If you’re looking for a low-maintenance touch of greenery for your home, succulents are a great option. These eye-catching plants are great for small spaces too.

They are adaptable to dry environments thanks to their fleshy leaves, stems, and roots that allow the plant to accumulate water. Compared to some plants that are sensitive to dry air, succulents are more forgiving.

Here’s how to grow succulents indoors.

How much sunlight do succulents need?

Succulents thrive in a sunny location. Place in an area with a minimum of five hours of bright, indirect sunlight - south or east-facing window is ideal. If you notice your plants becoming leggy or stretching, it is a sign of the plant not receiving enough light. If this is an issue, consider buying a grow light.

Use a proper container and soil

Always use sandy, well-drained soil. Many garden centres offer soil mixes specifically for succulents and cacti. Choosing this option will help the roots on the plant grow strong, compared to a heavy potting mix which can cause root rot.

When you buy your succulent, you can keep it in the nursery pot and buy a decorative container to place it in. If you do re-pot it, opt for a container with drainage holes to drain out excess water.

How to water succulents

The fastest and most common way to damage succulent plants is with too much water. Since the leaves are reservoirs for water, it can be easy to misjudge how much water they need compared to other plants. 

If you notice a plant shrinking or shriveling up, check the soil to see how dry it is. Then give it a thorough water and let excess water pour out through the drainage holes. If the plant sits in a saucer, be sure to dump out any water sitting in the tray.

Consider Fertilizer 

When you’re stocking up on your new succulents and soil, consider buying some succulent/cacti fertilizer to give the plant extra nutrients.