Succulents

Succulents are among the most popular low-maintenance plants. Thanks to their resilience and unique ability to retain water, they can survive even extreme drought. In nature, they can be found almost everywhere except Antarctica, and there are around 10,000 species. In this article, we'll introduce three of them that are perfect for your garden or balcony.

For many people, the term succulent may be unfamiliar, yet once explained, everyone immediately recognizes their appearance. Succulents naturally occur in areas where prolonged drought prevails – sometimes for entire months or even years.

Their success lies in adapting to these extreme conditions:

• Metabolic changes
• Storage tissues that accumulate water
• Body shape and structure designed to conserve moisture

🌵 Most Popular Succulent Species

Tree Houseleek (Aeonium arboreum)

One of the most well-known succulents. It prefers a dry, bright location with temperatures around 12°C during overwintering, and increased humidity can lead to root rot.

It has large yellow inflorescences, but flowers are sparse and only appear from January to February.

It can grow up to 90 cm in height, and older plants can also reach a width of around 90 cm.

Its tree-like stems are sparsely branched and it requires a sunny location. These succulents must be watered carefully, as roots quickly rot when overwatered.

Care is not demanding; it has low to medium nutrient requirements.

🛒 Seeds available for purchase: Aeonium spathulatum

Common Houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum)

This frost-resistant and very popular houseleek has purple-red flowers that can be seen in their full glory from June to August.

The leaves are bluish to reddish-green and succulent.

It grows to a height of only about 10 to 15 cm, with a width of around 30 to 50 cm, forming compact rosettes.

Houseleek loves sunny locations and its nutritional requirements are minimal. It needs occasional watering and is most commonly found in rock gardens.

When planting houseleek, it's necessary to maintain a plant spacing of approximately 20 cm, and it can be easily propagated by division or sowing.

🔎 Other species:

• Cobweb houseleek – pink-red flowers, cobweb-like leaves
  
  
• Fringed houseleek – yellow flowers, blue-green leaves

Goldmoss stonecrop (Sedum acre)

This bright yellow succulent blooms from June to July and grows to a height of 3-5 cm, but spreads to a width of 30 to 50 cm. It forms cushions, blooms very quickly, and has prostrate stems.

It loves sunny spots and has minimal requirements for watering and nutrients. We plant it in well-draining soil, ideally mixed with sand.

Stonecrop also grows in gaps on terraces, and we can permanently plant it in containers and bowls, as it subsequently requires minimal care. It can be combined with other stonecrop species, but we must be very careful as the stonecrop's sap can splash on the skin and cause skin irritation.

🔎 Another species: Sedum floriferum

It has a prostrate to upright growth and reaches a height of only 10 to 20 cm, forming green cushions, and its bright yellow flowers delight our eyes from June to July. It loves sun, is frost-resistant, and tolerates well-draining soil poor in nutrients. It doesn't need much watering, and its sap is also very irritating to the skin.

🌵 Summary

Thanks to their undemanding nature, succulents are ideal even for beginners. All you need is a sunny location, well-draining soil, and careful watering. Whether you choose roseroot, houseleek, or stonecrop, you'll get decorative and resilient plants that will adorn every corner of your garden or balcony.