Succulent Basic Care
General Care
Families: Crassulaceae, Asphodelaceae
Genera: Graptopetalum, Kalachoe, Echeveria, Pachyphytum, Sedum, Pachysedum, Psudosedum, Aeonium, Crassula, Haworthia, Cotyledon, Adromischus, Sempervivum.
Difficulty: Low
Description: Succulents are a fan favorite for beginners and advanced hobbyist alike! With so many families and Genera with identical care, there is no reason people love these low maintenance plants! They work well mixed together in bowls, tiered, or in standalone containers. It should be said, with my experience running a nursery, many people use succulents as a benchmark for the black thumb. This should not be the case. They need very bright light a low water requirement. They are easy to love to death. Learn how to care for them below!
Light: Bright light. The more the better. Can give additional color when exposed to direct sunlight. They may need to be adjusted to bright light.
Water: Very forgiving with drought. Water deeply only when the soil has fully dried. These plants can get root rot if watered too frequently. When watering the entire root ball of the plant should be wet.
Temperature: Ideal between 65-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid temperatures below 40 degrees. While some are more tolerant of cold and heat, it is best not to expose most to extreme temperatures.
Humidity: Ambient home humidity is fine for this plant. It will not be bothered by dry air.
Soil: A rich quick draining mix that doesn’t retain water too long is ideal. We use 2-parts coco coir, 1-part bark, 1-part coarse perlite, 1 part sand.
Nutrition: This plant should be fed with a balanced fertilizer at half recommended dose on a monthly basis from May to September.
Repotting: Only repot when the roots are coming out of drainage holes. Move up only 1 pot size when transplanting. This plant requires drainage holes in all planters. Do not fertilize for at least 2 weeks after transplanting. Water the plant in after transplant and immediately resume allowing to dry completely between waterings.
Toxicity: Varies between genera, see each genus description for details.
Aeonium
Aeonium
Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Aeonium
Common names: Dr. Suess Tree, Succulent Tree
Description: This genus is an uncommon and unique one. While the care is similar to others in the succulent group, the plant is in the shape of a tree! It still has the typical rosette growth pattern, but with a stalk that resembles a mature Dracaena. This plant is fairly fast growing and comes in beautiful purples, blacks, and of coarse greens.
Size: This genus gets up to 3 feet tall indoors, but in zones 10+ can be outside year round reaching almost 6 feet in height. The rosettes can get up to a foot wide on each of the branches.
Toxicity: These plants are non-toxic and non-poisonous to humans, dogs, and cats. There is misinformation that the poisons in this plant are lethal and cause convulsions. This is simply not true, and scientists say it is considered fully edible, although it tastes terrible.
Companion animals: This harmless plant can live in any arid terrarium. It may break or be fully eaten by large animals and herbivores. We think a leopard gecko or arid scorpion is the perfect choice!
Aloe
Aloe
Family: Asphodelaceae
Genus: Aloe
Common names: Aloe Vera
Description: This genus is a very common plant for landscaping, office plants, and for its medicinal purposes. The foliage is a large rosette patterned trunk that can become bushy when mature. It will make pups making the plant fuller over time. They have sharp ridges along the long leaves growing from the rosette. They have tall bloom spikes with incredibly vibrant colored bell-shaped flowers.
Size: This genus is varied in size but assume the plant will be a minimum of 2 feet tall and 4 feet wide. In zones 10+ they can be grown outdoors and be full size shrubs reaching heights of 6+ feet and 10+ feet in diameter.
Toxicity: This plant is well known for its medicinal properties on both skin and being eaten. There are many over the counter forms of this plant. HOWEVER, it is considered both toxic and poisonous for humans, dogs, and cats. With incorrect dosing and refining, this plant is lethal with a few grams of being ingested. Do not put near animals or children. If consumed, immediately contact poison control.
Companion animals: This is lethally toxic and poisonous. Do not put in animal cages or in reach of pets.
Echeveria
Echeveria
Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Echeveria
Common names: Topsy Turvy
Description: This genus has rosette patterns that are what most commonly come to mind when most people think of a succulent. There are many colors, but the main draw of this plant is how symmetrical and pretty the foliage is. It almost appears to be a flower itself. This genus does very well in mixed succulent trays.
Size: This genus is a fairly typical succulent for small trays with most species in the genus never reaching 12” in height or width.
Toxicity: Non-toxic and non-poisonous to humans, dogs, and cats. We do not recommend eating houseplants, however.
Companion animals: This plant does well in all arid terrariums. While a big Savannah Monitor might crush it, or a Bearded Dragon may eat it, there will be no harm to the animals. This plant is best suited for smaller species like banded geckos, leopard geckos, or for invertebrates.
Graptopetalum
Graptopetalum ‘Purple Haze’
Purple Haze
Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Graptopetalum
Species: Paraguayense x Superbum
Common name: Purple Haze
Cultivars: None
Difficulty: Low
Description: This succulent is a rosette patterned mid green with lavender hues. It is a hybrid plant that was man made by Steve Jankalski. With enough light will flower white flowers with red speckles.
Mature size: Up to 12", rosettes can spread so there is no determined width.
Light: Bright light. The more the better. Can give hues of lavender and red when exposed to direct sunlight.
Water: Very forgiving with drought. Water deeply only when the soil has fully dried. This plant can get root rot if watered too frequently.
Temperature: Ideal between 65-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid temperatures below 40 degrees.
Humidity: Ambient home humidity is fine for this plant. It will not be bothered by dry air.
Soil: A rich quick draining mix that doesn’t retain water too long is ideal. We use 2-parts coco coir, 1-part bark, 1 part coarse perlite, 1 part sand.
Nutrition: This plant should be fed with a balanced fertilizer at half recommended dose on a monthly basis. If using grow lights, fertilize year-round. If using only natural light, fertilize from May to September.
Repotting: Only repot when the roots are coming out of drainage holes. Move up only 1 pot size when transplanting. This plant requires drainage holes in all planters. Do not fertilize for at least 2 weeks after transplanting. Water the plant in after transplant and immediately resume allowing to dry completely between waterings.
Toxicity: Non-toxic, non-poisonous to humans, dogs, and cats. Although we never recommend allowing people or pets to eat houseplants
Native to: Man-made hybrid
Companion animals: Ghost Mantis, Jumping Spiders, and other small, arboreal invertebrates. Due to the leaves breaking off with very little pressure, this plant is not suitable for most reptile and amphibians.
Haworthia
Haworthia
Family: Asphodelaceae
Genus: Haworthia
Common names: The Plastic Plant, Zebra Cactus
Description: This genus is a plant that in recent years has gotten some unwanted popularity by big box stores. They have been seen spray painted. I try not to write my own stories or opinions, but I used to think they were fake! They look fake, they grow slowly, and require about the same care as a plastic plant. They should never be bought when painted, they will die, this removes the ability to photosynthesize. Onto actual description... They also grow in a rosette and resemble miniature Aloe plants. They have raised bumps that look and feel like plastic. They along with the Snake Plant are the 2 closest things in appearance and care you can get to a fake plant. This plant does well in mixed succulent trays.
Size: This genus is slow growing and gets between 3-6 inches tall and wide.
Toxicity: These plants are non-toxic and non-poisonous to humans, dogs, and cats. Although, we do not recommend having your pets or children eat this.
Companion animals: This harmless plant can live in any arid terrarium. It may be small but very sturdy. It can really take a beating. The only recommendation of what not to put it with is a large herbivore that will eat the entire plant in one bite, like a Tegu.
Hens and Chicks
Sempervivum
Hens and Chicks
Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Sempervivum
Common names: Hens and Chicks
Description: This common succulent is a trailing plant commonly used in landscaping as ground cover, particularly in the SW USA. It is the only genus in our care sheets for succulents that require being outdoors to get full dormancy in winter and overnight cool downs. This plant is native to the USA and does fine in most climates outdoors with little to no care. They get the name Hens and Chicks because they will grow one main florette and many offshoots that give the appearance of a mother hen and her many chicks. Mature plants flower with vibrant colors like pink on long stems that flower in the middle of summer.
Size: This genus is a fairly aggressive grower for a succulent. As ground cover it can easily go from a 4-inch pot to 3 feet diameter in a year. It will continue to spread as long as it physically can, and its needs are met.
Toxicity: Non-toxic and non-poisonous to humans, dogs, and cats. We do not recommend eating houseplants, however.
Companion animals: Due to the outdoor nature of this plant, we do not recommend it for any companion animals.
Crassula ovata - Jade Plant
Crassula
The Jade plants
Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Crassula
Common names: The Jade plant, Friendship plant, Lucky plant, Money plant
Description: This common succulent is a beautiful tree commonly used in bonsai for its beautiful foliage and forgiving nature. There are many varieties with different leaf shapes earning them common names such as Gollum ear, Hobbit ear, and more. The colors of this plant will intensify in brighter conditions.
Size: Thise genus are trees, and while slow growing can get considerable sizes up to 15 feet tall. It is popular for bonsai as it is slow growing, and many keep them alive for many decades while dwarfing them to maintain a reasonable size indoors.
Toxicity: Sap is lightly toxic and can cause light irritation on sensitive skins. Poisonous to dogs, cats, humans. The poison in the plant can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Typically, non-lethal. Consult your doctor or vet if consumed. They may not be familiar with the species, but they should be familiar with the family and genus.
Companion animals: Due to the toxicity profile, this plant is only recommended for small invertebrates. We use Jades in our Regale Jumping Spider and Feigning Death Beetle enclosures.
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe
Family: Crassulaeace
Genus: Kalanchoe
Common names: Window Thrill, Life Plant, Air Plant, Mother of Thousands.
Description: This genus is one of the few succulents grown primarily for flowers and not foliage. It flowers generously under the right circumstances in vivid colors. The variety we sell is hot pink. Don’t be fooled by what you see in a grocery store, this plant is a true succulent and needs to dry between watering and is not low light tolerant. It will only flower in very high light. It also has a very prolific nature and should not be used in mixed settings as it can overtake a succulent garden.
Size: This is fast growing genus and produces many babies. Some species get up to 3 feet tall and will spread indeterminately.
Toxicity: These plants are non-toxic to humans, dogs, and cats. This genus is lethally poisonous to all animals. It attacks the cardiovascular system and is considered a lethal pest for livestock in its native habitat of Southern Africa, and invasive home in Australia. If ingested immediate contact poison control.
Companion animals: This fast-spreading plant is lethal if ingested. It is not appropriate for any animal cages, even true carnivores. It is too lethal to be mixed intentionally with any species.