When it comes to growing succulents, there are many misleading myths such as; “they need lots of sun and very little water, etc.” In this article, we will reveal the myths about growing succulents. We show you the reality behind some myths about growing succulents that will help you understand them better.
Contents
7 myths about growing succulents:
1. They need lots of sun to thrive
It’s a huge myth that succulents need full sun to grow and they can’t thrive in shade.
Just as not all plants are the same, not all succulents are. It’s true that most succulents need full sun to thrive, but many can grow in both sun and shade as well.
For them, indirect sunlight and several hours of morning sun are more than enough; for example, snake plant, aloe vera, and zebra cactus.
Advice:
Depending on the types of succulents, grow them in full sun or partial shade. For each, you will need to search the internet or ask your local nursery for the sun preference needed.
2. They need lots of water
This is another myth, succulents are extremely drought tolerant and do not require water for months, as they are native to desert areas they keep their supply in the beautiful leaves.
The frequency of irrigation depends on a few factors: the location of the plantation, the rooted plant and the climate.
If you grow your succulent in a sunny, windy area, it will often get thirsty. Likewise, your plant will need water more often if it is growing in a very hot climate.
Advice:
Make sure your succulent pots have drainage holes; otherwise, standing water will cause root rot.
3. They should only be grown in sand
Don’t assume that succulents should be grown in pure sand just because they can thrive in poor soil.
For growing succulents, a combination of soil and sand, especially coarse sand, is best. This improves the drainage capacity of the soil while being poor in nutrients.
On the other hand, a pure sand medium may not meet the nutrient needs of succulents.
Advice:
To grow thriving succulents, combine 3 parts regular potting soil, 2 parts coarse sand, and 1 part pumice.
4. Succulents are not edible
Many succulents are edible, and eating them can be very healthy!
Not all, but some succulents are edible. For example, many traditional tribes in Africa eat the cooked roots of Stapelia kwebensis. For example, other edible succulents are Nopal, Aloe vera and Pitahaya.
Advice:
Be sure to research information before you want to try a succulent, if you don’t know it, consider it inedible. You can get information from the crèche in your area or search for quality information on the internet.
5. Succulents cannot be grown in cold climates.
Hardy succulents can grow in cold regions of the world and may surprise you.
Some hardy succulents can tolerate freezing temperatures. For example, Echeveria and Sedum are cold hardy succulents, which can tolerate temperatures from 0 degrees and well below.
Advice:
Protect your succulents from frost and snow by covering them with clear nylon, or pot them indoors if the temperature is below -10 degrees C for several days in a row.
6. No succulent is poisonous
Sorry to burst your bubble, but there are poisonous succulents that can be harmful to your pets or children.
There are poisonous succulents like spurge, Chinese jade, which can harm your pets or children if they eat them.
While some succulents with thorns, such as crown of thorns, may hurt your pets or children.
Advice:
If you have pets or children in your home, be careful when choosing which succulents to grow or place them somewhere out of reach.
7. They need nutrient-rich soil
Succulents can also grow well in less fertile soil, so they don’t need to be fertilized often.
Succulents grow well in less nutritious soil because too many nutrients, especially nitrogen, make them brittle and can also burn their roots.
You don’t have to pay them very often and just use a weak liquid fertilizer with an 8-8-8 ratio.
Advice:
Outdoor succulents don’t need a lot of fertilizer, but if needed, you can use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring.
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