Succulent plants are a type of plant that is characterized by being able to accumulate large amounts of water, either in its leaves or stem. Their fleshy appearance makes them aesthetically very different from other plants, which is why they tend to be highly appreciated by many botanical enthusiasts, both in indoor gardens and in a vertical garden of succulents, which is increasingly fashionable.
In this EcologíaVerde article we are going to teach you everything essential about its different types, as well as what you need to know about how to reproduce succulent plants and grow them.
types of succulents
the succulents They are so diverse that they cover a large number of different families of plants, although the most common of them in gardening are cacti and crassulaceae.
Cactaceae plants or cacti
Usually called cacti, these plants, mostly from America, are known throughout the world for their extraordinary resistance to drought and high temperatures. Its most distinctive feature is the areola, the structure from which its stems, thorns and flowers are born. Some of The Cactus most used are the following:
- Dolichothele
- Aporocactus
- broom
- Cereus
- Aylostera
- epiphylum
- Acanthocalycium
- Carnegiea
- Copiapoa
- Astrophytum
- Coryphantha
- echinocactus
- Hylocereus
Discover more species in this other post about Types of cacti with flowers.
Crassulaceae plants
Crassulaceae are another family of succulent plants, most of them herbaceous, which can be found throughout the world. Crassulaceae plants store water in their succulent leaves, since, like cacti, they are typical of hot areas and with very little water. They are widely used in gardening due to their resistance and the little care they require. A few common Crassulaceae are:
- Echeveria black prince
- Echeveria pearl of nuremberg
- Echeveria elegans
- kalanchoe tomentosa
- Kalanchoe humilis
- Kalanchoe thyrsiflora
- Monanthes
- sedum
- Sempervivum
- Crassula morgan beauty
- Crassula multicava
- Crassula ovata
- umbilicus
- Cotyledon orbiculata
- aloe vera
- aloe squarrose
- Aloe aristata
Learn more about types of succulent plants in this other EcologíaVerde article.
How to reproduce succulent plants
propagate succulents It is especially practical to get a good amount of them from a few mother plants. Due to the great capacity of these plants to reproduce, we will be able to multiply them in a very short time.
Reproduce succulents by leaf cuttings
Most of them can be reproduced simply by planting a healthy leaf of the chosen succulent plant:
- Reproducing succulents by leaf with this method requires pulling or cutting them very carefully, always trying not to leave any leaf remnants on the mother plant. Remember to wear thick gardening gloves if you are working with plants with thorns.
- Let the sheet dry for about 72 hours.
- Then plant it superficially, that is, without burying it deep and leaving more of the leaf outside than underground.
Reproduce succulents by suckers
It is also possible to reproduce succulents by suckers. Many of these plants, such as cacti, naturally produce suckers around the parent plant. Transplanting them is very simple:
- First, keep in mind that it is generally best to separate the suckers only once they have grown some rather long roots.
- Separate the sucker from the mother plant with sharp, disinfected pruning shears, or even with your hands if it comes off easily.
- Let the sucker dry for two to three days if it has suffered injuries when separating it.
- Then plant it in the ground, covering its roots and base well.
Reproduce succulents by stem cuttings
Another possible method is multiplication by large cuttings, that is, from the stem:
- It is very similar to the leaf propagation method, only in this case, it uses an entire stem of the mother plant and not just a leaf.
- Let the cutting dry for a few days before planting it.
- Plant the cutting in soil suitable for this type of plant and do not pack the soil excessively when doing so.
If you are not sure which method is the most suitable for your succulent, the best thing you can do is to look for specific information about the species you are going to work with. Here below we leave you our video about the reproduction of succulents so that you expand a little more this information and see better what has been commented.
How to care for succulents
When reproducing succulents, the most common is to do it by leaf or stem cuttings or suckers. You have already seen what the three main ways to do it are, but, although they are very resistant plants, it is important to take into account some things so that they enjoy good health.
The main enemies of succulent plants are excess moisture and fungi. For this reason, it is necessary to know a series of basic succulent plant care:
earth and drainage
It is necessary to use pots and soil with very good drainage. Likewise, these plants benefit from having a layer of gravel or stones that separate their leaves from the substrate. In addition, newly planted leaves or cuttings welcome the use of fungicides to prevent possible attacks. Aloe is one of the succulents most susceptible to this type of damage. Here you can learn about homemade fungicides for cacti and other succulents.
Location, light and irrigation
Find a bright location for your plant, preferably facing south, and don’t overwater it. In winter once a month will suffice, and in summer it should not be watered more than once a week. Here we explain more about How to water succulent plants.
These plants are so hardy that, with a little care, they will grow healthy and strong even in hot climates. In this other EcologíaVerde post you will find more advice on the care of succulents. In addition, here you can see a video about these care.
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