If you’ve ever grown one, you know what a habit they can become! This otherworldly type of plant with a vast range of species produces an amazing array of color and texture combinations that make you wonder how they landed on earth. Besides desktop Zen gardens and windowsill companions, succulents often make good ground cover outdoors and some species can grow quite large, given time. If you haven’t ever made friends with a potted succulent and are not quite sure where to start, or just love to read everything you possibly can on the subject because you have hundreds, read on!

What is that?
A succulent is characterized by its water storage capabilities, which lend to an abnormally fleshy type of texture. Succulents are, for the most part, shallow rooted plants with some producing rhizomes. They are generally very easy to propagate using a piece of an existing plant while some even shoot off chicks which can then be used to start a whole new plant. 

Types of succulents
Within this mysterious type of plants are some genera which are more popular for growing and collecting. Amongst the most common are Aeonium, Aloe, Cactus, Crassula, Echeveria, Sedum, and Sempervivum. The growth pattern and texture as well as some internal traits are what divide these plants among themselves. Each genus produces wonderfully unique variations of itself which are brought out and emphasized by pairing with others from another genus, hence the famous succulent bowls or terrariums you may be familiar with.

Caring for succulents
The most important part of a successful succulent-growing adventure is a loose, fast-draining soil mix. One of the quickest ways to bring your succulent garden to a halt is to expose them to standing water. Your soil mix would be favorable with a slightly acidic pH between 5.5 and 6. Soilless mediums that contain copious amounts of sand and perlite will allow for better performing plants. A mix with up to 75 percent perlite would be beneficial.
Succulents do like an occasional watering (once a week). Watering any plant is very subjective to the season and environment. Playing it safe and not overwatering is your best approach as succulents are more forgiving if left to dry out. The number one killer for most over-loving growers is overwatering. Fertilization with a balanced mild nutrient formula every few weeks is recommended. In the winter, allow the plants to rest and be dormant by fertilizing only a few times. It would be best to repot your succulents every year especially if you largely depend on amending your soil for nutrition. By covering the top of your pot with a layer of rocks it can prevent rotting around the base of the plant, not to mention adds a nice aesthetic touch to the arrangement.

Light the way
Light requirements will vary from genus to genus. Echeveria and Sempervivum will utilize as much light as you can give them. If they’re residing in a windowsill make sure it has plenty of sun. Some species do not like direct sun and other species will elongate, ruining their compact rosette if not enough light is being received. There are some species like Sedums and Crassula that will do OK in lower light situations. Research before planting is always necessary with anything and succulents are no exception, but one will find they are still more forgiving then others.

For fun and profit
There is a reason these far-out plants have made there way into a wide variety of stores: they sell! This paired with the fact that they, even in bulk, are such a low maintenance and easy-to-propagate plant attracts many professional growers to start offering them. Much like African violet growers, succulent growers are passionate. From my experience of being a collector I’ve clearly seen prices get ridiculous. Recently a two inch species sold for $5,000 on a well known auction site! The plant was raised from seed and truly was a one of a kind. But who would pay that much for something like that? Someone with intentions of propagating the plant for resale, I can only assume. Succulents are finding their way into things other than pots as people are incorporating them into flower bouquets, cake and even corsage designs for special occasions because they are intriguing, different, and full of variety. Some sellers have found that like flowers, people like it when they are dyed to extremes. This adds appeal especially around holidays. Who could turn down a bright, neon blue plant that looks just as easily like it came from a far away planet? Not me!