A Comprehensive Guide to Indoor Succulent Care: Essential Tips for Beginners in Canada

If you’re a newbie plant parent in Canada seeking to learn the basics of caring for your fresh plants, then you’re in the right place. Succulents, with their thick, hardy leaves or broad stems that store water, are a popular choice for indoor plants. They are known for their ability to conserve water and withstand dryness, making them a perfect fit for dry conditions and drought-prone areas. Despite their reputation for being low-maintenance, caring for succulents can sometimes be challenging. But don’t fret, we’re here to simplify things for you with some crucial care tips that will help your succulents grow and flourish.

Succulents: An Ideal Choice for the Canadian Household

Succulents are excellent indoor houseplants for Canadian households, where winter dominates for almost 8 months of the year (unless you’re lucky enough to be in British Columbia). For example, snake plants, a popular type of succulent, are ideal for indoor environments as they can survive in low-light conditions. Below are some tips on caring for succulents inside your home. Follow these, and your houseplants will be eternally grateful.

Fundamental Care Tips for Succulents

1. Choose a Pot with Drainage Holes

Succulents are accustomed to living in high temperatures with minimal water. Their roots dislike wet conditions and are susceptible to rot, so it’s crucial that the pots used for succulents allow proper drainage for excess water. In fact, excessive moisture can be lethal for succulents, making this an essential point to remember.

2. Place Succulents Near a Window for Bright Light

These sun-loving plants thrive in hot climates and should receive plenty of light — but not so much that they get scorched. If your plant is growing predominantly in one direction, it may be a sign that the other side requires more light. Rotate your plant regularly to ensure each side receives ample sunlight, aiming for at least half a day’s worth of sunlight each day.

3. How often to water succulents

While it’s crucial not to overwater succulents, underwatering can also pose problems. Succulents are not accustomed to wet conditions, and too much moisture can cause their roots to rot. However, this doesn’t mean you should just spritz the soil lightly. As a general rule, the soil should be thoroughly soaked approximately every two to three weeks, although this can vary depending on the type of plant. We recommend the ‘soak and dry’ method for watering your succulents: saturate the soil with water and wait for it to dry out completely before rewatering. When watering, pour water directly onto the base of the plant, avoiding the leaves as this can lead to decay.

4. Opt for Well-Draining Soil

As previously mentioned, succulents detest dampness. Regular potting soil often retains too much moisture for these plants. To enhance drainage, consider adding sand or gravel to the potting mix. Alternatively, cactus soil is also a suitable choice.

5. Maintain High Temperatures

Succulents are fans of warm weather. During the summer months, they prefer temperatures between 21 to 26℃, while in winter, temperatures should range from 14 to 20℃.

The Role of Fertilizers in Succulent Care

Fertilizers can aid plants during their growth phase. However, if you’re using soil, fertilizers aren’t necessary as plants can derive most of their required nutrients from the soil. If you choose to use fertilizers, timing is crucial. Spring, when new growth occurs, is the best time to start. Fertilizers can be applied once a month, but they aren’t needed in winter as most plants are dormant with little growth during this season.

For a health boost, consider using a water-soluble fertilizer, diluting it according to the product’s recommendations. Homemade fertilizers are also beneficial; you can use crushed eggshells, Epsom salt, banana peels, or coffee grounds. These can be found in your kitchen and placed on top of the soil, then removed after a few days to prevent mold growth.

Where should I get fertilizers for my succulent plants?

If you’re looking for liquid fertilizers that will suit a range of different succulent types, be sure to check out the range offered by GreenPlanet Nutrients. GreenPlanet Nutrients fertilizers are especially designed to ensure the maximum yield is reached for all your plants and succulents. Suitable for any and all craft growers, both their liquid and dry fertilizers make great choices for your plants. If you’re looking to find out the difference between dry fertilizers and liquid fertilizers, check out this helpful article. You can also take a look at the different ranges available below:

Pruning and Maintenance of Succulents

When your succulent plants start to outgrow their pots, pruning can help keep them tidy and neat. If your succulents have thorns, spines, or milky sap, be sure to wear gloves for protection.

To prune succulents, carefully examine the stems and leaves. Look for leaf nodes in overgrown areas that would allow growth in the desired direction, then make your cuts. You can save these trimmings and use them to propagate more plants. Just let them dry for a day before replanting.

Additionally, it’s essential to remove any debris, dust, and dead leaves from your succulent. This promotes new growth, keeps pests at bay, and ensures your plant remains healthy and attractive. You can simply wipe the leaves with a damp cloth or use a small brush to dust off impurities.

Repotting Succulents: The Final Step

A growing plant is a happy plant. But if your succulent is outgrowing its pot, it’s time to give it a new home. Choose a new pot for your plant – terracotta pots are a good option since they allow the soil to dry quickly. Glazed and plastic pots are also suitable.

To repot your succulent, gently remove it from its current container. Brush off excess dirt from the roots, being careful not to damage this delicate part of the plant. After adding soil to the new pot, carefully place your succulent inside. Fill the sides around the roots with more soil until you reach ¾ of an inch below the rim of the container. Then, give the plant a week to adjust before watering it in its new home. Repotting is beneficial as it provides your plant with fresh soil and more room to grow.

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