Don’t over water these tough hardy plants is the key to their success. All over the world plant breeders have risen to the challenge of producing plants of outstanding quality and incredible interest. Succulents are the perfect choice, not only do they look good they thrive on minimal care.

Succulents are the group of plants that save water for dryer times in their leaves, stems or roots and have adapted different ways to surviving harsh conditions. One of these features is prominent in all succulents.

Succulents that store moisture in their leaves have evolved different ways to reduce water loss. Crassulas have a wax like skin, some varieties have small evaporation areas and others form rosettes trapping any available moisture so it runs down to the base of the plant. Others reduce the amount of exposure to the sun, by clumping foliage close together.

Stem succulents reduce the loss of moisture through evaporation with non-existent leaves and the photosynthesis process happens through stems. Some stems have a series of fine hairs to trap moisture within itself.

Root succulents store moisture underground and this further decreases the exposure to heat and reduces moisture loss.

Top Tips to thriving succulents

• The soil needs to dry out between waterings, they hate being waterlogged. If planted in pots ensure the drainage holes are not blocked.
• Lift pots up off the ground so the water goes straight through the soil (one of the only times we want this to happen) and don’t put a saucer under the pot as they can rot very easily.
• Understand if the variety is one that will tolerate full sun or does it require a part shaded position.
• Fertilise with controlled release fertiliser at the beginning of every season with PowerFeed Controlled Release Plant Food All Purpose including Natives. Or liquid feed with Seasol (20mL per 9 litres of water) and PowerFeed (20mL per 9 litres of water) every 2 to 4 weeks during spring, summer and autumn and once a month or so during winter.
• Always pot up with a specialist Cacti and Succulent potting mix.