From my perspective as a succulent, the single most important factor for my health is sunlight. I crave abundant, bright light to fuel my growth and maintain my vibrant colors. Please place me in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of indirect or direct sunlight daily. A south or east-facing location is often ideal. However, be mindful of the intense, scorching afternoon sun in hotter southern US zones (like 9-11), as it can cause sunburn on my leaves, leaving permanent scars. A location with some afternoon dappled shade would be perfect. Also, protect me from harsh, drying winds which can dehydrate me faster than my roots can drink.
My greatest fear is wet feet. My roots are not designed to sit in moisture; they will quickly rot, and I will perish. Therefore, I require a home with exceptional drainage. Do not plant me in dense, water-retentive garden soil. Instead, please pot me in a specialized succulent or cactus mix. For an even better environment, amend this store-bought mix with extra perlite or coarse sand (like poultry grit) at a 50:50 ratio. If planting me directly in the ground, I insist on a raised bed or a mound amended heavily with pumice or gravel to ensure water flows away from my crown and roots with haste.
I practice water storage in my leaves, stems, and roots, making me exceptionally drought-tolerant. My watering needs are simple: deep but infrequent drinks. Please water me only when the soil is completely dry. To check, stick your finger an inch or two into the soil—if it feels dry, it's time. When you do water, soak the soil thoroughly until water runs freely from the drainage holes, then allow all excess water to drain away completely. Never let me sit in a saucer of water. In winter, when I am dormant, I need even less water, sometimes going a month or more between drinks, especially if there is rainfall.
My ability to thrive outdoors in the US depends heavily on your USDA Hardiness Zone. While some hardy varieties like Sempervivum and certain Sedum can survive freezing winters down to zone 4 or 5, most of my tender cousins (like Echeveria and Aloe) will only tolerate year-round outdoor life in zones 9 and above. If you experience frost or snow, you must either bring me inside before the first freeze or provide me with protective coverings like frost cloth. In the summer, the heat is generally welcome, but intense heat waves may require a slight increase in watering frequency and some protection from the most intense midday sun.
I am not a heavy feeder. Native to often nutrient-poor soils, I thrive on neglect in this department. However, a light feeding during my active growing season (spring and summer) can encourage stronger growth and blooming. Please use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half or quarter strength, applied only once at the beginning of the season. Furthermore, if I outgrow my container, please repot me into a slightly larger one with fresh, well-draining soil. This gives my roots room to expand and access to new nutrients, preventing me from becoming root-bound and stunted.
