Growing Succulents Outdoors: Tips for Thriving Plants
Considering enhancing your landscape with an eye-catching variety of succulents? Not only is the concept intriguing, but it is also quite simple to implement. Growing succulents outdoors is not difficult, even if you are a novice or have a grey thumb, because they can thrive in crevasses and fissures, sandy or grippy soils. Nonetheless, cultivating succulents outside can occasionally be challenging. Temperature, moisture, and the amount of sunlight are three important environmental parameters we must consider. Your succulents will thrive and even spread on their own with little intervention if you create growing conditions comparable to those in their natural environments. We have a list of tips for growing succulents outdoors to make your experience smooth.
General Tips for Growing Succulents Outdoors
1.Protect from Extreme Temperatures
Only a few species of succulents can survive temperatures below freezing, so keep that in mind if you intend to plant them outside. Moreover, some desert conditions can be too harsh, even though most succulents enjoy the light and heat. Sedums and sempervivums (alpine species) are outliers since they can withstand temperatures below zero. Read more about winter care of succulents.Moreover, most cacti, certain aloes, and succulents like agaves can withstand the extreme heat of the desert.
Several trustworthy succulents can withstand outdoor circumstances year-round in mild climes. We recommend planting hens and chicks. Several varieties of Elephant’s Food (Portulacaria afra), Agave “Moonshine,” Crassula “Ripple Jade,” and Crassula “Hobbit Jade,” as well as Aeonium “Plum Petals.” are suitable for growing succulents outdoors.
2. Avoid too Much Sun
Novice succulent growers frequently believe that the sunniest spot in the yard is ideal for their plants, but not all succulents enjoy spending the entire day in the sunbathing position. Among the countless species of succulents, preferences might vary greatly. Some succulents prefer shade, while others prefer filtered light, sun, and blazing sun.
Most plants, on average, prefer two to three hours of filtered sun each day. If a sunny window is not an option for indoor succulent placement, you can still overwinter your succulents under grow lights while growing succulents outdoors. Bring your plants outside gradually to adapt so they may enjoy the outdoors once more and prevent sunburn.
3.The Right Mixture of Sand and Soil
Succulents dislike having their roots sit in moist soil, so add sand or pumice to your soil mix to increase drainage. Perlite, tiny gravel, crushed granite, or Turface are other nonorganic minerals that will assist in loosening the soil (a calcined clay product).
To protect the soil from becoming too heavy, utilize volcanic sands (pumice and scoria), although normal sand is also OK. Because of shipping weight restrictions, most commercial mixes lack a significant sand component. Good drainage and durability are provided by a mixture of 60% nonorganic and 40% organic material for growing succulents outdoors.
4. Provide Sufficient Fertilizer
Due to their lack of vast, deep root systems that can search out nutrition sources, all succulents and cacti require regular fertilization. Succulents will turn yellow, stop growing, and lose their lovely lustre and foliage hues if not fertilized properly while growing succulents outdoors.
We suggest applying an all-purpose 15-15-15 fertilizer twice or thrice a year after planting succulents in the garden. Use a general-purpose houseplant fertilizer once a month for potted succulent plants.
5.Don’t be Afraid to Give a Prune
If succulents become rowdy, never be afraid to prune or shape them, especially if multiple plants are gathered while growing succulents outdoors. This prevents one variety from overwhelming another. Tipping, clipping, branch removal, and division are all appropriate pruning methods. You can replant the cuttings or give them to friends after pruning.
Let the cuttings dry and heal at the wound for several days before planting to prevent them from absorbing too much water. Remove dry or dead leaves from the plant’s base and perimeter regularly while growing succulents outdoors. Succulents shed their lower and outer leaves as they develop and mature. Trimming withered foliage improves your plants’ appearance and promotes new development and air circulation.
5. Avoid Pests
Succulents do not attract many pests; however, those grown outside can become plagued with the nasty mealybug. These white, wingless insects live in warmer regions in greenhouses, where they feed on juicy plants—and there is no juicer plant than a succulent.
Remove the infested leaf or limb if you see mealybugs on your outdoor succulent. If the pests have infested the entire plant, destroying it while growing succulents outdoors is preferable.
Tips for Growing Succulents Outdoors on the Ground
If you live in a perennially warm environment, consider planting some of your succulents in your garden bed for all the benefits of pots. They survive weather fluctuations better than most plants because they are desert natives and are an easy solution to reduce unnecessary water usage.
While growing succulents in the ground, giving them well-draining soil is critical to avoid root rot. Make a six-inch mound of a lightweight, succulent-specific soil mix before planting. Then, in this mound, plant your succulent while growing succulents outdoors.
Provide extra space between plants when growing succulents that prefer to sprawl, such as hens and chicks. As they develop, these small plants spread widely. Succulents require little attention once planted in a garden bed.
If their leaves begin to shrink during periods of excessive drought or heat, you should consider watering them. Nonetheless, bear in mind that thirsty succulents are preferable to wet succulents. When in doubt, if you’re not sure if it needs water, err on the side of not watering your succulents.
Tips for Growing Succulents Outdoors in a Container
Succulents grow well in a variety of containers. Those that only reside indoors can live in nearly any vessel, from teapots to terrariums, as long as the amount of water is carefully controlled. Succulents, on the other hand, can be soaked by heavy rains when grown outside.
As a result, it’s critical to utilize pots with drainage holes. Terracotta pots are good because they naturally wick moisture away from the soil. Succulents should be planted in a lightweight succulent soil mix with good drainage.
Potted succulents grown outdoors, like succulents planted in the ground, require little watering. Check up with your plants if the weather is unusually hot or dry. Is the foliage shrivelled? Is there dust in the soil? If so, they’re probably thirsty.If you want read learn more about watering succulents make sure to check our article, Do’s and Don’ts of watering succulents.
While most succulents thrive in full sun, some thrive in partial shade or shade. Please ensure the succulents in your planter have similar light requirements, then place them in a part of the yard where they will thrive while growing succulents outdoors.
Bringing Succulents Indoors- For Overwintering
If you reside in a colder region, your potted succulents must be brought indoors before the season’s first frost. Check for mealybugs before moving inside. Remove any infested plant parts; you don’t want to bring bugs to your indoor plants.
Most succulents require a lot of light once they’re indoors. We recommend investing in grow lights if you don’t get enough sunlight. Some succulents go dormant in the winter and require very little water.
On the other hand, some continue to develop actively and require watering as frequently as once a week. Investigate your individual plants to ensure a comfortable, healthy winter vacation indoors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, succulents are hardy and resilient plants that can thrive both indoors and outdoors with proper care. Growing succulents outdoors requires paying attention to their sunlight, water, and temperature needs and protecting them from pests and extreme weather conditions. You can enjoy a beautiful and thriving garden filled with these unique and fascinating plants by providing your succulents with the right conditions. Here are some fascinating tall succulents and some low-maintenance succulents for your outdoor space. Remember always to research the specific needs of your succulent species, and don’t hesitate to ask for advice from gardening experts or fellow succulent enthusiasts. With a little effort and knowledge, you can successfully care for your succulents and create a stunning outdoor display.