Growing Succulents Indoors Successfully

When it comes to making a design statement in your indoor garden, succulents are your answer. Their wide variety of colors, textures and forms add pizzazz to any room—especially when combined with eye-catching containers. And contrary to popular opinion, growing succulents indoors is a snap. “Succulents make wonderful houseplants.They’re tolerant of many conditions and easily thrive,” says indoor gardener Marianne Hugo, who designs and creates succulent arrangements and volunteers at the Coastkeeper Garden. “Succulents make a great room accent, as they come in a variety of colors and textures. Matching succulents with a beautiful pot is an easy and inexpensive way to add “wow” to a room.”

(All photos this page: Julie Bawden-Davis, HealthyHouseplants.com) So what’s all the fuss about succulents being difficult to grow indoors? “There is only one way to kill a succulent—too much water!” says Hugo. “Unlike other houseplants, you only need to water your succulents once or twice a month, depending on where the plant is located. And the best way to add moisture to your container is not to water, but to mist with a spray bottle of water. Mist lightly until water begins to drip off of the succulents.”

Check before watering succulents

Before you mist—check to see if it’s necessary, says Hugo. “Put your finger into the soil. If the soil is damp, you do not need to water. Too much water causes soggy succulents, fungus and fungus gnats, which will all lead to the demise of your plants.”

Indoor succulent lighting

Succulents do need light, either from a window or artificial light, says Hugo. “Make sure your succulents get at least 8 hours a day of filtered light. Avoid direct, hot sunlight through a window, as it will scorch the succulents and they will burn. Also give them an extra boost in the spring and summer months by placing them outdoors in filtered sunlight for two to three days each month. Growing succulents under lights also works well and is especially helpful during the winter months when the days are short. Opt for full-spectrum lights placed within 8-12 inches of the plants.

Indoor succulent temperatures

Succulents do not like extremes, so keep them away from hot and freezing conditions. Avoid growing succulents in conditions that are lower than 65 degrees Fahrenheit and higher than 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Trimming succulents growing indoors

Your succulent arrangement will last indefinitely indoors, but to keep them looking their best, once every four months Hugo advises trimming off “leggy” stems and shoots. “After letting the trimmed ends callous, replant the cuttings in other containers and you’ll soon have multiple plants,” she says.

Creating indoor succulent living arrangements

To pot up your own indoor succulent arrangement, Hugo offers these tips:

Choose a container that matches your home and adds flair to a room. “The container is just as important as the succulents,” says Hugo. “Since succulents need very little water, a drainage hole in the bottom of the pot is not necessary. This is wonderful, because you don’t have to worry about water damaging furniture and carpets.”

Select succulents based on the shape and style of the container. “I often take my container with me when picking out the succulents to go in it,” says Hugo, who advises remembering the container design adage: Thrill, Fill and Spill. “Choose one special plant to be the center of the arrangement and others to fill and spill down the sides of the container. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when buying succulents. Most nurseries have knowledgeable staff ready to help you choose the right plants for your arrangement.”

Plant your succulents in a soil mix labeled Palm and Cactus Mix. “Such a mix is aerated with perlite and sand, making the mix light and fluffy and perfect for succulents,” says Hugo. “After planting your succulents, wait about one week before misting. This will allow the succulents to settle in and any broken stems to callous over.”

Now that you know how easy growing succulents indoors is, start decorating your home today.