Succulent. One of those words that sounds like what it means, no? Juicy. Fleshy. Moist. But I promise this tutorial won't make you feel as uncomfortable as those words do.
Everyone needs a little greenery in their lives. Studies have shown that having plants in your home or office can actually improve your health and productivity! But if you're like me, and you tend to kill your plants before they even have a chance to make you skinny and successful, and you end up with a lower self-esteem and realize your lack of nurturing instinct, then succulents might be the plant for you!
One of my favorite indoor plant arrangements is the succulent garden. And I'm hoping it's as easy to take care of as it is to create! Here are the steps.
1) Choose a planter that will fit your selection of succulents. I found some containers at the local thrift store for a couple bucks. I used the large green bowl for this succulent garden. I still need to drill a hole in the bottom for drainage.
2) Choose which succulents you will be potting together. I'm not an expert on succulents yet, so this might not be the optimal grouping, but we love experimentation in this household. I chose varying colors, heights, and leaves. Put a little soil in the bottom of your planter. I picked up some cactus and succulent soil at the store, hoping that this will help my brown thumb.
3) Remove your plant from its junky plastic pot, and lightly loosen up the dirt and roots.
4) Place firmly in the planter, using more or less dirt to stand the plant up. Repeat with the other succulents, and play around with them until you're pleased with the arrangement.
5) Top off with more soil to cover the roots, and voila! An adorable little garden display to make your home a happier and healthier place!
Through my extensive research on Wikipedia, I learned that virtually all cacti are succulents but not all succulents are cacti. I'm not in love with prickly plants, so I lean more toward fat and juicy-looking leaves. We all remember how cacti survive in the cruel desert heat, right? A succulent's fleshy parts are adapted for storing moisture in times of drought. And there will be times of drought. In my home. Because I forget to water my plants. So this plant is well-adapted to my neglectful ways.
Click
here for tips on caring for your succulents from our friends at the
Cactus and Succulent Society of San Jose, of which I would like to be president someday.
