Succulent Garden: How to Set Up and Care

Have you ever thought about having a succulent garden at home? Succulents are plants that store water in their leaves, stems or roots, and adapt well to dry, low-light environments. They are ideal for those who want to have a little green at home, but don't have much time or space to take care of more demanding plants.

Key Takeaways

• A succulent garden is a great option for those who want to have plants at home, but don't have much time or space.
• Succulents are plants that store water in their fleshy parts, and adapt well to dry, low-light environments.
• To set up a succulent garden, you will need a container with drainage holes, suitable substrate, pebbles or gravel, and the plants of your choice.
• To care for your succulent garden, you should only water the plants when the substrate is dry, avoid excess direct sun, and prune or replant the plants when necessary.
• Succulents are very varied and beautiful plants, which can bring many benefits to your home, such as purifying the air, reducing stress and decorating the environment.

summary

• Succulent Garden: How to Set Up and Care
  • Key Takeaways
  • summary
  • Related Video
  • What are succulents?
  • Why have a succulent garden?
  • How to set up a succulent garden?
    • Choose the container
    • Prepare the substrate
    • Choose the plants
    • Set up your garden
  • How to take care of your succulent garden?
    • watering
    • Luminosity
    • Pruning and replanting

What are succulents?

Succulents are plants that have fleshy parts, where they store water to survive in adverse conditions. The term “succulent” is not a botanical classification, but rather a characteristic common to several plant families, such as cacti, agaves, aloes, echevérias, crassulas, among others.

Succulents can have different shapes, colors and sizes, from miniatures to giants. Some have flowers, thorns, hair or scents. They are much appreciated for their beauty and resistance, and can be grown in pots, planters, terrariums, living frames or vertical gardens.

Why have a succulent garden?

Having a succulent garden at home can bring many benefits, both for your health and for your decoration. Here are some reasons to have a succulent garden:

• Succulents are plants that purify the air, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. They can also filter some pollutants and toxins present in the environment, such as formaldehyde, benzene and xylene.
• Succulents are plants that reduce stress, as they provide a feeling of well-being and relaxation. They can also improve mood, concentration and productivity, as well as stimulate creativity and memory.
• Succulents are plants that decorate the environment, as they come in a wide variety of shapes, colors and textures. They can be used to create harmonious and original compositions, which match any decor style. They can also be used as gifts or souvenirs as they are easy to care for and last a long time.

How to set up a succulent garden?

To set up a garden succulents, you will need some basic materials, such as:

• A container with drainage holes, which can be a vase, a planter, a tray, a cup or any other object you have at home.
• A suitable substrate for succulents, which must be light, porous and well drained. You can use a mixture of topsoil, coarse sand and gravel, or buy a ready-made substrate specifically for cacti and succulents.
• Pebbles or gravel to cover the bottom of the container and help water drain.
• The plants of your preference, which should be chosen according to the size of the container, exposure to the sun and the combination of colors and shapes.

Choose the container

The first step in setting up your succulent garden is choosing the container where you will plant them. The container must have holes at the bottom to allow excess water from irrigation to escape. This is very important to prevent succulent roots from rotting.

You can use any type of container you have at home, as long as it has drainage holes. You can use ceramic, plastic or metal vases, wooden or fiber planters, glass or porcelain trays or dishes, old cups or mugs, recycled cans or bottles, among others.

The size of the container will depend on the quantity and size of the plants you want to place. You can make a garden with just one plant or with several different species. You can also make a garden with several smaller containers or a single larger container.

Prepare the substrate

The second step to setting up your succulent garden is preparing the substrate where you will plant them. The substrate must be light, porous and well drained, as succulents do not like soggy soil.

You can prepare your own substrate by mixing equal parts of topsoil (or common earth), coarse sand (or perlite) and gravel (or vermiculite). You can also buy a ready-made substrate specifically for cacti and succulents in specialized stores.

Before placing the substrate in the container, you must cover the bottom with a layer of pebbles or gravel. This will help with water drainage and prevent the substrate from coming out of the holes.