The Spread

By Rachel King //

I have had bad luck in the past with growing plants. I water them too much, don’t water them enough, keep them in a shady spot — you name it, I’ve done it. But it’s so nice to have plants around, especially this month. What’s a person to do? If you want to welcome the spring season with some bright, inviting flowers but lack a green thumb like me, I have just the solution: succulents.

Succulents are perfect for people who are clueless when it comes to taking care of plants. Succulents are low maintenance, require few materials, and can be left alone for a long time, so you don’t have to worry about finding a plant sitter when you go on vacation. These characteristics make them ideal companions for a home, decor in an office, or even a gift to a friend. There are many different types of succulents, so plant owners are free to experiment with the vast selection to complement their living space.

Before you buy a succulent, you will need a few things to ensure your plant has a suitable home:

• Container with a hole at the bottom — a hole promotes drainage, which will prevent water from pooling at the bottom of the container
• Appropriate soil — make sure you purchase soil that succulents can safely thrive in
• Water — water is a vital ingredient for any plant
• Lots of sun — succulents require more sunlight than normal, so find a spot where the sun can shine in for hours on end

This may seem like a lot of materials for a low-maintenance plant, but when you buy succulents, you usually get two out of the four of these off the bat. Succulents tend to be sold already rooted in drainage-friendly pots, so all you need is to provide the water and sun. If you have these two key ingredients, you’re set.

Once you have your succulent, park it in front of a sunny window — or better yet, outside — and ensure it gets watered as often as it needs to. This amount varies based on plant type, but a good rule of thumb to follow is to water your plant only when the soil is completely dry. This could take two days or two weeks, so familiarize yourself with your succulent’s watering needs to prevent overwatering. Upon each watering, add water until it begins trickling through the drainage hole at the bottom of the container. This hole guarantees water does not pool at the bottom of the pot.

With these tips, you are on your way to becoming the best succulent parent out there! Do some research on which types are your favorite, and you can begin your very own succulent family.