Are you constantly asking yourself, “Everyone says they’re so easy to care for, so why do I keep killing mine?” Are you struggling to keep your succulents alive? Currently, in our home, we have over 10 different types of succulents, and I love being able to share with others how I keep them all healthy and happy.

My succulents are not only incredibly beautiful but are also very sentimental because they were used as table decorations at our wedding. With Caleb’s parents’ help in July of 2016, we successfully transported over 20 baby succulents to and from Davis, West Virginia, to use as part of the table decorations at our wedding reception in Canaan Valley Resort. We have since potted our succulents in new planters. They are all doing extremely well, and today, I am sharing my green thumb secrets for keeping my succulents alive and thriving!

How to Keep Your Succulents Alive

Let There Be Light!

We are lucky enough to have plenty of windows in our home, giving our plants plenty of light. Some succulents love direct light, causing them to flower or change brilliant colors. Other types of succulents will burn in direct sunlight. Typically, most succulents will be satisfied with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.

Use Quality Soil 

The soil that I have had great success with is one that is a blend of organic material, sand, and Perlite. Perlite is sometimes overlooked as styrofoam but it actually serves an important job to keep the soil fluffy for adequate airflow and keeping the soil from staying too wet. If the soil stays too wet it will get moldy and/or drown the plant. I use Nature’s Care Organic Potting Soil for all of my houseplants and I add perlite to it. My magic ratio is 80% soil to 20% perlite.

Easy on the H20

Succulents are not very needy and only require water once every two weeks or so. They require more water in the summer when they are in the sunlight for extended periods of time and less water in the winter. In the winter since it is cooler and there is less daylight the soil will stay damper longer Be careful not to over-water your plant because you could drown it or cause the roots to rot. If you are concerned about over-watering your plant you can fill a water bottle and spritz your plants once a week. When transplanting a succulent it is important to make sure your soil is damp.

Home Sweet Home

You need to choose a planter that has proper drainage and allows your succulent to breathe. A closed terrarium is not a good idea because although it allows light, it does not allow the plant to breathe. Terra cotta planters have worked really well for me because they have drainage holes (most come with a saucer), they are inexpensive, and allow for proper airflow for both the plant and soil.

Succulents Like Fertilizer, Too!

I take vitamins to ensure I am getting all the nutrients I need, and just like us, your succulents can benefit from supplements too. Succulents can get the majority of the nutrients they need directly from the soil, but feeding them can help them grow stronger, and faster, and change brilliant colors.

Be careful to use fertilizer or “plant food” specifically for succulents; otherwise, you can burn and/or kill them. I only feed my succulents once a month with EarthPods Organic Cactus, Succulent, Aloe, & Jade Fertilizer. I love that it is all-natural and pet-safe, too!