You’ll soon learn (or already have learned) that I have several areas of obsessions when it comes to plants. The one I’m going to write about today is succulents! They’re definitely in my top 3 when it comes to favorites, and I’m going to tell you why I think you should love them too.
What are succulents? Succulents are a type of plant that usually have thickened or more fleshy leaves and/or stems to help retain water, as they are mainly found in desert-like, arid, dry climates. Cacti are usually considered to be part of this group as well; botanists and horticulturists like to get technical when it comes to the term, but for a hobbyist like myself, it doesn’t much matter. They generally grow in similar climates and require similar care. So here are 7 reasons to love succulents!
1. Variety
Out of all the plants I’ve seen in my life, succulents by far have the widest variety of every characteristic you can think of. I’m always finding different ones to add to my collection!
They literally come in about any color – and the best part is they can even change colors in different temperatures and lighting. They come in endless shapes and forms – rosettes, columns, paddles, strings, and mounds. They can be smooth, fuzzy, spiny, sand papery (I’m making that a word), have caruncles (that is a real word), and powdery.
Echeveria Doris Taylor 
paddle plant 
String of Tears 
Echeveria Raindrops 
Burros Tail 
Aloe 
Agave 
Jellybeans
2. Easy-Peasy
Succulents are classically thought of as low-maintenance plants – which they certainly can be with proper conditions.. There are some types that definitely thrive on neglect and minimal care. I personally think haworthias and gasterias fit the “easy care” bill. They can do well in a bright windowsill with intermittent watering. I feel they’re good “starter” succulents.
Mixture of haworthias and gasterias
3. Challenging
Even though they are low-maintenance plants, they do require some key elements. Porous, fast-draining soil is a must. Terra cotta pots let the roots and soil “breath”, and I’ve had more success with that material vs. plastic or ceramic (although I do use that material as well). They do actually need to be watered – and for most it’s better to water deeply less often rather than water lightly more often. There are even some that have specific seasonal watering schedules. Certainly there are more challenging types than others, which I like because it keeps things interesting.
Fenestraria rhopalophyllai ‘Baby Toes’
pleiospilos nelii
4. Propagation
One of my favorite things about succulents is the ability to propagate them! I love making additional plants from original plants, which is essentially what propagation is. On some plants, you can remove a leaf, lay it on soil, and that leaf will grow a new plant. Most you can “take cuttings” of, which is removing a portion of the original plant and with time, it will produce roots and become its own independent plant. “Beheading” or “topping” is another form of propagation, where the top of the original plant is removed (and can be independently rooted), and the stem of the original plant is left and potentially produces new plants at each leaf node. At any rate, there’s lots of ways to multiply your collection!
leaf babies 
“Topped” Cubic Frost echeveria
5. Display Options
Since succulents can survive in minimal soil with minimal watering, the ways you can plant them up and display them are nearly endless. If you do a Pinterest search for succulent displays, you’ll get the idea! Some of my favorites are driftwood, wreaths, rusty buckets, and pallet planters.
pallet planter with portulaca 
arrangment in galvanized wash tub
6. Year-Round Enjoyment
Believe it or not there are succulents, including cacti, that can survive below freezing temperatures. Many varieties of sedum, sempervivum (often called hens and chicks), and prickly pear cactus return year after year. So even if you live in an area where winters can be brutal, and you don’t want to have to bring tender succulents indoors, you have the option of owning succulents!
sedum and sempervivum 
sunsparkler sedum 
painted lady butterfly on flowering sedum
7. BE-A-UTIFUL!
One of the final and most obvious reasons for loving succulents is that they are straight up gorgeous and beautiful to look at! I’m always blown away by their perfection. I’ll let some of the photos of my collection speak for themselves.
Stay tuned for more succulent care tips!
Kari, Do you use plant fertilizer on your succulents? I do on my house plants. I took a shoot from a succulent that my daughter has and planted it and it is very slowly dying. Any advice?
Hi Renell! Yes, I do use fertilizer on my succulents occasionally. I either use a succulent/cactus specific liquid fertilizer, or dilute your standard houseplant fertilizer to 25-50%. It’s hard to say why your succulent is struggling. I’ll send you an email and if you’d like to send me a picture I’d be happy to try and help!