5 Easy Succulents to Grow Indoors
If you’re looking to add some succulents to your indoor garden, consider starting with some easy succulents to keep the maintenance low and confidence high. Their fleshy leaves and ability to store water make them perfect for busy individuals or those with a less-than-green thumb. If you’re looking to add some greenery to your indoor space, here are five easy succulents to grow indoors.
But first, let’s discuss a few…
Indoor Succulent Care Basics
Before we dive into the specific succulent varieties, let’s go over some basic care tips for growing succulents indoors. First and foremost, succulents thrive in bright, indirect light. Place them near a sunny window or provide them with artificial grow lights for optimal growth.
One of the most critical steps to proper succulent care is planting them in the correct succulent soil and in a well suited succulent pot.
In terms of temperature, most succulents prefer a warm environment, ideally between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 27 degrees Celsius). However, they can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures, especially during their dormant period in the winter.
When it comes to watering succulents, it’s essential to strike the right balance. Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes made by succulent enthusiasts. Succulents like to dry out between waterings, so it’s best to water them thoroughly and then allow the soil to dry completely before watering again. This usually translates to watering every 1-2 weeks, depending on the humidity and season.
Because it’s so critical to proper succulent care, we have included a section at the end of this article that discusses more specifics about watering succulents. But once your done here, I highly recommend scoping our simple guide: Succulent Care 101: How To Water Succulents to get a deeper look at succulent watering and to get yourself a free succulent watering schedule!
Easy Succulents #1: Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)
Aloe vera is one of the most well-known succulents and a popular choice for indoor gardening. Not only does it add a touch of elegance to any space, but it also has numerous medicinal properties. Aloe vera gel is renowned for its soothing and healing effects on the skin, making it a handy plant to have around.
When growing aloe vera indoors, place it in a bright location, preferably near a window where it can receive indirect sunlight. Water the plant deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Aloe vera is also drought-tolerant, so it’s better to underwater than overwater.
Aloe Vera Growing Tips
- Light: Place your Aloe vera in a bright location with indirect sunlight, preferably near a window. It thrives in well-lit conditions but should be shielded from harsh, direct sunlight.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Aloe vera is drought-tolerant, so it’s better to underwater than overwater. Ensure the pot has proper drainage to prevent waterlogged roots.
- Soil: Opt for a well-draining succulent mix, incorporating materials like perlite or sand. This helps mimic its native, arid conditions.
- Temperature: Aloe vera prefers temperatures between 59°F to 77°F (15°C to 25°C) and can tolerate slightly cooler conditions.
- Additional Tips: Aloe vera is not only a stunning succulent but also has medicinal uses. Harvest the gel for its renowned skin-soothing properties.
Easy Succulents #2: Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
The jade plant is a classic succulent that is incredibly easy to care for, making it an ideal choice for beginners. With its glossy, thick leaves and tree-like appearance, it adds a touch of elegance to any room. The jade plant is also believed to bring good luck and prosperity, which is an added bonus!
Place your jade plant in a bright location with indirect sunlight, such as a south-facing window. It can tolerate lower light levels, but it may become leggy and lose its vibrant color. Water the jade plant thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry, but be sure to let it drain completely. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so err on the side of caution and water sparingly.
Jade Plant Growing Tips
- Light: Position your Jade Plant in a well-lit area with indirect sunlight. While it can tolerate lower light levels, exposure to bright, indirect sunlight enhances its vibrancy.
- Watering: Water the Jade Plant when the top inch of soil feels dry, ensuring complete drainage. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it’s advisable to water sparingly.
- Soil: Choose a well-draining succulent mix to prevent waterlogging. This mimics the Jade Plant’s native habitat and promotes healthy root development.
- Temperature: Maintain temperatures between 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C) for optimal growth. Protect it from drafts and sudden temperature fluctuations.
- Additional Tips: The Jade Plant is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. I don’t know about you, but I could use some extra luck and prosperity!
Easy Succulents #3: Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
If you’re looking for a succulent that can tolerate low light levels, the is an excellent choice. Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, this succulent has long, sword-like leaves with vibrant yellow edges, adding a striking focal point to any room.
Snake plants are incredibly forgiving when it comes to watering. They can withstand periods of drought and only require watering when the soil is completely dry. In fact, overwatering can lead to root rot, so it’s best to underwater rather than overwater. Place your snake plant in a well-draining potting mix and position it in a spot with indirect sunlight.
Snake Plant Growing Tips
- Light: Place your Snake Plant in a spot with indirect sunlight. It can tolerate low light levels, making it an excellent choice for spaces with limited natural light.
- Watering: Snake Plants are forgiving when it comes to watering. Allow the soil to completely dry before watering again to prevent overwatering and root rot.
- Soil: Opt for a well-draining potting mix to ensure proper aeration and drainage. This helps prevent issues associated with waterlogged roots.
- Temperature: Snake Plants prefer temperatures between 70°F to 90°F (21°C to 32°C) but can adapt to slightly cooler conditions.
- Additional Tips: With its distinctive appearance, the Snake Plant serves as an attractive focal point in any room.
Easy Succulents #4: Zebra Plant (Haworthia fasciata)
The zebra plant is a small succulent with distinct white stripes on its dark green leaves, resembling a zebra’s markings. It’s a charming addition to any indoor space and is relatively low maintenance.
To care for a zebra plant, place it in a location with bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves. Water the plant when the soil is completely dry, and be sure to use a well-draining potting mix to prevent waterlogged roots.
Zebra Plant Growing Tips
- Light: Place your Zebra Plant in a location with bright, indirect sunlight. Shield it from direct sunlight to prevent leaf scorching.
- Watering: Water the plant when the soil is completely dry. Use a well-draining potting mix to avoid waterlogged roots, ensuring the health of your Zebra Plant.
- Soil: Opt for a well-draining succulent mix, providing the right balance of aeration and moisture retention.
- Temperature: Keep temperatures between 60°F to 75°F (15°C to 24°C). Protect it from extreme temperature variations.
- Additional Tips: The Zebra Plant’s distinctive markings make it a visually appealing choice for succulent enthusiasts.
Easy Succulents #5: Echeveria (Echeveria spp.)
Echeverias are rosette-forming succulents known for their striking and colorful foliage. With a wide variety of species and hybrids available, you can choose from an array of shapes, sizes, and colors to suit your preference. Echeverias are excellent choices for indoor gardening due to their adaptability and low maintenance requirements.
Echeveria Growing Tips
- Light: Place your Echeveria in a location that receives bright, indirect sunlight. While they can tolerate some direct sunlight, it’s essential to avoid prolonged exposure, especially during the intense afternoon sun, as it may cause leaf burn.
- Watering: Echeverias prefer a well-draining soil mix. Water the plant thoroughly when the top inch of the soil feels dry, but be cautious not to overwater. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. In winter, reduce watering frequency as the plant goes through a period of dormancy.
- Soil: Use a cactus or succulent potting mix to ensure proper drainage for your Echeveria. A mix that includes perlite or sand helps prevent waterlogging and promotes aeration around the roots.
- Temperature: Echeverias thrive in temperatures between 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C). They can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures but should be protected from frost.
- Propagation: Echeverias are easily propagated through offsets, which are smaller rosettes that grow at the base of the main plant. Gently separate the offset and plant it in a new container with well-draining soil.
- Additional Tips: Fertilize sparingly during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced, diluted succulent fertilizer. Provide good air circulation around the plant to prevent issues like fungal diseases.
By following the care tips outlined above and choosing the right varieties–low maintenance plants such as aloe vera, jade plant, snake plant, and zebra plant–you can create a beautiful indoor succulent garden that will thrive for years to come.
Choosing the Correct Succulent Soil
One crucial factor in successfully growing succulents indoors is providing them with the right soil. Regular potting soil, which retains too much moisture, can lead to root rot and other issues. Instead, opt for a well-draining succulent soil mix, which you can find at your local garden center or make yourself.
A typical succulent soil mix consists of equal parts of regular potting soil, coarse sand, and perlite or pumice. This combination promotes excellent drainage while still providing enough nutrients for the succulents to thrive. Avoid using heavy garden soils or adding too much organic matter, as this can lead to moisture retention and root rot.
When repotting your succulents, choose a container with drainage holes to prevent water from pooling at the bottom. Additionally, ensure the pot is not too large for the plant, as succulents prefer snug spaces.
How Often to Water Succulents
Knowing when and how much to water your succulents is essential for their overall health and longevity. As mentioned earlier, succulents prefer to dry out between waterings, so it’s important not to overwater them. We have an entire guide about succulent watering frequency here: How Often to Water Succulents (Expert Tips!) or read on for some summarized tips.
The best way to determine if your succulent needs watering is by checking the moisture level of the soil. Stick your finger about an inch into the soil, and if it feels dry, it’s time to water. However, if it’s still moist, wait a few more days before watering.
Another helpful tip is to observe your succulent’s leaves. If they start to look wrinkled or shriveled, it’s a sign that the plant is dehydrated and needs water. On the contrary, if the leaves appear plump and turgid, it means the succulent is well-hydrated and doesn’t require immediate watering.
Remember that environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and the size of the succulent can affect its watering needs. It’s always better to underwater than overwater, as succulents are more tolerant of drought than excessive moisture.
