Succulents are plants with fleshy stems or leaves, designed to store water in arid environments or seasons. They aren’t exclusively desert dwellers; rather, they grow in widely different conditions, from coast to mountaintop throughout Africa and in many other parts of the world. Some are giants, but many are compact jewels that are ideal for greening and brightening small spaces. The secret of success is finding out what conditions each plant requires to grow in nature, so that you can be sure to give it the right amount of light and water.
Make sure the pot you choose has adequate drainage holes.
Keep pots, plants and surroundings clean.
Make sure air circulation is adequate.
Soil should be light and free-draining. One part fine river sand, one part coarse river sand and one part well-rotted compost is a good basic mix.
Keep a close watch for pests – succulents are prone to aphid, mealy bug, scale and fungal diseases, often caused by overwatering or crowding. Cut away the infected area and water the soil with a fungicide drench.
Most succulents are simple to propagate – you can grow new plants from cuttings, the offshoots and plantlets that many species produce, or even a single leaf.
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