In conclusion the great majority of succulents will be fine in plain garden soil when planted in the ground, though if the soil is poor quality they may not grow very fast and might not reach their full size. We don't think it's a good idea to grow succulents in nothing but garden soil in pots.
Place them near a south- or east-facing window. This same setting works during the warmer parts of the year. Alternately, you can shift indoor succulents outside during spring and summer. Choose a protected location where plants receive bright, indirect light.
Caring for Succulents in the Ground
For all the advantages of pots, if you live in a perennially warm climate, consider planting some of your succulents in your garden bed. As desert natives, they tolerate weather extremes better than most plants, and are an easy way to cut down on wasteful water usage.
Succulents need the support of pebbles for many reasons. Scientifically, pebbles prevent erosion by diffusing the path of rain, hold moisture in the soil and inhibit evaporation, as well as moderate soil temperature. (That's right—pebbles can keep the soil warm in the winter and cool in the summer!)
It depends on how big the pot &/or drain hole is. I prefer at least 3 when it comes to succulents. What do you put in the bottom of a succulent pot? If the pot has no drainage holes, then I do a layer of pebbles, lava rock, or clay pebbles with a layer of charcoal over that.
Step 1. Put a layer of rocks, pebbles, stones, or pumice at the bottom of the pot evenly. This will increase the drainage rate of the soil and prevent water from accumulating, which may lead to root rot. Also, consider the size of the pot when putting pebbles or rocks.
Don't water right away
But when it comes to repotting succulents, it's best to wait to wait a few days before watering them.
When planting your succulents in the ground, ensure that you provide them with six to eight inches of succulent specific soil. This will allow the roots with plenty of space to grow without being bogged down by moisture.
According to Retro Den, the rule of thumb for watering your succulent is every other week during non-winter months. During the winter months, when the temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, it is recommended to water your succulent only once a month.
Never plant succulents on hot, sunny days. Do it in the evening and, when possible, wait for a cool overcast day to do your outdoor planting. Even though succulents can live in the hot sun and extreme heat, they prefer being planted in gentler weather.
Succulents grow best in a porous sandy potting soil, so amending your potting soil with sand is super important. You could use any type of sand, but to ensure fast drainage for succulents, I recommend buying a coarse sand rather than the really fine stuff.
You can start with morning sun which is less intense and better tolerated by most succulents and work your way up to the more intense afternoon sun. You can also place the plant under a shade or taller plants when first exposing the plant to direct sun.
Bigger Plant Pots Retain More Water
Your succulent may survive in a large pot, but such space does not encourage healthy growth. Since large pots have much room for the roots, it does not allow the succulent to fill the plant container with roots.
Many people like to grow succulents in pots and glass jars that look attractive and unusual and placing rocks either on top of potting mix in pots or in glass terrariums is very popular. Succulents cannot be planted in just rocks for the long term.
Tips on Planting a Crowded Arrangement
When planting your succulents into an arrangement, you can give them a little space between each plant to grow into. Maybe a half inch to one inch space would be ideal and not so noticeable. Between the empty spaces, you could add a decorative rock to make it look full.
As a general rule, I recommend leaving about a half-inch of space between your succulents and the edge of the pot, so they'll have a little room to spread and grow. Too much space can actually prevent a succulent from growing much larger, because the roots spread out before the succulent has time to catch up.
However, plastic planters for succulents are not breathable, making water drainage an issue. Therefore, it is always sensible to buy plastic pots with drainage holes and use proper succulent soil mix to ensure that the water never stands for too long at the plant roots.
No, there is no need to dry out succulents before repotting, and doing so can cause added stress. If the soil is soggy, then replant them into a dry mix.
Moving Them Around
All are available at garden centers or farm supply stores. As you dig garden succulents, brush excess soil from roots; potted succulents should have potting soil and roots loosened gently. Plant at the same depth they were originally grown, tamping new soil around them for support.
With their fleshy leaves and extraordinary forms, succulents are easy to maintain and make excellent container plants - I have quite a few of these popular specimens in my collection. A general rule of thumb is to repot succulents every two-years, at least as a way to provide fresh fertile soil.
Gravel or expanded shale can be added to the bottom of the container to help increase drainage. A basic, sandy potting soil mixed with vermiculite makes a great succulent mix! Light: Succulents do very well in bright, indirect light-- most succulents will burn in direct sunlight.
For plants that are susceptible to root rot and fungal issues, a chunky top dressing like pebbles or gravel would be helpful to avoid having water sit against the lower leaves. Heavy topdressing also keeps soil in place when watering since succulent soil mix is very light and tends to fly everywhere easily.
Succulents need well-draining soil, so regular potting soil—or dirt from your yard—won't do. Generally, soil that drains best is porous and sandy.