Hello. We are the plants you call 'succulents'. To thrive in your outdoor gardens across the diverse climates of the U.S., we require you to understand our fundamental nature. We have evolved to store water in our leaves, stems, and roots, which dictates all of our needs. Here is what we wish you to know, from our perspective.
Light is our life, but its intensity varies. In the harsh, native deserts many of us hail from, we are accustomed to intense, full-day sun. However, for those of you in regions with powerful afternoon sun (like the Southwest), some of us, particularly soft-leaved varieties, may appreciate light afternoon shade to prevent our skin from scorching. Conversely, if you live in a northern state with weaker sun, we will demand the sunniest, most exposed spot in your garden to avoid becoming stretched and pale (a condition you call etiolation). Please observe our color; if we are turning brown or white, we are getting too much light.
Our greatest fear is wet feet. Constantly damp soil will cause our roots to rot, a fatal condition we cannot recover from. You must plant us in a specialized, gritty mix that mimics our native terrain. This soil is not rich and loamy; it is stark and inorganic. Amend garden soil heavily with perlite, pumice, or coarse sand to ensure water flows through it instantly. The pot or planting bed must have an escape route for excess water. A hole at the bottom is not a suggestion; it is an absolute requirement for our survival.
Please unlearn everything you know about watering other plants. Do not give us frequent sips. When you do water, mimic a desert thunderstorm: soak the soil completely until water runs freely from the drainage holes. Then, you must wait. Wait until the soil is bone-dry throughout, and then wait a few days more. In our dormant periods (usually extreme heat of summer or cold of winter for many species), we need even longer droughts. Touch our leaves; if they feel plump and firm, we are still full of water and do not need a drink.
We are often divided into two groups: hardy and soft. Hardy varieties like Sempervivum and some Sedum can withstand deep freezes and snow, going dormant until spring. Soft succulents, such as Echeveria, will turn to mush at the first frost. You must know which of us you have. For those of us not bred for the cold, you must bring us indoors before the first frost arrives. Even for the hardy ones, a sudden plunge in temperature is less dangerous than a cold, wet soil, which is why your excellent drainage is so critical.
We are not heavy feeders. We are adapted to survive in nutrient-poor soils. Feeding us too much, especially with high-nitrogen fertilizers, will cause us to grow weak, bloated, and pale. It makes us vulnerable to pests and disease. If you feel you must feed us, a highly diluted, balanced fertilizer or one specifically formulated for us, applied only once at the very beginning of our active growing season (typically spring), is more than sufficient.
