How to Care for Succulents: A Complete Guide for Beginners & Experts

Filling your home or office with plants is the dream, but it’s not always easy to keep them alive and thriving. The perfect answer? Succulents.

Ideal for those of us who weren’t blessed with a green thumb, succulents are a low-maintenance yet beautiful choice to add a touch of greenery to any space.

Not sure how to care for succulents? This guide covers everything from the different types of succulents available to the best practices for watering, sunlight, and soil to help them thrive.

Once you’ve finished here, you’ll be ready to stock up on succulent plants for your home or office.

What Are Succulents? Understanding These Hardy Plants

Succulents are resilient plants that have adapted to thrive in hot and dry conditions. They store water in their thick, fleshy leaves, which means that they don’t need to be watered as often as typical houseplants––ideal for anyone who occasionally (or frequently) forgets to do so!

Succulents are often grouped with cacti. But while all cacti are succulents, not all succulents are cacti… like the plant version “all squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares.” So, what’s the difference between a succulent and a cactus? Cacti are specific types of succulents that sprout spikes or flowers out of tiny bumps called areoles.

One of our favorite features of succulents? They don’t grow too large, making them ideal for desks, windowsills, or shelves. There’s a reason that these plants are often given as a housewarming gift!

Types of Succulents: Popular Succulent Varieties

Succulents come in all shapes and sizes, so let’s look more closely at some of the more popular kinds of succulents.

• Echeveria – Distinguished by their rosette shape and pastel-colored hues, they are the unofficial poster child of the succulent world. Chances are, if you picture a succulent, you’re thinking of an echeveria.
• Jade Plant – With thick, oval leaves and a reputation for bringing good luck, jade plants are a classic succulent choice. Legend says that having one close to your front door will ensure there's a flow of money into your home.
• Aloe Vera – This succulent’s long, spiky leaves are filled with a soothing gel that is a natural remedy for burns and skin irritations.

Best Hanging Succulents For Home Decor

Hanging succulents are the perfect way to add greenery to small spaces or boring walls. Position them to trail elegantly from shelves, hang in macramé holders, or spill from window boxes.

• Ceropegia – Also known as a String of Hearts plant, it sprouts leaves on long, slender vines that can be strung up along walls, or left to cascade as it grows.
• String of Pearls – With distinctive, round leaves that look like beads, these plants require very infrequent watering.
• Fishhooks Senecio – This plant with curved, fishhook-like leaves is low-maintenance and grows quickly, so you won’t be waiting long before it becomes a statement home decor piece.

Need more inspiration? Check out our indoor plants for more houseplant options that bring life and style to your home! Or, keep reading to learn how to take care of succulents.

How to Care for a Succulent: The Essentials

Now let’s get to the nitty-gritty of caring for succulent plants.

The minimalists of the plant world, succulents thrive on a “less is more” approach, so if you can remember to (mostly) leave them alone, you’re already halfway there! Want to know how to take care of succulents? As a rule of thumb, keep the following succulent care tips in mind:

• Light: Succulents love bright, indirect sunlight (like a windowsill). If their leaves start stretching out or losing color, they’re likely craving more light.
• Temperature: Just like humans, they thrive in mild temperatures from 60°F to 80°F (15°C to 27°C). Keep them away from drafty windows in winter.
• Air Circulation: Good airflow helps prevent mold and pests so avoid crowding them too closely together.
• Humidity: Avoid bathrooms or other humid spots as too much moisture can lead to rot.

Do Succulents Need Sun? Understanding Light Requirements

While succulents love the sun, they can get sunburnt if there’s too much of it! Most succulents need at least 4 to 6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight daily.

For indoor succulents, a south or east-facing window is ideal. Outdoors, aim for morning sun and afternoon shade, especially if you live in a warmer climate.

With too much sun, leaves can scorch, appearing brown, crispy, or bleached. If succulents get too little sun, they’ll become pale and stretch out toward the light, losing their compact shape.

How Often to Water a Succulent: The Right Way to Water

Overwatering is the number one killer of succulents; these plants are built to survive drought, not constant moisture! That’s why watering succulents is a delicate balancing act.

Water them only when the soil is completely dry, usually every two to three weeks, and less frequently in winter. Pour water directly onto the soil until it runs out of the drainage holes (yep, those are important—more on that soon!).

Overwatering your plants can drown them, leading to mushy, translucent, or yellowing leaves. Signs of underwatering include wrinkled, shriveled, or brittle leaves.

Soil for Succulent Plants: Choosing the Right Mix

Succulents aren’t like regular plants, so using a regular potting mix for your succulents doesn’t make sense. These plants need fast-draining, gritty soil to prevent soggy roots. Look for cactus or succulent-specific potting mix, or make your own.

To make a DIY soil for succulent plants, combine 2 parts potting soil, 1 part coarse sand, and 1 part perlite or pumice for a loose, airy mix that drains quickly.

How to Plant Succulents & Help Them Thrive

Not sure how to grow succulents? Drainage holes are a MUST! Succulents need pots with holes to prevent water from pooling at the bottom, which can lead to root rot.

If you’ve found the perfect pot for your plant but it has no holes, place the succulent in a plastic nursery pot with holes inside the decorative one and remove it when watering.

Replanting and Propagating Succulents

When roots start poking out of drainage holes or the plant becomes top-heavy, it’s time for some seriously succulent care. Replant it in a larger pot using fresh, well-draining soil. Be sure to handle the roots gently too.

Keen to propagate? Snip off a healthy leaf, let it “callus” (dry out) for a few days and then place it on top of slightly moist soil. Before long, you'll see tiny roots forming, and you can plant it and watch it grow.

Do succulents need fertilizer?

Succulents are hardy, but with a little extra TLC, they can go from “just surviving” to thriving. While fertilizer isn’t essential for growth, they do appreciate a small amount now and then. Use a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer during the growing season (spring and summer). Skip the fertilizer in fall and winter when they’re resting.

What’s wrong with my succulent?

Succulent plant care isn’t difficult, but you might encounter a few hiccups when you first become a plant parent. Some common problems include:

• Leggy growth or stretched leaves mean it’s not getting enough sunlight! Move your succulent to a brighter spot and trim leggy stems if necessary.
• Yellowing leaves come from overwatering or poor drainage. Check your soil and watering routine, and ensure your pot has drainage holes.
• Leaves falling off is a classic sign that your plant isn’t getting the right care. Make sure you’re only watering when completely dry, and keeping temperatures from getting too high or low.
• Brown sections caused by physical damage. Though succulents are hardy, they’re still prone to damage, so keep them out of harm’s way.

Decorating with Succulents: Creative Display Ideas

Now you know how to take care of succulents, you can have fun with it! They aren’t just plants, they’re living décor! Here’s how to style them to add personality to your space:

Hanging Succulents

Use trailing varieties like String of Pearls or String of Hearts in macramé hangers or wall planters to add greenery to blank walls with a boho vibe. Once the vines are long enough, they can be strung over shelves or draped from the ceiling with small hooks.

Creative Arrangements

Mix and match different kinds of succulents with various colors, shapes, and textures for eye-catching displays. Plant them in teacups, thrifted vintage pots, or driftwood for unique, conversation-starting décor. For a modern look, group several mini succulents in a shallow bowl that can be a coffee table centerpiece.

They look great on their own or paired with other houseplants. Check out our green plants for more inspo!

Best Succulent Plants for Beginners

Starting from scratch? These are the easiest succulents to care for, perfect for new plant parents dipping their toes in the world of succulents.

• Burro’s tail – Named for its trailing stems which resemble a donkey’s tail, this plant thrives best when left alone. They love bright (but indirect) sunlight and only need watering when the soil is completely dry.
• Hens-and-Chicks – These plants consist of a central plant (the hen) and smaller, identical plants surrounding it (the chicks). They do best when placed on a windowsill, and are easy to propagate when you want to expand your collection.
• Snake Plant – With a reputation of being (nearly) indestructible, these classic succulents are an excellent choice for your first plant. Their thick pointy leaves grow straight up and reach about three feet tall.

Succulents are resilient, stylish, and surprisingly forgiving. Just remember, they're desert plants at heart. Give them a bit of sun, a drink now and then, and some space to breathe, and they’ll thrive for years! The more you look after them, the more your confidence will grow. You’ll be collecting a range of unique houseplants before you know it.

Enjoying the Beauty of Succulents

Succulents are more than just plants. They're low-maintenance, living art pieces that add character to any space. With the right balance of sunlight, proper watering, and fast-draining soil, these resilient plants can thrive for years. Whether you're looking to brighten up your home, start a new hobby, or find a thoughtful gift, succulents are always a great choice.

From cascading beauties in hanging planters to bold rosettes that will have pride of place on your sill, there's a succulent for every corner of your home.