Succulents are incredibly easy to look after and need a free-draining soil mix. At the nursery, we use peat-free, multipurpose Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.
compost with 40 percent grit or perlite added to keep the soil free-draining. We always feed our plants in the growing season. If you have an outdoor display, either planted in your garden or in containers, then let Mother Nature do the watering on your behalf. If you have a display indoors, water them every time the soil is bone dry and and when you do water them, thoroughly drench them.
These plants come in every colour of the rainbow. They’re perfect for a small garden, patio or even a windowsill where they will add colourful contemporary style.
Intricate and unusual, there are specimens to fascinate everyone from the hardy spiralling Aloe polyphylla.
To the colourful and ornamental Aeonium ‘Mardi Gras’.
Going vertical
Many A group of plants that have thick, fleshy leaves or stems that are able to store water. This allows them to survive in arid habitats with low moisture.
succulents are perfectly adapted for vertical living. Some originate in remote locations and grow on cliff faces. Their leaves are waxy to protect them from windy and coastal conditions. We used this habitat as inspiration for a vertical garden and living walls.
No soil no problem!
You can use raised beds, planters and pots to create amazing succulent displays. Succulents are well adapted to thrive in small amounts of soil as they store water and To grow well, plants need a wide range of nutrients in various amounts, depending on the individual plant and its stage of growth. The three key plant nutrients usually derived from soil are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, while carbon, oxygen and hydrogen are absorbed from the air. Other vital soil nutrients include magnesium, calcium and sulphur. Most garden soils contain a sufficient amount of nutrients to promote healthy plant growth.
nutrients in their leaves and stems. It’s a great way to create an exotic or tropical garden display in a small space.
Did you know?
It can take aeoniums three to 10 years to flower. And when they do, they produce the most incredible displays, which last for several months and are adored by bees.
Winter care
While aeoniums often grow in winter, their optimal growth temperature is between 15-21°C. Lower temperatures slow their growth but won’t stop it. In extreme cold, protecting aeoniums in a greenhouse can be challenging. Consider trimming Rosettes are the circular arrangement of flower petals; or a cluster of leaves radiating from approximately the same point usually around a stem. Examples include aeonium and most succulent plants, African violets, primula, sempervivums.
rosettes or harvesting entire plants and bringing them indoors. After the cold spell, place the A method of growing new plants from parts of an existing plant, such as sections of root, stem, leaf or bud. When prepared correctly and planted in the right conditions, they can produce roots and eventually become independent plants. There is a wide range of different methods for taking cuttings, depending on the plant and time of year.
cuttings in empty pots without soil. They will sustain themselves, drawing on stored reserves. If another cold snap occurs, bring them back inside. By spring, roots are likely to have developed, and you can pot them up.
Avoid placing aeoniums in a garage, dark room, or enclosed shed during winter. These environments can lead to accelerated leaf drop, leggy stems, and untidy growth by spring – if they survive at all. They also invite pests, leading to further damage. Instead, keep them in bright, cool conditions with adequate airflow for the best results.
When watering aeoniums in winter, you must stay vigilant to the weather. Lower temperatures and diminished light levels mean slower plant growth, reducing the need for watering and feeding.