January 15, 2021

Indoor Succulents Care for Beginners in Northeast Ohio

Best Plants for Beginner Gardeners

Succulents & Cacti

Succulents are some of the easiest plants to grow and enjoy indoors or outdoors or out. They make excellent plants for anyone from beginning gardeners to expert “green thumbs”. Succulent plants are known for their juicy leaves or stems where they store water and nutrients allowing them to withstand harsh, arid conditions.

Cacti are a popular, prickly part of the succulent family, identified by their cushioned growth points called areoles. This is where their infamous spines are produced! The many varieties, shapes, and colors of cacti provide a practically foolproof plant that grows well in hot, sunny containers, dry, rock garden beds, or on a warm windowsill indoors.

Place Plants Near Light

Succulent Light Requirements

The majority of succulents grow best in full, direct sun to bright or medium indirect light indoors (and out). The best place to grow succulents is in a south, west, or east facing window. Place near windows without curtains or obstructions, close to the window without touching the glass, and up to 5-6’ away. In lower light levels, succulents’ foliage colors and flowering may diminish. They might also become “leggy” or stretch towards light. If this occurs, consider placing them closer to a window, or under a grow light.

Care for Plants Indoors & Outside

Year-Round Succulent Care

Grow succulents throughout the year indoors in average household temperatures of 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold-hardy, perennial succulents such as Hens & Chicks, (Sempervivum tectorum), should be kept outdoors year-round in garden beds and containers, flourishing in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8, (-40 to 20 °F).  In Northeast Ohio, our plant hardiness zones vary due to the “lake effect”, so as long as the succulent is rated for USDA Zones 5b-6b, (-15 to 0 °F), they can be planted or protected outside for winter. Bring annual or tropical succulent varieties indoors after they are lightly frosted, once or twice, around the middle to the end of October.

Provide a Dry Environment

Succulent Watering Tips

There are many factors to consider when watering succulents. During the growing season in Northeast Ohio, (April to October), succulents’ soil can be thoroughly irrigated, but always remember to let the soil dry out completely before reapplying more water. In the winter months, water sparingly or not at all if the succulents are kept dormant, (50 to 55 °F).

Succulents grow well in dry, low humidity environments, and are one of the few plant families that can tolerate being situated near warm drafts and heater vents.

WHAT SUCCULENTS PREFER

Soil & Fertilizer

As far as soil needs, drainage is essential to being successful with succulents. By mimicking their native, sandy, gritty soil conditions, your succulents will continue to grow and be healthy. For potted succulents, use a Cactus Mix or a potting soil mixed with additional perlite for increased drainage. Many succulents grow wonderfully in open, desert type terrarium plantings as well. Repot succulents in the spring when their roots have fully filled their containers.

In nature, succulents grow in poor, low-nutrient soil. Therefore, they require little fertilization. Apply a Cactus food following the package directions, Osmocote® (pink cap) in spring that will last all growing season. As with all houseplants, it’s only recommend to fertilize during their active growing season (April-September).

Get Ready in the Spring

Succulent Propagation

Succulent propagation is also best performed in spring when the plants begin to actively grow.

For succulents that produce separate “baby” rosettes, or side shoots, such as Echeveria or Haworthia, these can be separated from the “mother” plant and immediately installed in a new pot with pre-moistened Cactus Mix.

Many succulents also propagate well from single leaves/scales or stems with open leaf nodes. Let these pieces air dry or cure for approximately a week to callus, then gently press, place, or plant in moist, well-drained Cactus soil in separate pots or next to the “mother” plant if there is room. Roots and new leaves will slowly, but surely develop.

Keep Pests Away

Prevent Succulent Insects and Diseases

Keep an insecticidal soap or Neem oil spray, and a systemic insect control on hand if any insect issues should arise.  They are best at controlling any insect issue that succulents may develop, including mealy bug, scale and aphids. Succulents rarely develop fungal diseases if grown and watered correctly.
Bromeliads
Echeveria

Varieties Available

Succulents & Cacti

A large selection of succulents are available year-round at all Petitti locations, including: Bromeliads, Jades, Kalanchoes , Echeveria, Gasteria (Ox Tongue), Haworthia (Zebra Cactus), & Sedum (Stonecrop), Aeonium (Tree Houseleek), Agave, Aloe, Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus), Cotyledon, Graptopetalum (Leatherpetal), Gymnocalycium (Chin Cactus), Rhipsalis (Mistletoe Cactus), Senecio (String of Pearls, Chalk Fingers), Schlumbergera (Christmas Cactus).

Available seasonally:  Schlumbergera (Christmas Cactus), Easter Cactus, and Rhipsalis (Mistletoe Cactus)

like a boss

bringing it all together

Regardless if you are a beginner, just discovering the myriad of plants that are “under the succulent umbrella”, or an avid plant-person looking to add something special to a succulent collection, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Download Our Care Guide

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