When looking for interesting plants to decorate your home and patio, consider succulents. Succulents are easy to grow, interesting and complex plants that come in a range of sizes, shapes and textures. They prefer bright light, such as a south-facing window. Many kinds of succulents will thrive outdoors in the summer once temperatures have warmed to about 55 degrees and come back inside when the temperatures get to low 50s during autumn.
Succulents should be watered generously in the summer. The potting soil should be allowed to dry between waterings, but do not underwater. If outdoors, keep an eye on rainfall as they can become waterlogged easily. A succulent plant should never sit in water. During the winter, when the plants are dormant, cut watering back to once every other month.
Overwatered plants are soft and discolored looking. The leaves may be yellow or white and lose their color. A succulent in this condition may be beyond repair, but you can still remove it from its pot and check the roots. If they are brown and rotted, cut away dead roots and repot into drier potting soil, or take a cutting from the parent plant.
An under watered succulent plant will first stop growing, then begin to shed leaves. Alternatively, the plant may develop brown spots on the leaves.
Succulents should be potted in a fast-draining soil mixture that's designed for cacti and succulents. If you don't have a specialized mix, consider modifying a regular potting mix with perlite to increase aeration and drainage.
For an online resource for growing cacti and succulents, please see http://www.cactus-mall.com/.
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