Succulent houseplants: description and care. Types of succulents

Unpretentious and easy to care for, succulents are used to decorate garden plots, alpine slides and window sill decorations. Accustomed to temperature extremes, easily tolerated by lack of watering, bright sunlight or prolonged partial shade - ideal for a novice or not too attentive gardener. succulents differ in leaf shape and size, so we suggest looking at the photo with the names from the catalog. In this article, you will also learn how to properly care for these unique plants.

Succulents: photo and description

Agave
American agave and Queen Victoria agave are varieties of this plant. Hard, dense leaves of green, dark green or green with yellowish stripes. The leaf edge is sharp. The leaves grow in a circle from the central leaf. The plant requires a temperature of 8 to 21 degrees, watering once a month and no direct light. Agave American rarely blooms, Queen Victoria is not a flowering plant.

adenium
It has a tree-like trunk and many small leaves. Likes warmth and moisture. Spray the leaves of the plant once a day, water - once every three to four days. Comfortable temperature is not lower than 12 degrees. It blooms infrequently, releasing many pink small flowers.

Adromiscus
A plant with thick, downy, spotted leaves, loves watering and light partial shade.

Adromiscus Photos

Aloe
Thin, sharp dark green leaves grow in a circle. It does not require special care. The plant is low, blooms rarely. There are several varieties of aloe: aloe tree, squat, folded fan, variegated, spinous. A variety such as aloe squat has healing properties.

Photo of aloe

Anacampseros
Ampelous succulent. Purple shoots with small, fleshy green leaves. Likes moisture and sunshine. Weaves well. It blooms profusely, with pink flowers of the correct form.

Aptenia
A short, sometimes climbing plant with fleshy, rounded leaves and small flowers. Requires abundant watering and good lighting. The temperature should be maintained at a level not lower than 18-20 degrees.

Argyroderma
A tiny perennial plant, consisting of two fleshy gray-green leaves that face each other and form a semblance of a bowl. Blooms every few years. The flower is comparable in size to the plant, has pink or white petals. Water as the soil dries in summer and once a month in winter. Fertilize in the summer. Avoid direct sunlight.

Brigamia
Fairly tall succulent with a tree trunk and large dark green leaves. It tolerates summer high temperatures up to 30 degrees. The temperature in winter should not be below 15 degrees. Requires high humidity and leaf spraying. Illumination is moderate, top dressing phosphate fertilizers. Blooms in winter.

Brigamia Photos

Gasteria
perennial herbaceous plant with green leaves collected in rosettes. Varieties: Gasteria Armstrong with round hard leaves, holly Gasteria spotted, warty, tiny. High temperature and light, and low humidity suitable conditions for gasteria. When flowering, an arrow appears, at the end of which there are several bell-shaped flowers. The plant is transplanted every two to three years.

Gasteria Photos

Graptopetalum
A plant of the Crassulaceae family, has medium-sized, hard. Thick leaves with a sharp edge. The leaves are collected in rosettes or bushes. Easily tolerates bright sun and high temperatures in summer. In winter, during the dormant period, it withstands a temperature drop of up to 5 degrees. Watering is infrequent: in summer once every 15 days, in autumn and winter - once a month. It begins to bloom in the second year, it can bloom all summer.

Dorstenia
A plant with a tree-like trunk and long, narrow light green leaves. The plant is thermophilic, easily tolerates high temperatures. Requires high light and low humidity. Watering every 10 days in summer, once every three weeks in winter. The flowers look like green boxes.

Zamioculcas
Several stems, thick at the bottom and thin at the top, and many green dense oval leaves. The plant can reach a height of one and a half meters. Loyal to high temperature, but does not tolerate direct sun and excessive watering. Watering should be no more than once a week in summer and once every three weeks in winter. Grows well in light, loose soils. Blooms infrequently. During the flowering period, it releases an arrow, at the end of which there is a medium-sized flower.

Conophytum
A low-growing plant consisting of fused, round, dense leaves that are green-gray to dark brown in color. It tolerates temperature extremes, low humidity and bright sunlight. Watering is moderate, once every 15-20 days. Blooms in late summer or autumn. When flowering from the place of articulation of the leaves, it releases an arrow and a small yellow flower.

Cotyledon
A plant with a tree-like stem and numerous thick leaves. It can grow up to two meters high. Cotyledon is not afraid of temperature changes and dry air. When leaving, you should try not to overmoisten the soil, watering is rare. Flowering occurs rarely, mostly zamy. Flowers are in the form of asterisks of soft colors.

rejuvenated
It is believed that this plant requires almost no care. It consists of many small hard leaves collected in a rosette, the diameter of which can reach 20 centimeters. Likes full sun and low humidity. The temperature in summer is up to 30 degrees, in winter up to 5 degrees of heat. When watering, try to ensure that water does not fall into the outlet and does not accumulate at the base of the plant. It blooms in summer, throwing out long thin peduncles with small flowers.

Photo of the succulent Molodilo

Oscularia
Perennial bushy plant. The leaves are green-gray, small, fleshy. The plant tolerates hot, dry air and bright sun well. Water moderately, allowing the soil to dry out a couple of inches deep between waterings. Grows well in light soils. Blooms in summer, small flowers color pink.

sedum
Perennial plant of the Crassulaceae family. Different types of stonecrops have sizes from dwarf 8-10 cm to 1 meter. Leaves are small and dense. It tolerates temperature differences easily, in summer temperatures up to 30 degrees are allowed. Bright sunlight and low air humidity will suit this succulent. In summer, stonecrop is watered abundantly once a week, during the dormant period - once every two to three weeks. Avoid stagnant moisture. The plant rarely blooms, the flowers resemble stars.

Sansevieria
Succulent with dense lanceolate leaves. Separate types can reach a height of 1.5 meters. The leaves are collected in several pieces in rosettes. Absolutely unpretentious plant. Comfortable temperature 16-25 degrees, easily tolerates dry air, bright sun and rare watering. When watering, you need to make sure that water does not get into the middle of the sockets. The plant blooms with small flowers with a strong smell.

Stapelia
Perennial succulent with numerous branching stems. Room temperature in summer, low humidity and bright sunlight will create conditions for good development of the plant. In summer, the slipway is watered every 12-15 days, in winter you can not water it. Transplant in the spring every two years. The flowers are large with an unpleasant odor.

fat girl
A bushy plant with small, succulent leaves that range in color from bright green to reddish brown. An easy-care plant, resistant to high and low temperatures and dry air. In summer, abundant watering is required. Tolerates bright sunlight well. Blooms from late summer to mid-winter. There are many varieties of fat woman: oval, rocky, silvery, lycopsform, etc.

How to care for succulents

Miniature plants are quite unpretentious in their care, but you still have to follow some rules. Succulents are desert plants, so they like dry climates and temperature extremes. Of course, you will not be able to create natural conditions for their growth, since in African countries the temperature drops are up to 25 degrees.

When growing succulents of any kind, try to ventilate the room and at the same time keep an eye on the humidity, as these plants do not like very humid air. Flower pots are best placed on south-facing windowsills, as succulents love the sun and good lighting is an essential part of caring for them. Some species do not grow well in direct sunlight, so you should consider this nuance when choosing a variety of succulents.

Depending on the time of year, room temperature, and humidity, you will need to schedule your succulents for watering. In winter, it is recommended to water about 2 times a month, and from spring to autumn it is possible almost every week, depending on the drying of the soil. Dry soil in a pot should remain a maximum of 3-4, so be careful not to let the roots dry out.

Read the article: succulents for a tropical florarium

AT vivo succulents grow in sandy soil, so you can choose a special soil composition that will pass air well and not retain moisture. you can buy prepared soil in the store, and then add nutrients to it. Some flower growers advise adding Activated carbon into the soil, as it absorbs moisture well and protects the roots of plants from decay.

It is important to transplant succulents in a timely manner, especially if the plants are young. It is recommended to transplant adult plants every two years, and young plants annually. It is best to do this in the spring, but not during flowering or buds.

Succulents need fertilizer just like other plants, so you can choose special compound in a flower shop. Keep your succulent fertilizer to a minimum of nitrogen, as it causes root rot. Succulents are fertilized in the spring, while the concentration of the compounds should be lower than for feeding other plants. In winter, it is better not to fertilize these plants, as they are in a dormant stage.

Catalog of succulents

If you choose the right succulents by photo and name from the catalog, as well as provide them with good care, you can organize beautiful florariums on your windowsill. Compositions of miniature plants look spectacular in the design of a modern apartment, so you can emphasize the ecological style of the interior.

Choose plants for the florarium with the same requirements for humidity and temperature, then make it easier to care for them. It is not difficult to grow succulents at home with your own hands, because these plants take root well and can even please with unusual flowering.

Succulents are plants that have the ability to store a large supply of water in their tissues. Outwardly, the leaves of succulents seem to be filled with water. For the first time, these plants appeared in countries with arid climates. Succulents are often very easy to care for and unpretentious. Succulents should not be overlooked when choosing indoor plants, as there are a number of flowering leaf and stem succulents that bring a lot of positive emotions to their owners.

Agave american

Perennial leafy succulent. The plant consists of basal, green-variegated or plain green, thick, narrowed upwards, hard, linear-lanceolate leaves. Leaves grow in a circle of one central leaf. The edge of the leaves is covered with small thorns. Blooms rarely, green-yellow inconspicuous flowers on a tall pedicel. The temperature in the room acceptable for the life of the plant should not be less than +8 ° C. Watering and top dressing once a month. Frequent transplantation into a specialized deciduous-soddy-sandy soil is necessary.

Agave Queen Victoria

Perennial leafy succulent. The plant consists of basal, hard, concave, triangular, matte dark green leaves with white edging. Leaves grow in a circle of one central leaf. At the ends of all leaves there is one long thorn. The plant does not flower. You can not put the agave in the open sun and sunny window sills. The temperature in the room should not exceed +21 ° C.

adenium

Perennial tree succulent. The stem of the plant is dense in the root zone, strongly branched towards the top. The leaves are lanceolate, serrated, dissected, light green. The plant blooms rarely, but very plentifully. Crimson flowers with a light throat. Flowers are simple and double. When growing at home, care should be taken that the temperature does not fall below +12 ° C. The plant requires daily spraying and watering every three days.

Adromiscus spotted

Perennial thick leaf succulent. The plant consists of basal, green-spotted, thick, hairy leaves. The edge of the leaves has purple hue. The leaves grow from a dense, small root stalk. The plant looks very saturated with water. In home cultivation, it is worth watering the plant moderately every evening. You can not put a flower in the sun and sunny areas of the room. The temperature of normal growing conditions is not higher than +21 o C.

Aloe variegated

Perennial herbaceous leaf succulent. The plant cannot exceed 30 centimeters in height. It consists of basal, green-variegated with light waves, thick, narrowed upwards, hard, linear-lanceolate leaves. The leaves form a rosette, grow in a circle. Rarely blooms orange flowers in a cluster inflorescence. The plant is not picky about growing conditions, it requires only constant watering.

Aloe squat

Perennial herbaceous leaf succulent. Plant from 10 to 50 centimeters in height. Consists of basal, thin, hard, xiphoid, light green, pointed petals. The leaves are covered with small rough thorns. Leaves grow in a circle of one central leaf. Young shoots appear along the perimeter of the old plant. The plant is famous for its many medicinal properties. special care not required at home.

Anacampseros

Perennial bushy weaving succulent. The plant consists of dense dark purple shoots. The leaves are small, dense, watery. symmetrically arranged along the branches. The flowers are regular, pink, on long succulent pedicels. the main branch passes into a bare pedicel. Up to 5 flowers can bloom on one branch. The plant requires constant watering, an unlimited place of growth (for weaving), a large amount of sunlight.

Aptenia

Perennial evergreen succulent plant. Stems fleshy, spreading, creeping. The leaves are lanceolate, watery, light green, symmetrically arranged along the stem. The plant can curl. The flowers are small. pink or white color. Flowers with small thin petals, located in the axils at the ends of the branches. Requires a high degree of illumination, average air temperature and abundant watering.

Argyroderma

Perennial succulent. It has the second name "living stones". The body of the plant looks like a pebble. The plant consists of a massive rosette, which consists of two very thick fleshy leaves. The body of the plant is painted in a matte gray-green color. The flowers of the plant appear in the center of the contact of the leaves. The flowers are regular, bright pink, the petals are small and thin. It is necessary to provide the plant with a large stream of sunlight and abundant timely watering. Succulents grow in drainage soil made of small stones.

Brigamia

Perennial leafy tree succulent. The stem of the plant is dense, mostly in the root zone. The stem is about 20-50 centimeters high. Small branches with a single leaf are formed from the top of the stem. Leaves are lanceolate, oval-elongated. The leaves are shiny, covered with a wax coating. The succulent blooms with small yellow flowers on separate long pedicels. The plant requires plenty of light and moderate regular watering.

Gasteria

Perennial leafy succulent. The plant consists of basal, green-spotted, thick, slightly flattened xiphoid leaves. The edges of the leaves are smooth, the end is sharp. The leaves are collected in numerous dense rosettes. It blooms with small, tubular-swollen flowers. The flowers are usually located on a long pedicel in the apical unilateral inflorescence. The plant is not whimsical to light and heat. Requires only regular watering and transplanting every two years. It is also necessary to plant young sockets.

Graptopetalum

Perennial herbaceous stemless succulent. The plant is made up of small dense, watery, heart-shaped leaves, collected in a rosette. Leaves are dark green, matte sharp end. It blooms with large, pink, lily-shaped flowers on separate tall peduncles. Requires sufficient light and moisture. Grows best in well-drained soil of small stones.

Dorstenia

Perennial leafy tree succulent. The stem of the plant is dense, mostly in the root zone. The stem is about 20-50 centimeters high. Single leaves are formed from the top of the stem. Leaves are lanceolate, oval-elongated. The flowers are green, in the form of a box with seeds, on a separate pedicel. The plant is not whimsical to light and heat. Requires only constant regular watering and spraying. Feeding is necessary once a month.

Zamioculcas

Perennial leafy succulent. The plant consists of numerous stems with symmetrically arranged, dark green, oval, lanceolate, shiny leaves. The stems in the root zone are thick and watery, thinning upwards. The plant rarely blooms. Throws out a small arrow at the base of the stems and opens into a simple cob. Zamioculcas need to be watered every two days, to provide the plant large quantities Sveta. Succulent does not tolerate low temperatures, the room should be at least +8 ° C.

Conophytum

Perennial succulent. Each plant consists of rounded fused leaves. Leaves form a spherical, heart-shaped plant body. The stem of the plant is very short and is in the ground. The body color of the plant varies from bluish-gray-green to brown. The plant is very small, not higher than 5-10 centimeters. The flowers are small, regular, narrow-leaved, yellow. The flowers emerge on short peduncles from the junction of leaf accretion. It is necessary to provide the plant with a large stream of sunlight and abundant timely watering. The succulent grows exclusively in the soil of small stones.

Cotyledon

Perennial semi-shrub succulent. Stem solitary, woody. In the first year, the stem is one, with subsequent years it bushes. The height of the plant can reach 50-180 centimeters. The leaves are thick, watery, numerous, symmetrical, oval, dark green, shiny with a reddish border. Blooms rarely in winter, light pink or white star-shaped flowers. The plant tolerates cold well. The succulent does not tolerate an excess of moisture in the soil and in the air.

lamprantus

Perennial climbing succulent. The young stems of the plant are initially erect, then droop and creep. The plant reaches no more than 15 centimeters in height. The leaves are fleshy, trihedral, smooth, gray-green or light green. The leaves are arranged symmetrically along the stem. It blooms with small pink flowers on long peduncles. It can be planted in a squat pot (weaves low) or in a tall pot (weaves ampelously and can be hung). The succulent is heat-loving and moisture-loving.

rejuvenated

Perennial herbaceous stemless succulent. The plant consists of small, dense, watery, oblong leaves, collected in a pink rosette. The leaves are dark green, matte, with a sharp brown tip. There are always a lot of sockets, it grows quickly. Blooms small, correct colors, white on separate high peduncles, which consist of fused elongated leaves of the plant. Requires sufficient light and moisture. Grows best in well-drained soil of small stones.

Oscularia

Perennial shrub succulent. The leaves are juicy, bluish-gray-green, symmetrically opposite, trihedral, fused at the base. The leaves expand upward. The edges of the leaves and the body of the plant itself are smooth. The flowers are correct, pink or red. The flowers emerge from the incision of the leaves on individual pedicels. The succulent is thermophilic. It is necessary to provide the plant with sufficient sunlight and abundant watering.

Portulacaria

Perennial shrub succulent. Stems solitary, woody with a red-brown tint. The leaves are small, juicy, symmetrical, dark green, lanceolate, oval. The leaves are collected in small rosettes of three or four leaves. Blooms rarely, small regular pink flowers in spike-shaped inflorescences. Requires plenty of sunlight, top dressing once a month and abundant regular watering.

Sansevieria

Perennial leafy succulent. The plant consists of basal, green-variegated or plain green, thick, narrowed upwards, hard, linear-lanceolate leaves. Leaves grow randomly along the permitted perimeter. The edge of the leaves is smooth with a golden yellow edging. Blooms rarely, green-yellow inconspicuous flowers on a tall pedicel. The temperature in the room acceptable for the life of the plant should not be less than +16 ° C. Watering and top dressing once a month.

synadenium

Perennial shrub succulent. The stems are juicy, fleshy, covered with light gray bark. The leaves are ovate, alternate, shiny, rich green with dark green veins, symmetrically arranged along the stem. Blooms with umbrella inflorescence. Peduncles are small, short and thick. The flowers are bearing, small, closed, red in the form of inverted hats with feathers. The plant is thermophilic, the temperature should not be lower than +10 o C. The plant also requires a high degree of illumination. You can water the plant no more than once a month.

Stapelia

Perennial bushy undersized succulent. The stems of the plant are numerous, tetrahedral, succulent, light green or bluish in color. The stems branch in the root zone. The edges of the stems are covered with teeth. Plant height can be 10-60 centimeters. Flowers solitary, on curved pedicels. The flowers are covered with small soft villi, burgundy in shape. five pointed star. The flowers are very beautiful, but they emit an unpleasant smell. rotten meat. The plant should be placed in shady places. The temperature of normal growth of the slipway should not be below +10 ° C. Succulents can be watered no more than once every two weeks.

fat girl

Perennial tree succulent. The trunk of the tree is dense, it can be both squat and high (depending on the subspecies of the plant). The leaves are small, oval, juicy, dark green. The leaves are symmetrically arranged along the branches. According to Chinese beliefs, the leaves of the tree resemble coins, hence the second name "money tree". The plant is not whimsical to light and heat. Requires only constant regular, but moderate watering.

Phocaea

Perennial tree succulent. The phocaea has a caudex trunk. The trunk can be elongated, rounded or oval; long, thin, branched stems grow from this base. At first, the stems need support, later they become woody. the leaves are oval, shiny, dark green with a clearly marked central vein. The flowers are white, regular, small, inconspicuous, with a pleasant aroma. The plant is unpretentious to light and heat. You need to water the plant only when the soil is completely dry, and then moderately.

Haworthia

Perennial herbaceous dwarf succulent. The plant consists of basal fleshy leaves. The leaves are sword-shaped, short, dark green with white stripes. The leaves form a circular rosette. They can grow up in a circle. The edge of the leaves is covered with small teeth. Flowers appear rarely and not in all species. the flowers are white, small and inconspicuous. In home cultivation, the succulent requires a shaded place of growth and plentiful timely watering. Grows best in soil of small stones.

Cerochlamis

Perennial succulent. The plant consists of a massive rosette, which consists of very thick, faceted, fleshy leaves. The body of the plant is painted in a matte gray-green color. In height, the plant rarely exceeds 15 centimeters. The flowers of the plant appear in the center of the contact of the leaves. The flowers are regular, bright pink, the petals are small and thin on a separate tall pedicel. It is necessary to provide the plant with a large stream of sunlight and abundant timely watering. Succulents grow in drainage soil made of small stones.

Schlumbergera

Perennial hanging succulent. Abundantly branching cactus shrub. The branches are flat, jointed, without thorns, with notches along the edges. The flowers are zygomorphic, tubular, located at the ends of the branches. Flowers can be crimson, pink, red and orange. When growing at home, it is worth putting the succulent exclusively on sunny side, water every two days and feed every two weeks.

Aeonium

Perennial herbaceous tree-like succulent. The plant consists of small, dense, watery, oblong, lanceolate leaves collected in a pink rosette. The leaves are dark green, shiny. There are always a lot of sockets, it grows quickly. All sockets are placed on a branched stem. It blooms in small, regular flowers, yellow on separate tall peduncles, in a racemose inflorescence. Requires sufficient light and moisture. Grows best in well-drained soil of small stones.

echeveria

Perennial herbaceous succulent. It has a second name stone rose". The plant consists of small, dense, watery, oval leaves with a sharp end, collected in a pink rosette. Leaves are gray-green, matte. There are always a lot of sockets, it grows quickly. It blooms with small, regular flowers, similar to bells, red on separate tall peduncles, which consist of fused elongated leaves of the plant. Rarely, the plant can be weaving. Requires sufficient light and moisture. Grows best in well-drained soil of small stones.

Succulents are unpretentious plants, which have a number of advantages compared to other indoor flowers: they are better adapted to the dry air of the premises, do not require frequent watering and grown in small pots. With proper care, succulents rarely get sick, pests often attack weakened plants. If wintering conditions are observed (low temperature, reduced watering), many species bloom in spring and summer.

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succulents

Succulents are not a botanical category, but a characteristic different types plants that store water in their leaves, stems and roots. Succulents in nature grow in a hot and dry climate, with excessive solar radiation, a large difference in daily temperature, and a lack of moisture and nutrients in the soil. To survive in such extreme conditions, these plants have developed two types of adaptability - tough shoots and tissues that can function with a minimum of water in them (sclerophytes), and, conversely, juicy and fleshy stems and leaves that accumulate the maximum amount of moisture (succulents). The name "succulents" comes from two Latin words: succus - "juice" and lentus - "thick".

Some growers separate cacti and succulents, but this is wrong. All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. Cacti make up the largest family - 2500 species, which is ¼ of all varieties of succulents. Succulents have different ability to reduce water evaporation:

• wax coating on the leaves;
• pubescence of small hairs and spines that prevent ventilation and absorb drops of water in the fog;
• ribbed surface of leaves and stems, which allows the plant to swell without damage;
• intense coloring;
• translucent "windows" at the ends of the leaves, filled with mucus, passing through which the solar radiation is weakened;
• curling leaves;
• sticky resin on the leaves, to which sand adheres and protects them from the sun;
• sun-resistant bark;
• an altered type of photosynthesis - in ordinary plants it occurs during the daytime, and in succulents, the stomata of the leaves are closed during the day. These plants release oxygen at night.

Succulents are exotic champions of survival among plants. In the Mojave Desert in the United States, only a few centimeters of precipitation fall during the winter. In such harsh conditions, the succulent yucca shortleaf, or Jesus tree, survives. Some cacti are able to be drawn into the ground with the help of a powerful root during drought, for example, univalent albuka. Due to this property, botanists could not detect it for many years. Many species have adapted to absorb moisture from fogs and dews, which are the only source of water during a drought. Hamegigas intrepidus from the norichnikov family lives for 7 months as a tuber in drying puddles, but literally a few minutes after precipitation it releases leaves. During rains, plants try to absorb moisture as quickly as possible, sometimes increasing their weight by several kilograms. In one night after the rain, succulents form flowers, and deserts turn into blooming fields.

Most plants have small and inconspicuous flowers, but there are also species that produce very large, fragrant flowers (among cacti). Tropical succulents such as Schlumbergera, Epiphyllum, and Hathiora have brightly colored flowers when grown indoors. Hybrids bred by breeders have a wide variety of flower colors, such plants look good in mixes. AT indoor floriculture breeding is also popular miniature species plants, which makes it possible to place on one windowsill a whole collection of succulents from several dozen specimens blooming together in spring time. tall plants- cereus and euphorbia can be placed at home deep into the room, for example, to the door, periodically bringing them into the light closer to the window.



Succulent species also exist among the "atypical" families - geranium, pumpkin, begonia, grape. In total, there are more than 10 thousand species of succulent plants. Most succulents grow in the deserts and semi-deserts of South Africa. The homeland of cacti is mainly Northern and South America. The habitat of succulents is all continents except Antarctica. In desert conditions, they can live for several centuries. Plant sizes range from 2-3 cm to 6 m in height. In Russia in wild nature there are mainly succulents of the Crassulaceae family (about 120 species).



Varieties

The most famous 7 families of plants that are succulents:

1. 1. Lastovnevye (Asclepiadaceae).
2. 2. Asphodelaceae (Asphodeliceae).
3. 3. Aizovye (Aizoaceae).
4. 4. Cactus (Cactaceae).
5. 5. Crassulaceae (Crassulaceae).
6. 6. Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae).
7. 7. Mesembryanthemaceae (Mesembryanthemaceae).

Depending on in which part of the plant water accumulates, they are divided into stem, leaf and root. In many stem succulents, leaves appear only during the rainy season, and fall off during the drought. The stem type includes asphodelaceae, cacti, and many spurge plants. In most cacti, the leaves have changed into thorns or thorns. In leafless cacti, the process of photosynthesis occurs in the stems. Typical representatives Leaf succulents are Crassula with a dense rosette of thick, fleshy leaves. Lithops (“living stones”) and conophytums consist of only one pair of leaves. Pronounced leafy succulents do not have a stem, and thread-like roots extend directly from the leaves.



Root succulents (guinea and euphorbia) form a thickened part of the root (tubers) or stem (caudex). Caudex during the rainy season in some species reaches up to several meters in diameter. The leaves of these plants are not succulent and often fall off in the absence of moisture, and the branches are dry and thin. This group of plants includes jatropha, dioscorea ("elephant's foot"), adenia and others.



Care

Such a variety among succulent flowers can make it difficult to determine the type of plant. But even by its external characteristics, without knowing the name, you can identify the basic principles of care:

• If the plant has thorns, ribs, hairy pubescence or waxy coating, dense skin, reddish or brown color, then this indicates its adaptability to grow in the open. scorching sun. If the skin on the stems and leaves is thin and delicate, their color is bright green, then it is better to place such plants with shading so as not to cause sunburn.
• The fleshier and thicker the stems and leaves, the more resistant the plant is to drought. Such houseplants need to be watered infrequently. When propagating a flower with stems and leaves, they need to be dried for several hours.
• Plants with thin climbing stems love high humidity during rooting and vegetation.
• Fast growing species live in more temperate climate, in fertile soil with good hydration. Slow-growing succulents in nature are found in poor soils, in areas with prolonged droughts. They need to create appropriate conditions at home (bright lighting and very moderate watering, soil with good drainage).

Almost all species, except for ampelous ones, love fresh air, so in the summer season they can be taken out into the garden or placed on a balcony or loggia. In winter, ventilation should be done carefully, as the plants cannot stand the cold.

Succulents brought from Holland need to be repotted after being bought in a store, as they are grown on a nutrient mixture in peat and are not intended for long-term maintenance. Abroad, after flowering, they are thrown away. The purchased plant is removed from the transport pot, the roots are cleaned and inspected, transplanted into a more suitable soil.

Tall branching and ampelous species needs to be trimmed regularly. The crown of crassula succulents for several years can be formed in the bonsai style - with a thickened stem at the base and a branching crown.

When growing ragworts and euphorbias, care must be taken to ensure that there is no access to the plants for children, since all parts of these succulents are poisonous. You also need to be careful with those specimens that have long hard spines, with agaves, holly succulents (aloe, sansevier), as they can injure the eyes.



The soil

Succulents are plants that are not demanding on the composition of the soil, but the best soil for them is the one in which they grow in nature:

1. 1. Pronounced succulents living in deserts and mountains need light gravel soil of fine fraction (3-5 mm).
2. 2. For most species, a mixture of the following composition is recommended:
• humus - 2 parts;
• peat - 2-3 parts;
• brick chips (or fine gravel) and washed coarse sand - 1.5 parts each;
• sod land - 1 part;
• chopped sphagnum - 1 part.

3. Rotten cow dung is added to pots with epiphytic plants (living on trees in the subtropics) and echinopsis.

4. For the cultivation of columnar cereus in the soil mixture, the amount of soddy land and gravel is increased.

5. Plants with thickened roots, astrophytums, white mammillaria, and milkweeds need more clay.

6. Glotiphyllums in rich soil become too thick. Therefore, they use a mixture of the following composition:

• sand - 2 parts;
• leaf ground - 0.5 parts;
• clay or loam - 1 part.

7. Older potted plants add more sod.

8. Cacti prefer acidic soil.

You can use ready-made mixtures for cacti and succulents sold in stores. If this is not possible, apply garden soil mixed with sand. The general rule for all these plants is good drainage, since stagnant water is detrimental to them, even for those species that grow in tropical forests. The following materials are used to loosen the soil:

• needles;
• finely chopped sphagnum;
• coconut flakes;
• perlite;
• vermiculite;
• gravel;
• granite chips;
• crushed charcoal.

Pots for plants are chosen with large drainage holes. A layer of drainage (gravel, crushed stone and others) is laid at the bottom of the container with a thickness of at least 2-3 cm. In the absence of drainage holes, the layer of drainage material should be at least 1/3 of the height of the dish. Old and large specimens of plants are best grown in large clay pots, as in light plastic they can tip over when the soil dries. Evaporation of water in clay pots occurs not only from the surface of the earth, but also through the walls of the container, so the earth needs to be watered more often. Young plants are grown in disposable plastic cups, but they cannot be used as permanent dishes, as the earth turns green from the light.

The size of the pot should be 1-2 cm larger than the root system of the plant. Mature plants need transplanting infrequently, and young ones are transferred to fresh soil every year. Strongly succulent species (crassula, mesembryanthemum) are transplanted every 2-3 years. The land is not watered before transplanting, as freshly watered plants break easily. You can slightly moisten it by spraying. When transplanting, most species are not buried, with the exception of lithops, conophytums, gudia, tavaresia and young adeniums, in which it is imperative to sprinkle the root neck. Succulents are transplanted in the spring, before the resumption of active growth. After that, the plants are kept in partial shade for 2-3 weeks, and then they can again be taken out into the sun. Supersucculents after transplantation do not water for 2-3 days.

With regular transplantation, succulents do not require top dressing. The exception is those plants that are grown in hydroponics and semi-hydroponics (gravel substrate). Preference is given to liquid mineral fertilizers, since they lose their decorative effect from organic ones. Also, do not feed those plants that stand in the shade. As fertilizers, you can use specialized preparations for cacti, which are sold in flower shops. Fast-growing species are fed once every 2 weeks, slow-growing species - once a month and only during the growing season.



Recipe mineral fertilizer for succulents:

Other complex fertilizers intended for indoor flowers, dilute twice the concentration indicated in the instructions.

Lighting and watering

The main conditions for the successful cultivation of succulents at home are good lighting and moderate watering. Plant pots placed on the windowsill must be rotated periodically so that they are evenly lit. This is done so that the flowers do not stretch to one side and do not get burned on shady side when rearranging. For some succulents that have a heavy mass of leaves and branches, deflection of the trunk and shoots can lead to breakage and death of the plant.

The best location for most species are southern (for cacti, lithops, conophytums, gudiya, crassula) and eastern, western windows (tropical succulents, aloe, gasteria, kalanchoe). The lack of lighting leads to the fact that the succulents are stretched, their color becomes pale, flowering stops and the plant may eventually die. If there is only a dimly lit window in the dwelling, then you need to choose shade-tolerant species that are distinguished by a dark green color (purslane-shaped fat woman, drawn haworthia, striped haworthia, three-stripe sanseveria, agave-shaped echeveria, stonecrops, ripsalis, schlumbergera).

You also need to consider that in the spring, after a lack of light in the winter, you can not immediately put pots with plants in the bright sun. Even light-loving succulents can suffer from this. Crassula, aloe, haworthia and gasteria acquire a reddish tint from a sharp change in illumination. If the plant receives enough light, then spines, pubescence or wax coating will develop well.

Succulents can not stand the flood of water. For them, one universal rule: It is better to underfill the plant than to overfill it. Under natural conditions, some species can do without water for 2-3 months. During the active growing season, succulents are watered once a week at a temperature of +25 degrees. At higher temperatures and for leafy plants, water more often. Some types of cacti stop growing in hot weather, in which case watering is reduced. It is preferable to use soft warm water. Too hard water can be softened by dissolving a pinch citric acid in 3 liters of liquid or peat crumbs (1 handful per bucket of water, leave for a day).

From spring to autumn, succulents grow in room temperature.In winter, they are kept in cooler conditions for two reasons:

• so that they do not stretch in the absence of sufficient lighting;
• for tying flower buds, which occurs during the dormant period.

Echeveria, pachyphytums, graptopetalums, agaves, pedilantus and many sedums require dry wintering at a temperature of +10 ... +12 degrees. Aloe, gasteria, kalanchoe, havortia, bryophyllums, crassulas, aizaceae, euphorbia, dove should be at a higher temperature of +15 degrees during the dormant period. Tropical succulents - sansevieria, hoya, cissus - prefer partial shade, moisture and nutritious soil, as well as warm wintering at +15 degrees. Care at home should correspond to the growing conditions of plants in their natural environment. In some species, natural wilting of leaves occurs in autumn.

Reduced temperature for plants can be provided on a cool windowsill. If the glass is frozen with frost, then the pots should be removed away from the window, as the plants can die at temperatures below +10 degrees. In winter, watering is reduced - for tropical species - up to 1 time in 2-3 weeks, for drought-resistant species - up to once a month. Lithops and conophytums are not watered in winter. In plants such as tavaresia, spurge, trichocaulon, the soil between waterings should be thoroughly dried. Crassulaceae (sedum, Kalanchoe and others) are watered more often, without bringing the earth to complete drying. If it is possible to provide plants with bright lighting using artificial lighting, the growing season can be extended. Some species also grow in winter - these are ceropegia, aichrizons. In this case, the plants are watered more frequently and kept at normal temperature.

Diseases and pests

Despite their resistance to adverse factors, succulents, like others houseplants are susceptible to diseases and pests. The most common pests are:

• mealybug (seaside and grape);
• sciarids;
• scab;
• spider mite;
• root worm;
• centipede;
• nematode.

Large pests are harvested by hand, others are sprayed with systemic insecticides: Karbofos, Fufanon, Actellik, Decis and others. Acaricides (Fitoverm, Akarin, Vermitek) help to cope with spider mites. Root bugs, often affecting lithops, gasteria, aloe, can be found during transplantation. The roots are cleaned of pests and treated with potassium permanganate.

When waterlogged, succulents are affected by fungal diseases:

• fusarium rot;
• wet rot;
• powdery mildew;
• gray rot (botrytis).

To combat fungi, the insecticides listed above, a pink solution of potassium permanganate, and special aerosols are used. When buying a product, it should be borne in mind that alcohol-containing aerosols destroy the waxy coating on the green parts of the plant. Sick plants are transplanted into fresh soil, the pots are disinfected.



reproduction

The amazing adaptability of succulents to adverse external conditions affected their ability to reproduce. Most of them easily produce young plants from stems and leaves (especially Crassula). The leaves of bryophyllums are literally hung with children who already have roots. When they fall to the ground, they quickly take root in the soil. At Gaston Bonieri's bryophyllum, babies grow at the ends of leaves hanging right to the ground, so young plants immediately take root in the same place. The vegetative propagation method is faster and more efficient than the seed one. Succulents easily produce interspecific hybrids, while cacti and spurges can be grafted.

When sowing seeds, a substrate is used from the following components:

• leaf ground - 1/3 part;
• sand - 1/3 part;
• crushed coal - 1/3 part.

In most species, the seeds are small and even dusty. Therefore, they are sown in April-March directly on the surface of the earth, then slightly pressed with a flat object. Larger ones are sprinkled with finely sifted earth no more than the height of the seeds. Freshly harvested seeds have the highest germination rate. They cannot be watered from a watering can so that a jet of water does not wash away the ground, instead they are sprayed from a spray bottle. The bowl with seeds is covered with glass or film, kept at a temperature not lower than +25 degrees, they are periodically aired.

Shoots appear after 1-2 weeks, in some species - after 1-2 months (for example, in prickly pear). In the phase of the first true pair of leaves, they are seated and watered 2-3 days after picking. In summer, it is recommended to repeat the pick, as this helps to strengthen the root system and stimulates active growth. Lithops and conophytums do not dive in the first year of life, but only slightly loosen the ground. If the soil surface of the seedlings is hardened or covered with green moss, they are also transplanted, and when mold appears, sprinkle it with crushed coal. Seeds are propagated mainly to obtain new varieties of plants, as well as root succulents, since when cuttings, the daughter plant does not give the parental form. Some euphorbiaceae and cacti do not flower and do not form seeds, so this method is also not applicable for them.

Cuttings of succulents are produced from February to October. In winter, the cuttings take root poorly, as the plants do not have enough heat and light. You can plant individual leaves or branches of small length. The fleshy parts after cutting or breaking out from the mother plant are dried in the air for 1-2 days. Instead of drying, seedlings can be stuck directly into dry ground. For rooting, it is recommended to use a substrate consisting of ¼ of coarse sand and ¾ of full-fledged soil. Crassula leaves are not planted in the ground, but put for a month in a dry place in the shade, after which a young bud appears at the base of the leaf. When planting, the cuttings and leaves are buried by no more than 1 cm. In hot weather, they are sprayed. In water, cuttings and leaves take root much worse, often rot, since such conditions for their reproduction do not correspond to natural ones.



In Gasteria and Haworthia, babies are able to give even parts of a leaf. The size of the pieces should be at least 1 cm. Those leaves that were taken from the top of the flower are best rooted. They are dried and planted in sand. Kalanchoe leaves are cut along the midrib, as a result, a large number of children appear at the cut site. Vine plants can be propagated by sprouting into a nearby pot, where it will quickly take root.

Spherical cacti 4-5 years after planting give lateral shoots that can be easily separated. Often they already have small roots. Columnar cacti, which never produce children in culture, are cut into pieces and planted in a moist substrate for rooting.

succulent plants - perfect option for beginner gardeners. Firstly, they have the ability to accumulate water in the stems or leaves, which means that they can easily “forgive” you for irregular watering. Secondly, the creation of special conditions for succulents is not required. Thirdly, when growing succulents at home, they are very easy to propagate. What plants are succulents and how to cultivate them?

What are succulent plants

Succulents (from Latin succulentus - succulent) are plants with fleshy leaves or stems in which moisture can be stored. Typical succulents are cacti. They mainly grow in areas with an arid climate.

Succulents know how to protect themselves from inconstancy as much as possible natural conditions, storing water and regulating their metabolic processes.

If we talk about what kind of succulents are, then these plants can be divided into two groups - stem and leaf.

Stem succulents. Stem succulents store moisture in a thickened stem. Very often it has a ribbed shape. The leaves of mostly stem succulents are small or degenerated into thorns.

Stem succulents include most cacti, as well as many types of milkweed.

Leaf succulents. Leafy succulents store moisture in thick leaves. Leaf succulents include representatives of the genera:

• lithops;
• echeveria.

The passion for indoor plants, which many people have for a lifetime, usually begins with one or two pots of cacti and a few pots of other succulent plants.

Succulent plants are great for kids because they are easy to care for and won't go wrong if they're forgotten for a long time or mishandled; they are also very easy to propagate.

There are hundreds of succulent plants of various shapes and sizes.

Many of them have leaves collected in a rosette - this arrangement of leaves contributes to less evaporation of water in desert conditions, where many succulents come from.

With age, some of these plants develop into "rosette trees" in which rosettes of leaves top tree-like stems.

Despite the variety of appearances, all succulent plants require the same care. For good growth they need the same conditions that they are accustomed to in their natural habitat - deserts and semi-deserts, i.e. good drainage, sunlight, fresh air, watering during growth, cool and dry soil during dormancy.

For good development and long life, plants need a dormant period in winter and exposure to fresh air in summer.

How to care for succulent plants at home

For successful cultivation and care of succulents, you need to create at least minimal conditions for these plants.

Temperature. Moderate from spring to autumn; unlike most other houseplants, succulent plants like to have quite different night and daytime temperatures.

Lighting. A window sill is best for placement, as the plants require some direct sunlight.

If possible, a south window is chosen; in summer it is shaded from the hot sun.

Watering. From spring to autumn, succulents are treated in the same way as other houseplants, watering them as the soil dries out. In winter, they are watered very rarely: once every one to two months.

Air humidity. In the process of caring for succulents at home, it is not necessary to spray the leaves. But they absolutely need fresh air - in the summer the room should be ventilated.

Transfer. In the spring, transplant into a pot a few large sizes- but only when it's really necessary. Succulent plants are grown in flat pots.

Reproduction. The cuttings root easily. stem, leaf cuttings or shoots are rooted in spring or summer.

Before planting, the cuttings are dried for 1-2 days (large - 1-2 weeks). Water very carefully, do not cover with either polyethylene or glass.

Another method of propagation is by seeds that germinate at 20-25°C.

In the world of flora, succulents occupy a special position. Representing large group plants, they are not related to each other. Numerous association arose, in the literal sense, on arid soil. The conditions in which these plants grow, and the conditions that have developed under their influence appearance flowers, allowed scientists to identify representatives of various families in a separate detachment.

All succulents are characterized by the presence of a dense cover of bristles, hairs, spines. All succulent plants are full-bodied and decorated with fleshy trunks and leaves with a bluish bloom. Both cover and plaque are included in the arsenal protective equipment plants that protect them from death in the absence of moisture. Moreover, it is successfully accumulated by plants in leaves and trunks. The search for water in the depths of the earth is occupied by a powerfully developed root system of succulents.

decorative application

The imposing appearance and amazing adaptability to mean care have made succulent flowers a favorite of landscape designers. Today they are experiencing the peak of popularity and are actively used for arranging alpine slides, rockeries, creating original compositions from succulents in pots.

Considering that the group includes representatives of forty separate families, the decorative possibilities of these plants increase significantly. Agave and kalanchoe, gules and bromeliads, ragwort and glotiphyllum, aiz and aloe allow you to make compositions of amazing beauty in gardens, greenhouses, and on window sills. Succulents are great for framing ponds and pools. Just don't confuse cacti and succulents, since prickly exotics are a family of their own. However, they have so adopted the features of their opponents that they share a decorative demand with them.

Care

The unpretentiousness of plants is so high that even a child can grow succulents at home. And yet, in order not to offend such a large group with a cool attitude, there are certain rules for caring for them.

AT temperature regime plants prefer moderation. It is also important for them that the daytime temperature differs from the nighttime temperature by 4-5 degrees.

In terms of illumination, most succulents prefer bright light, but there are species that need a little shading.

In watering, you should focus on the degree of dryness of the soil. However, it is well known that indoor succulents, left unattended for a week or two, perfectly survive the lack of moisture, because they are naturally ready for this.

The soil is preferred breathable and crumbly. For indoor succulents, it is important to provide a good layer of drainage.

Planting and reproduction

For all succulents, home care begins with proper fit. The landing container should be almost flat. As a substrate, use ordinary forest soil mixed with 1/4 river sand and 1/5 charcoal.

Succulents are propagated by stem cuttings and leaves. The separated stalk cannot be placed in water; it must be allowed to dry for two days, and then planted immediately in the ground. The leaves are simply laid on damp ground, leaving them open. The best time for breeding is from April to August.

If you use succulent seeds for propagation, you should choose well-ripened and fresh material. It is difficult to get one at home, so you should stop at a simpler one, vegetative way breeding.

Important! If you want your homemade succulents to bloom regularly, keep them in ascetic conditions, with poor soil, minimal watering and in a flat pot.

Kinds

For those who are just learning about succulents and caring for them, we have prepared the top 10 most popular species.

Agave Victoria Regina - a representative of leaf varieties. It is interesting for its spherical shape, which is created from dense, 15-20 cm long leaves, with white stripes along the edges. It is photophilous, does not tolerate excess moisture, responding to it with decay of the base of the outlet.

Euphorbia Mil or "crown of thorns", the most popular succulent among beginner gardeners. It is a thorny shrub, the tops of the stems of which are decorated with elongated, dull green leaves. The flowers are collected in complex inflorescences and painted in white, pink and yellow shades.

Echeveria agave well known to many gardeners. As with all succulents, home care for this species does not require much effort. If we talk about decorative qualities, then it is enough to imagine a green rose without a stem, with fleshy leaves covered with a waxy coating. Under favorable conditions, it blooms in early summer, releasing 30-40 cm arrows with red-yellow flowers at the tops.

Stapelia - one of the most decorative species. Both the shape of the flower and the color are admired by everyone who sees it. However, it is worth inhaling the aroma of the slipway flower, and an annoying disappointment sets in: a steady amber of carrion hits your nose. The plant is pollinated by flies, which is why it smells in such a way as to attract insects. But, despite such a controversial argument, gardeners are happy to place slipways in rockeries and alpine slides.