color that can add vibrancy to your room.
- Graptopetalum ‘Purple Delight’: As the name suggests, this succulent comes in a lovely shade of purple, giving you the option to add a cooler, contrasting color to your space.
Grouping Your Succulents
When you’re arranging your plants, you can either group the same types of succulents together or mix and match your favorites to create a more stand-out display.
Top tip: Designers often recommend using odd numbers when grouping plants, as this tends to look more natural – give it a go when adding succulents to your home – three works particularly well!
The Right Containers
The choice of container can make or break your arrangement. Terra cotta pots offer a traditional, rustic look and excellent drainage. Ceramic pots can add a pop of color, and glass containers can offer a modern, clean appearance. Just ensure whichever container you choose has adequate drainage, as this is important for the health of your succulents.
Placing Your Succulents
Succulents need a good amount of light, so place them in well-lit areas of your home. South or east-facing windows are usually ideal. However, if you lack natural light, you can also use grow lights to support them.
How To Care For Your Succulents
Once your succulents are beautifully arranged, ongoing care is essential. Although they are incredibly hardy plants, there are a few things to bear in mind if you want to keep them in tip-top condition:
Watering
This is where most people go wrong. Succulents need far less water than other indoor plants. Overwatering these plants can lead to root rot, which is often fatal. The general rule of thumb is to let the soil dry out completely between each watering.
Light
Succulents love light. In fact, six to eight hours of indirect sunlight is usually needed. However, some varieties are more tolerant of low-light conditions. So, if your home doesn’t have a lot of daylight, opt for snake plants or certain types of Haworthia, which are well-suited for less sunny spaces.
Soil
When it comes to soil, drainage is key. Always use a well-draining soil mix, preferably soil formulated for cacti and succulents. This will ensure that water does not linger at the roots.
Temperature And Humidity
Most succulents prefer dry air and moderate temperatures. However, they can adapt to less-than-ideal conditions. This isn’t so much of an issue if your plants are indoors, but just be cautious of extreme cold, as very few varieties can survive a frost.
Fertilization
During the growing season, typically spring and summer, you can fertilize your succulents using a diluted, balanced fertilizer. Fertilization should be sparse; doing it once a month is generally sufficient. And honestly? This step isn’t essential, so don’t stress if you forget.
Pruning And Propagation
As your plants grow, some pruning may be needed to maintain their shape and keep the plant in tip-top condition. Many succulents also propagate easily, so you can take a leaf or stem cutting and grow a whole new plant if you’re interested in this.
In Summary
Decorating your home with succulents is a great way to add some natural colors and depth to the space without it becoming an overwhelming task. By selecting the right types of succulents and really thinking about how you’re going to arrange them, you can easily transform your living space. Although you can spruce up your space with any plant, succulents are great as they are low maintenance. So, whether you are a seasoned gardener or a complete beginner, succulents are an excellent choice for bringing a touch of nature into your home.
