Succulents - It Is What to Grow in July
Julie Henrichs, Dakota County Master Gardener
In May, the annuals were planted, but as the hot and dry days of July arrive are some of your annual planters looking overgrown or have they lost their curb appeal? Are your children still wanting to play in the dirt? Then look no further than the world of succulents. Succulents can easily be added to existing planters to refresh the look or they can be planted alone in a container. Explore with your child what makes succulents so unique and start planting!
What is so unique about a succulent?
Succulents store water in their leaves - it allows them to survive in hot/dry conditions. Waxy coverings on the leaves help retain moisture and their root systems are not deep which allows for quicker water absorption when there is not much water available.
Succulents come in all shapes, sizes and textures and their colors and markings vary as well.
Lithops - look like stones or pebbles
Sedums - small leaves form in clusters - usually round leaves
Echeverias - often resemble a flower - leaves are thick and arranged in rosettes
Cacti – yes, a cactus is a succulent - but as they say, all succulents are not cacti; spiky thick stems
Planting our Succulent Planter
Succulents can be added to an existing planter if the correct conditions and soil exist, but if they don’t, start by picking an empty planter where your succulents can receive a lot of indirect sunlight. Succulents come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors so let your child choose 3-5 succulent plants depending on the size of your planter. Most succulents will do well in shallow planters, but any will do. Let’s get planting!
Gather the following:
Succulents (1-5 based on size of container)
Planter/Container - well draining and shallow is better
Succulent/Cacti Soil - well draining soil
Pebbles/Small River Rock for top dressing (optional)
Planting Time
Child can choose succulents - choose an appropriate number to fit the container
Children can fill the planter with succulent/cacti soil, leaving about ½” to 1 “from rim of planter
Before planting - arrange succulents in planter; once you have decided on the best arrangement, then planting can begin
Succulent leaves can be fragile and can break off easily so please use caution when planting. If you have chosen to plant cacti then it will be helpful to have rubberized gloves on and possibly use a tong to place the cacti in the pot.
Dig small hole for the succulent; place succulent in hole and then gently fill in around plant.
Repeat the process above until all succulents are planted.
Watering/Sunlight
Key to watering is less is best. Succulents can thrive with little water. Invite your child to water, but emphasize that less water is needed for succulents.
The best method for watering succulents is to thoroughly water the succulent until the soil is saturated (runs through) and then allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again.
Succulents may dry out quicker when outside, but do not overwater.
Sunlight is important to succulents; however, it’s best not to place the plant in direct sun, but instead bright indirect sunlight.
Enjoy your new summer creation - the Succulent Planter. Don’t forget your new creation can be brought inside in the Fall when temperatures begin to cool. The succulent planter is a great addition to your “garden” - inside and out.
Photo Credits: www.flickr.com (1,2), www.pexels.com (3,4)