Succulents Indoors

Succulents are low-maintenance plants that make for a great splash of colour in any room of your house. Succulents indoors adapt well to your environment, making it easy to care for them.

Whether you want a small hens and chicks plant (sempervivum tectorum) or you have a corner spot for a tall snake plant (sanseveria), or something unusual, check out your local hardware or garden centre for more varieties to brighten up any spot.

Here are a few to get you thinking and what you need to know about indoor plant care for succulents.

• Jade plant (crassula ovata) also known as the money tree or lucky tree. This beautiful succulent features thick, woody stems topped by green, fleshy leaves with an oval shape.
• Echeveria have stunning rosette-shaped, plump leaves in a large range of colours that bear a striking resemblance to flowers.
• String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is named because of its pearl-shaped leaves. Give it a spot with plenty of light as it loves to hang around.
• Donkey tail (Sedum morganianum) burro’s tail, produces trailing stems up to 60 cm long, with fleshy blue-green leaves and terminal pink to red flowers in summer.
• Aloe vera is attractive, easy to care of succulent that is known for its healing properties for soothing burns. With leaves that can grow 30 to 40cms, this stemless plant has thick, greenish leaves that fan out from the central stem.

Growing Conditions

The basics of indoor succulent plant care starts with the right aspect and soil conditions.

Aspect While succulents come in both shade-loving and sun-loving varieties, the majority of succulents prefer six hours of natural light each day. This can come from direct light near a window or in a brightly lit room. More light is often necessary in cooler weather. Mother-in-law’s tongue (snake plant (sanseveria)) doesn’t mind low light conditions and will still thrive in a shady area of the room.

Soil Succulents prefer well-draining soil because of their shallow root systems. For indoor growing, use nutrient-rich potting mix designed for cacti and succulents in a pot with plenty of drainage holes.

Climate There are succulents for all climates and most will grow well.  Check plant tags for individual plant requirements.

General Care

Indoor plant care doesn’t call for the same rigorous routine as working with outdoor gardens. Since you don’t need to monitor for weeds, you can focus your efforts on feeding and watering your succulents.

Watering Becsides aspect (light) and soil, water is also the most important factor in caring for succulents indoors. Succulents are very drought tolerant, making it easier to keep up with a watering schedule. Though the amount of watering depends on your growing conditions and species of plant, a good rule of thumb is to let the soil dry out completely before you water it again. You can also look for signs of the stem or leaves starting to turn brown and wrinkle.

Your succulent will do better if it’s underwatered rather than overwatered. If the leaves on your plant turn black or become soft, squishy and translucent, it may be getting too much water.

Feeding Don’t forget about fertiliser when planning your indoor succulent plant care. A liquid or granular fertiliser can be used for optimal results. Apply granular PowerFeed Controlled Release Pots & Plants for Indoor & Outdoors once every season. It combines a premium mix of nutrients, seaweed, and microbes for all plants in pots. Supplement or apply a liquid fertiliser such as PowerFeed PRO SERIES Pots & Planters or PowerFeed All Purpose including Natives every 2 to 4 weeks from spring to autumn and less often in winter.

For a ready-to-use no mixing formula, apply PowerFeed Indoor & Potted Plants 1.25 Lt trigger spray to the soil. This easy-to-use liquid fertiliser and soil conditioner helps to improve your soil and feed your plants. Apply every 2 to 4 weeks during the growing season and monthly in winter if needed.

Transplanting A healthy succulent will grow until it gets too big for its pot. This can deplete the soil of nutrients. Transplanting is easy, and splitting the plants when you do creates more succulents to spread around your home or give away as gifts.

When the succulent outgrows the pot, you can separate pieces by gently digging up the root system. Move the other pieces into pots with the same type and level of potting soil that they came from. Wait a day or two before you water to allow the roots to settle.

Watch out Succulents are generally pest and problem free when grown indoors as long as their aspect (light), soil and moisture requirements are met. Check individual plant tags for more information.