As long as you follow the above-mentioned instructions and are patient, you should be able to successfully grow your own succulents. Spring and summer is when succulents grow the most. I’m hoping that the self watering globe will keep things looking great even through the heat of the summer. Okay, back to outdoor succulents! 5) Easy on the fertilizer. So, in this post, I will focus on care for succulents in winter that are hardy and tender. Beyond that simple explanation, succulents really are hardy plants. Plant Succulents in Pumpkins for a Modern Fall Tablescape . 100+ Varieties. There are thousands of succulents, and within each group there are exceptions to every description. Those that have met that challenge by storing water in their tissues are called succulents. How might a plant store water? Lisa Hallett Taylor. This year we added in this self watering globe and that has made a huge difference with how well the plants are surviving. These succulents can be tiny and shrink away into the soil during dry seasons or huge and stand up like very large trees. Happy growing! Some of our favorites include Sempervivum heuffelii, which keep vibrant colors for Winter Interest.We also recommend the frost-hardy Sedum varieties, as they make for fantastic ground cover in almost all climates. While cacti are native to the Americas, other succulents turn up worldwide—in deserts and other dry areas. Some reproduce trying to carry the line on even if the first plant dies in the dry—some spurges that are a nuisance in Alberta do this, as of course do familiar scourges like crab grass and dandelion (though these have a semi-succulent strategy in having thick or joined root systems that can bounce back if the above-ground plant dies). These cold hardy varieties are quickly becoming my favorites, especially since it means I can have my own outdoor succulent garden, even in the snow! Again, these are succulents that were in other pots that didn’t do well, or some I’ve just neglected to plant in the last few months. Get around them all by choosing the right plants for your area, preparing soil for better drainage, and protecting some from hot mid-summer sun. First, it’s important to note that growing succulents from seeds is very different than growing other types of plants from seeds. Non-succulent plants that just dry out and struggle along until the next water include the ocotillo of the south-western U.S. deserts, bromeliads and air plants and the common house plant dracaena. In fact, cactus … Unfortunately, succulents are just as susceptible to bugs as are other house plants. They were kind enough to send me these three for free so that I could give them a try and share them with you. I’ve been working on a variety of arrangements using strictly cold hardy succulents so I can have a gorgeous outdoor succulent garden year round, even when there’s snow on the ground. Order online in bulk or come to our greenhouses located in Fenwick. Cacti thrive on light, heat, and excellent drainage. Pin Share Email Lisa Romerein / Getty Images. These precautions extend not only to the cold itself, but to other factors encountered in Eastern or Midwestern gardens, e.g., standing for long periods in wet soil. The right container is particularly important for outdoor succulents in the South and a well-prepared garden bed is necessary to keep rain off sensitive roots. Due to Vancouver Island's wet and cold winter weather we offer a full range of succulents and a few cacti that are cold and wet hardy. Hours Mon - Closed Tues - Closed (This feature makes many succulents easy to grow from cuttings.) When we think of succulents, most of us think of the desert variety that thrive in scorching sun and punishing hot temperatures.However, while all succulents do best with some light, a few can withstand partial shade. 1 / 14. jeep2499/Shutterstock. How to grow succulents. Not every succulent will grow equally well indoors or outdoors, thanks to their differing light needs. Consequently, you don’t want roots on newly planted succulents struggling with excessive water. There are other strategies for dealing with dryness, sometimes going with succulence, sometimes not. Usually, though, outdoor jade plants are kept trimmed to 2- to 4-foot (.60 to 1.2 m.) tall hedges or borders, or shaped into bonsai-like specimen or accent plants. We have over 60 varieties featured with more added each week! Written by. Since succulents are slow growing, they also work quite nicely in small glass terrariums or small ceramic pots with stratified sand to create a miniature desert effect. (The rubber tree is from a family of succulents, though it grows in rain forests and isn’t succulent itself.). Containers. You can’t even tell they’ve been removed! Growing Succulents outdoors in the cold climates is also possible, however, and, if certain precautions are taken, many kinds can live in the ground permanently. I don’t have very much natural light, so a lot of my plants struggle indoors. On the other hand, some succulents will need you to water them appropriately so that they grow healthy. ... Hypertufa is one of the fastest growing hobbies, particularly attracting succulent growers and alpine plant aficionados. It was fun to have her help. In their native settings, a succulent will typically grow in sandy, well-drained soil. Succulents are generally drought tolerant plants that have thick leaves where they store moisture. Succulents are easy to grow and readily available, making them ideal for summer pots. Hand Packaged. If you do put your plants outside, introduce them to the sun gradually—just like us, they can sunburn. Take a look at this post of the garden just a few months later to see how well it has grown! The fairy garden in the back has also been a fun project, and a few years in the making. We added the path between the two main patches because there was a section that didn’t survive. These definitely should be getting more sun, but most people won’t notice and they are still prolific despite less than ideal circumstances, so we’ll let them be. Watering For Indoor And Outdoor Succulents In Winters. Most succulents won’t survive the winter outside where I live (Zone 5). Succulents are perfect for busy gardeners who want to enjoy their outdoor spaces but can’t always devote much time to maintenance. Although succulent plants are very tolerant of dry conditions, they do need water, especially during the growing season. Thinking to add a striking collection of succulents to your garden? I’ve pulled off some of the Sedums below the bird bath and planted them in a variety of places. My mom added in the toad house (which we purchased from this Etsy seller), and put it up on some bark scraps to make it a little taller. Place your succulent garden in a bright light location. This is one of the biggest selling points of succulents! The main care is to treat succulents like cacti indoors. These Hardy Succulents do well in cold, snowy winters. Free Shipping Over $100! I’ll have a full project tutorial very soon, but it was really easy and looks amazing! When outdoors, however, succulents can be soaked by heavy rains. If you’re growing succulents outdoors you’ll want to read up on how much sunlight they need. An outdoor succulent garden isn’t just for warm climates! However, these kind of temperature hardly pose any threat to water-filled succulents. Succulents should be potted in a lightweight succulent soil mix that allows for ideal drainage. See what you can do in four season climates with succulents in the ground. Succulent garden design should consider the location, soil type, configuration, moisture level, and the types of plants. You don’t pay any extra but the commissions help us provide free information on the website. RELATED: 10 POPULAR SUCCULENTS TO GROW INDOORS . So succulent fanciers often put their plants outside for the summer (though in some summers they need some protection from extra rain and occasional cold). With that in mind, below are the types of succulents that will do well outdoors. For this reason, it's important to use pots with drainage holes. Succulents are a large family of plants that are known for their ability to store water. Connect. Get around them all by choosing the right plants for your area, preparing soil for better drainage, and protecting some from hot mid-summer sun. My favorite project of the year so far is the succulent chair. Hang the frame after roots get established. Indoors vs outdoors Many gardeners choose to grow succulents in pots in a conservatory or greenhouse, so they can be moved in and out as the seasons change, to avoid frost damage. While many of the succulents were provided to me at no cost, I absolutely love the succulents from Mountain Crest and would highly recommend them to anyone! This sap can be quite thick and full of latex so that when the plant is wounded, the sap develops a rubbery plug to hold in the water and avoid a hole that insects might use. Some succulents have prickles like cacti; others grow from broken pieces scattered by animals or wind, like many cacti. With that said, let’s take a look at how you can grow your own succulent garden from seeds. These varieties must come indoors before nighttime temperatures get below freezing. The idea is not only temping but also pretty easy to put into practice. What can I help you learn about next? Choose a sunny spot: Give your succulent lots of natural sunlight. Some succulents get so fat when they can that they develop rather obese-looking stems called caudexes, storing a very large amount of water that can last the plant through much dry time. If your succulent is growing a bit lanky, with a long stem and lots of space between leaves, then it’s probably not getting enough light and is “reaching” for the sun. While it’s pretty obvious, it’s a point that needs to be made: make sure you start with good-quality seeds from a reliable source. Welcome to Valley Succulents! They evolved to endure Mother Nature, and they thrive in such conditions. Through “convergent evolution,” many plants have developed similarly, even though they are unrelated. Some succulent fanciers water their plants hardly at all between November and March – only giving a little when the plants seem to look too parched. Be mindful of growing seasons. They grow and flower during the summer, while winter’s cooler weather encourages more pronounced colour in their leaves. If you observe mealybugs on your outdoor succulent, Hugo recommends removing the infested leaf or branch. Growing succulents outdoors As long as succulents are planted in well-draining soil and receive plenty of direct sunlight, they are sure to be low-maintenance, drought-tolerant outdoor plants . My book, Idiot’s Guide: Succulents is another great resource filled with valuable information on succulents, including their watering and light needs. How to Overwinter Succulents. Nearly all the plants listed above are strictly house plants in Alberta, at least in the winter. You can create all sorts of weird and wonderful planters – so much so that everything you see will begin to have potential as a place to grow more succulents. Growing jade plants outside does require some patience, as they are slow growers, but in time they can top out to 6-10 feet (1.8 to 3 m.) tall. This is a topic of debate amongst many succulent enthusiasts. The rock garden as you walk into the back yard was created with 3 of the Rock Garden Hardy Succulent 9 collections and 1 of the Sempervivum Hens and Chicks 5 collection. My sweet neighbor, Emma, had the great idea to use a variety of top dressings to create the paths. While this part of the garden isn’t my favorite to show off, I still wanted to include it here to show how well Sempervivums and Sedums can do in a variety of environments. Many plants have evolved to meet the challenge of scarce water. She split a few of the plants and placed them on opposite sides of the bird bath. So succulent fanciers often put their plants outside for the summer (though in some summers they need some protection from extra rain and occasional cold). Crassulas are among the most popular succulents to grow in gardens or containers both indoors and outdoors.. Light. Throughout this post you’ll find affiliate links to Mountain Crest Gardens to the various succulents I used for these projects. Find out how to choose, water, prune, winter, and grow your succulents, plus some creative ways to display them. You won’t find a better selection of cold hardy succulents anywhere. If the bugs have invaded the entire plant, it's best to get rid of the plant. Here are 14 ways to use them in your garden or outdoor space. Echeveria Topsy Turvy Succulent | Click here to purchase Keep in mind that many succulents do not need much water in winters since they are dormant during the season. While there are plenty of gorgeous succulent gardens in sunny southern California, it’s harder to come by outdoor succulent gardens in four season climates, like Utah.. But… Personally, I don’t grow any cacti outdoors—I certainly don’t have the right climate for it! Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you make a purchase through these links. Here’s how to overwinter succulents and keep them thriving all year long. I used all “leftover” succulents for it, so some don’t look super great, but the overall effect is stunning. The many uses of the amazing variety of succulents will amaze and delight you. See what you can do in four season climates with succulents in the ground. Get help identify your succulents and see which ones will grow well for you! Most require at least 6 hours of sunlight every day. If you’re having trouble identifying your plants even after reading through the post, you purchase a succulent ID service and I will be happy to help! Perfect for weddings and events and collections Under good conditions, look for flowers in the summer. Temperature. All rights reserved. Also, some succulents have irritating or downright poisonous sap, discouraging sucking insects. Hardy Succulents to Overwinter Outside. Succulents do best in bright light in very well-drained soil, as the roots are prone to rotting if they stay wet for too long. But, what if you’ve moved into a home that already has succulent arrangements planted? Recommended Winter Varieties. 1420 172 Street Surrey, BC V3Z 9M6. Growing Succulents Outdoors. The Best Low-Maintenance Succulents to Grow Outdoors. Here are 14 ways to use them in your garden or outdoor space. Maryellen Baker/Getty Images Pronunciation: a-OH-nee-um . We planted them at the beginning of May and it’s been relatively cool, so here’s hoping! She had so many great suggestions for planting! They are very well made and the colors are so fun! This little outline focuses on the non-cacti succulents. Note: some of the resources below may be affiliate links, meaning I get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase. He recommends applying an all-purpose 15-15-15 fertilizer within a couple of weeks after planting succulents in the … Succulents are one of the most fun plants to play with because they can grow in so many versatile places. It is our goal to raise an extensive selection of rare and unusual cacti and succulents and offer these to collectors and amateurs alike. Planting & Growing How to grow and care for indoor plants For people unable to garden outdoors, growing indoor plants allows them to indulge in a hobby that gives great pleasure. Okay, back to outdoor succulents! While there are plenty of gorgeous succulent gardens in sunny southern California, it’s harder to come by outdoor succulent gardens in four season climates, like Utah. There are three major considerations for growing succulents outdoors: Temperatures both winter and summer, amount and timing of natural rainfall, and duration and intensity of sunlight. However, succulents can also be grown outdoors all year where conditions – or dogged refusal to accept defeat – allow. Lots of homeowners choose to fill their gardens with them because there are plenty of ways to create some eye-catching decorations that will grab the attention of everyone! Growing Succulents Outdoors. The pots in this video are some of my favorite arrangements. A prominent one is a Sedum: “Autumn Joy.” This plant grows to half a metre high and has great clusters of flowers in the fall. The outside free-form stone wall houses the excellent collection of sempervivums, probably the largest public collection in Canada. Though succulents are largely house plants in Alberta, most do like a lot of sun, especially the ultraviolet rays they get only by being outdoors. Zone 9 is commonly known as a year-round planting zone. Welcome to Valley Succulents! Duplicate that footing for potted plants by blending your own soil mix – half potting soil, half sand. Succulents Canada has the largest sellecion of succulents in Canada. You just have to find the plants that will work for you. In fact, hardy succulents grow better outdoors than in! Summer time in zone 9 last around nine months with extreme high temperatures and dry weather. Growing Conditions for Crassula. Succulents should never be left to stand in trays or pots of water, and shouldn’t be watered if the soil is already damp – let it … Washing the plant in soapy water, or just water, or spraying with rubbing alcohol can help, but especially in Alberta’s dry winters, bugs are just a fact of life. Probably the best known is Sedum spectabile. Since they can thrive in crevasses and cracks, sandy or gritty soils, growing succulents outdoor is not a difficult plan even when you are a newbie or having a gray thumb. Sad to say, but very few succulents are hardy in Alberta. Because there’s less evaporation in the shade, your plant may go longer between waterings than usual. Those growing in tiny pots, though, may need watering as often as every other day. Sitting as a solitary stunner in a decorative container, the Agave Ovatifolia is an evergreen perennial that will melt the heart of even the most lethargic of gardeners. My mom purchased the fairy house (the one on the stump) from Amazon and you can get the same one by clicking here. Closed December 24th at 3pm Re-opening February 1st, 2021 Also common are Sempervivums: these “hen and chick” clusters of low plants put up long and extravagant flower stalks in the summer. There are native cacti in Alberta, especially in the southern badlands, but also all the way up to the Peace River country, which have adapted by letting themselves dry out in the cold weather. Play around with their gorgeous colour combinations and surreal shapes to create an exciting container. Buy Succulents Online at Canada's #1 Succulent Store. Succulent plants are native to arid regions and have adapted to living there by developing fleshy stems, leaves, and roots to store water. Read Also: Welcome to Sublime Succulents! But not all succulents will do very well inside my home either. So succulent fanciers often put their plants outside for the summer (though in some summers they need some protection from extra rain and occasional cold). 1 / 14. jeep2499/Shutterstock. Every succulent prefers sunny conditions to grow. “Without adequate fertilizer, succulents will yellow, stop growing, and lose their beautiful luster and foliage colors that we love them for,” says Jesch. Succulents are trendy, hardy plants that are resistant to droughts, making them one of the easiest plants to care for. Many succulents, including cacti, have developed such a fine-tuned response to dry conditions that if they are too wet (such as by a well meaning owner watering them too often), they rot away. I had quite a bit of help, some more helpful than others…. The plants are the same in each side, a hardy collection and a Heuffelii collection (a total of 18 per side), but are organized differently so they don’t look completely identical. This will ensure that you’re giving each plant the correct care. I love the way it has filled in since first planting, and it’s only been a month! Succulents don’t want to have their roots constantly wet, but they don’t like to dry out completely, either. Copyright 2013-2020 Succulents and Sunshine LLC. Growing Succulents Successfully; a few basic rules. They should be planted in pots that are not too large, maybe even seeming a bit smallish to you, so that they can dry out between watering, in sandy or gravelly soil that doesn’t hold water. Let’s grow some outdoor succulents @botanicalsmh On the right hand side near the rocks I planted a bunch of Sempervivum “scraps”. Succulents are typically thought of as a plant that thrives in warm temperature. With a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes—and renowned drought tolerance—these fleshy-leaved plants are growing in popularity. They are, however, slower to grow and need to be spaced precisely with other succulents to grow up and not out. Hence spines and prickles (which also can help cool the plant, further conserving water). After you’ve identified your succulents, you’ll be able to learn their individual watering needs. Succulents will soon perish if the soil they’re growing in is allowed to become soggy and waterlogged, so make sure the mix is free-draining and perhaps lift the container off the floor on pot feet to keep the drainage hole clear too. There are three major considerations for growing succulents outdoors: Temperatures both winter and summer, amount and timing of natural rainfall, and duration and intensity of sunlight. 14 Day Guarantee. 14 Tips for Planting Succulents Outdoors. However, some plants will only thrive in the direct sunlight available outdoors, while others grow well in the less direct sunlight available indoors. Now that you’re ready to fill those dark spaces with green, here are 20 tips and ideas for shade-loving succulents. And some sedums can be found growing in rocky areas near the mountains. You’ll see a lot of different succulent collections and products in the videos below but I wanted to make it easy to see all of them at once, so here is a list of the products I used to create these succulent landscapes: In the courtyard I used 2 of the Hardy 9 Sampler collection from Mountain Crest and 2 of the Sempervivum heuffelii 9 collection. Most varieties still need minimal water and well-draining soil. Well, just about any way of doing so has been adopted by some plants somewhere. We love it and are brushing up on our growing techniques with Cacti and Succulents Handbook: Basic Growing Techniques and a Directory of More Than 140 Common Species and Varieties by Smith Gideon F. Learn more and sign up today for your 2 free ebooks, here! They are, however, happy to go back outside when warm, sunny weather returns. When most people think about growing succulents, they picture sunny California. Another, often going with fat leaves, is to have a fat stem, trunk or branches. Almost all succulents will thrive in full-sun hot spots or in bright light, although it pays to check the plant label for best-growing conditions or aim to replicate the area from where the healthy-looking cutting was taken. If you’re putting more than one succulent in the pot, keep about a 1” distance between them. My kids love playing in the dirt and moving rocks around. If this doesn’t fit the surrounding flora, consider using your succulents as houseplants or moving them to a separate location. Should I grow succulents indoors or outdoors? Due to Vancouver Island's wet and cold winter weather we offer a full range of succulents and a few cacti that are cold and wet hardy.