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Succulents are the perfect option for anyone seeking a low-water, low-maintenance, textured garden that thrives in the summer heat. Far from the large cacti or spiky houseplants many imagine, succulents offer a wide range of hardy, funky options with stunning colours and shapes to suit any location.

Prepare Soil

Garden: Succulents demand excellent drainage, so sandy or well-drained soils are ideal. To enhance drainage, mix coarse sand or gravel into your garden soil.

Pots: Use a specialised mix like Oderings Shrub & Tub Mix. This bark-based potting media provides exceptional drainage and a nine-month slow-release fertiliser to keep your succulents thriving.

Feed

Succulents benefit from slow-release fertiliser to support steady growth and maintain their vibrant colours. Oderings Shrub & Tub Mix is pre-fertilised, but you can apply a balanced fertiliser during the growing season for succulents. Avoid over-fertilising, as it can encourage excessive growth that weakens the plants.

Garden: Feed with Oderings Garden Replenish in spring – avoid contact with the leaves.

Pots: Feed with a liquid fertiliser monthly in spring and summer, or feed with Oderings. Total Replenish in spring.

Plant Varieties to Explore

Sempervirens: These succulents range from lush greens to deep reds and form clumps of stunning rosettes. Hardy and sun-loving, Sempervirens are great for both pots and gardens. Popular varieties include Crimsonette, Noire, and Green Wonder.

Sedums: Known for their striking colours and architectural shapes, Sedums can be trailing or upright. Trailing Sedums like Acre, Goldform, and Dragons Blood suit baskets and rockeries, while upright types like Rubrotinctum (jellybean plant!), Gold Digger, and Forsterianum Silverstone make bold statements in pots or garden beds.

Echeverias: Echeverias feature fleshy leaves in tight rosettes and bloom in summer with brightly coloured flowers on tall spikes. Varieties like Nodulosa and Zipper are favourites for their unique patterns and colours.

Watering

Succulents are drought-tolerant, but they still need occasional watering. Here’s how to tell when to water:

Underwatering: Leaves appear wrinkled or dehydrated.

Overwatering: Leaves become soft, squishy, or translucent and may drop off.

During the growing season, water thoroughly when the soil is dry. From February to March, reduce watering, and by April, water only when the plants look dry to encourage them to use the water stored in their leaves. This helps prevent frost damage.

Protection

Succulents are generally hardy but can be damaged by frost. During colder months, protect outdoor succulents with frost cloth and move potted succulents to sheltered areas if possible.

Garden Expert Tip

Succulents are incredibly versatile and can thrive indoors or outdoors. Mix varieties like Sempervirens, Sedums, and Echeverias for a garden that’s not only drought-tolerant but visually stunning year-round.

Whether creating a statement garden or adding a touch of greenery to your home, succulents are a stylish, easy-care choice. Explore our range and supplies online to get started.