7 types of succulents and tips for growing the plant at home

With contact with nature increasingly difficult, many people feel the need to grow plants at home. The problem is often how to take care of them. And that’s where the popularity of succulents comes from. Check below the main types of succulents, in addition to the necessary care for the plant and beautiful photos to inspire your decoration:

what are succulents

Easy to care for, succulents tend to resist even the most lax owners, which isn’t to say that knowing more about how to grow them isn’t helpful in keeping them healthy – and alive – for even longer. But what exactly are succulents?

“The term succulents is popularly used. In the scientific world, it is unknown, with plants being divided into family, genus and species. But, in general, succulents are plants that have the ability to store water in their leaves”, explains Sara Seguitte, biologist and owner of Cultivarte, a gardening company specializing in small plants.

Below you will find more tips and information compiled with expert help.

types of succulents

If succulent is every plant that stores water in its leaves, and the cactus does that, can we say that the cactus is a succulent?

Yes, but not every succulent is a cactus. In fact, Cactaceae is just one of nine existing families, each of which can have up to 1600 different species. Check out the most common ones in Brazil below:

Echeveria or stone rose (Echeveria elegans)

It is one of the most beloved succulents, thanks to its shape, which resembles a flower. Its leaves are rounded, with a slight angulation at the tips. In addition to being very beautiful, this type of succulent is nice because it usually indicates when it needs more sun: when it starts to lose its original shape, becoming more elongated.

Ghost plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense)

Another succulent that resembles a flower, the ghost flower, as it is popularly known, has more elongated and pointed leaves. It is characterized by a purplish undertone that blends with its dull green tone. To see if it’s getting the right amount of sun, check to see if its leaves are getting a milky look. If the answer is yes, it’s time to move them to a place with more sunlight.

Pearl necklace (Senecio rowleyanus)

Perfect for those who like vertical gardens, these succulents got their popular name thanks to their long stems full of spherical leaves, which even resemble peas. If all goes well, this species of succulent still gains white flowers with a cinnamon scent during the spring.

Donkey’s tail (Sedum morganianum)

Native to Mexico, this is another option for hanging, thanks to its very long rods, which can reach a meter in length! Its tightly packed leaves have a grayish green tone and a curious shape, reminiscent of a comma. On top of that, small, reddish flowers can still grow in it, which gain special prominence in the green.

Zebra (Haworthia fasciata)

Originally from Africa, this succulent has a very peculiar look, with a rosette shape, and thick, fleshy, hard green leaves with streaks of white. Although they like a lot of sun, they also tolerate low temperatures well in winter, being a very resistant type for first-time gardeners.

Shrek’s Ear (Crassula ovata gollum)

To understand the popular name of this succulent, just look at it: does it look like the ear of the famous movie ogre? This is thanks to its tubular and compact leaves, which are great for giving height to vases or terrariums. Another advantage of this type of succulent is that they do not usually suffer from pests or diseases.

Sedum carnicolor

Another good option to add a little more height to the vase or terrarium, this species from Europe is quite resistant to extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold. As with many succulents, the greatest care with them should be in relation to excess water, which causes them to rot.

As already mentioned, these are just some of the many types of succulents that exist. But do not despair if you come across a species that has not been listed above. With small variations, succulents are cultivated and require very similar care to keep them alive and healthy.

how to plant succulents

Got a plant and don’t want to leave it isolated in a vase? Alternatively, you can plant it in a more charming spot, like a cup, or start building your terrarium, placing it next to other succulents. This also goes for when the succulent is too big for the pot it’s planted in. Check out the step-by-step guide below:

1. Choose a container with drainage holes for the water. As long as it is pierced, the options range from sardine cans to clay pots, depending on your style;
2. Prepare a special substrate for succulents with washed sand, fertilized earth and ground coconut fiber in proportions;
3. If the pot is large, place expanded clay on its bottom, before placing the substrate, to facilitate drainage;
4. Add the special substrate for succulents to the vase;
5. With the original succulent pot upside down, tap the bottom until it comes loose together with its clod (earth and roots);
6. Plant the succulent seedling in the new pot with substrate, taking care not to cover the leaves;
7. Tap the sides to accommodate the soil, ensuring its contact with the root of the plant;
8. Cover the soil with sand and white pebbles to decorate and prevent rapid evaporation of water.

If the objective is not to replant, but to propagate the succulent, use the same special substrate. In it, you must accommodate healthy leaves of the plant without burying them. Spray them with water once or twice a week, depending on the weather in your city, and you’re done. At about two months, you will have new succulent seedlings to repot in other pots.

How to care for succulents

They are, yes, easier to care for than most plants, but, according to Sara, “it is wrong to think that succulents don’t need specific care”. Among the most common mistakes, she cites the lack of sun and the presence of some pests. “The most common is the aphid, a small organism that sucks the sap from the plant, once identified it must be treated immediately, as it can spread to other plants”, warns the specialist.

See other tips to ensure the survival of the plants:

• Remember that succulents suffer more from excess than lack of water;
• Forget the rules spread out there. The only way to know for sure if your succulent needs more water is to feel the moisture in the substrate with your fingertips;
• “Ceramic pots usually need more frequent watering, while cachepots without holes need less, due to the drainage system”, says Sara;
• When watering, avoid wetting the leaves, so that they do not rot;
• Always remove excess water if it accumulates in the dish under the succulent’s vase;
• Succulents need sun, not just light. Try to leave them on the window or outside in the morning;
• Try to fertilize the pot from time to time. To do this, place NPK-type fertilizer on the ground or pebbles so that it releases its nutrients with watering;
• Always keep an eye on plants to identify possible pests before they spread;
• If you notice the presence of aphids or mealybugs, isolate the affected succulent and carefully remove the insects with a cotton swab dipped in Neem oil. Spray the product on the plant with each watering until the problem disappears.

Finally, remember that story about talking to plants? According to Sara, every plant communicates with us in some way to inform about its well-being. Therefore, be aware of any color change in the leaves, loss of shape, etc. These are signs that something is wrong with your succulent.

30 photos of succulents to inspire you to have a terrarium

Now that you know how to replant and care for succulents, how about starting your terrarium? In addition to being a relaxing process, the result is super beautiful and can even become a gift for family and friends! The ideas below are here to help you in this endeavor:

1. Since we’re talking about gifts, a creative vase makes all the difference

2. Imagination and permanent pen are enough to repaint a clay vase

3. Another good example is this sleepy vase

4. Who said a good old clay cup isn’t cool either?

5. For a more modern look, plant your succulents in concrete pots

6. Combine terror and succulents? Only if it’s with an Edgar Allan Poe vase

7. For those who like to sing to plants, David Bowie is another good match

8. Just like a woman who, like succulents, is an example of strength and endurance

9. This one came to prove that, even outside the vase, succulents are beautiful

10. Even more so when they are in a group

11. If you want to keep them on a shelf, remember to put them in the sun.

12. Succulents really like to get a tan

13. Therefore, there are those who already leave them in the external area

14. And look at how some species even get a little color

15. For those who like patterns, terrariums with the same succulent species are a full plate

16. Even more fun when they come in different sizes

17. Although, of course, solitary succulents are also pure charm

18. Even more if they are in a romantic vase with colored stones

19. The cool thing about succulents is that they can be planted almost anywhere

20. As an example, cups and bowls are a great option

21. And since the topic is kitchen utensils, how about a copper pot?

22. For the nostalgic, this terrarium resembles a mirrored globe from the “Disco Era”

23. This inspiration here is for the trendy ones, with succulents in 3D printed pots

24. As for the vertical gardens, few species surpass the donkey’s tail

25. Anyone who likes succulents has seen terrariums in aquarium-like containers

26. You can even make poetic arrangements with them

27. These terrariums inspired by The Little Prince are another example of this

28. Even without intervention, some terrariums look like arid landscapes in miniature

29. Especially when succulents are from the cactus family

30. Is it so succulent that you don’t know where to start? Calm…

In addition to being easy to plant and care for, another advantage of succulents is that they are very affordable and propagate easily. That is, what are you waiting for to start your terrarium?