Indoor vs Outdoor Succulents
Succulents are some of the most beautiful and interesting plants in the world and can be grown both indoors and outdoors. If you’re just starting to research succulents, it can be difficult to know the ideal growing conditions for each succulent, how to care for them and other important factors. If you’re struggling to figure out where to put your first succulents, here are a few things for you to consider.
Indoor Succulents
Adding plants to your indoor décor can provide a natural feel, increased oxygen, and generally make the area look amazing. When you add succulents specifically, it can create a very interesting look to any area.
One of the factors to consider about growing succulents indoors is that the temperature is steadier. Depending on where you live, you may have wild temperature swings from one week to the next. Indoors, the succulents don’t have to deal with temperature swings as often, other than a few degree change every day. This provides a steady growing environment for the succulents that they can get used to.
Another thing to think about is the variance of sunlight on the succulents. Succulents really do well in direct sunlight or partially shaded areas. If you put your succulents in an area where they can’t get sunlight, they won’t grow as well as those that do.
How often you water the succulents is also a factor when growing them indoors. In an indoor environment, there’s not as much air flow as when a plant is growing outdoors. This means that the water around the plant will not dry out as fast as it does outside. If you’re used to growing succulents outside, you’ll need to adjust your watering schedule down so that you don’t drown the plant. Watering succulents too often can lead to mold, rot, and pests.
One of the amazing things about succulents is that they are inclined to survive in almost any circumstances. So even if you don’t do an optimal job of taking care of them, there’s still a good chance that they’ll survive. For those of us that don’t have “green thumbs” these are the ideal plants to try to grow indoors.
Outdoor Succulents
Although you can grow them inside, these plants are really well suited for growing outside. This is their natural environment and there’s a great chance they’ll thrive out there. If possible, try to position them in direct sunlight or in an area where they will be in sunlight for several hours per day.
When your succulents are outdoors, you’ll be able to water them a little more frequently because of the increased air flow. If you’re in a higher temperature area, the water will dry out even faster. One thing to think about with this is the soil that your plants are in. If it’s a soil that retains moisture well, then adjust your watering frequency down. If you’re in a desert climate and the soil is rocky and sandy, then you can water more frequently. If you get a decent amount of rain, you may not need to water them at all.
If you’re trying to grow succulents in an area that gets a lot of rain, like in a tropical climate, you may have to try to keep them out of the rain. If they get too much water, then they won’t grow as well as they could.
When growing succulents in an area where it gets cold in the winter, you’ll most likely need to bring them in for the winter. Succulents don’t do well in very cold temperatures. While they may survive, it’s best if you can bring them inside for the winter.
Regardless of which succulent you choose and what environment you’re thinking about placing them in, do some research on the specific species you’re considering. Find out what the ideal growing conditions are for that type of plant and then adjust your plans accordingly. The good news is that succulents are extremely flexible and tough, so they’ll probably be good with whatever you decide to try.
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