3. Plan the succulent
After selecting your pot and soil, it’s time to plant. “Succulents are relatively straightforward as far as planting goes,” Hancock says. However, these plants are often “fleshy and brittle, so you may need to take a little extra care to avoid breakage issues.” Fill the pot with your soil then gently place the succulent in it. “The root systems on many succulents are a lot smaller than some people expect, so you shouldn’t necessarily be surprised or alarmed if a succulent looks healthy and you pop it out of the pot but don’t see a ton of roots,” Hancock adds. Once you have the plant in the pot, gently top it off with soil.
How to care for succulents
Once you’ve got your succulents planted, care for them properly by following the below tips.
1. Make sure your succulents get enough light
Succulents love light and need about six hours of sun per day, depending on the type of succulent. Though most varieties of succulents will not survive with full shade, they also don’t need to be blasted with hot rays all day, so a sheer curtain can help ensure they get some shade too. Newly planted succulents, in particular, can scorch in direct sunlight, so you may need to gradually introduce them to full sun exposure while providing shade and low light with a sheer curtain.
2. Rotate succulents frequently
While most succulents love direct sun, if yours is sitting in the same exact spot day after day, it’s likely that only one side is getting enough light. Caro and Rose suggest rotating the plant often. Succulents will lean towards the sun, so rotating them will also help them stand up straight. (Leaning may also be a sign that they need to be in a sunnier spot.)
3. Water according to the season
Just like humans, succulents need more energy when they’re in a period of growth. During the spring and summer, the plants are thriving and drinking up much more water than when they’re resting in the fall and winter. Caro and Rose recommend testing the soil with a finger—when the top 1.25 inches are dry, grab your watering can. Over-watering can kill your succulent, so make sure you let the soil dry between waterings.
