2GreenSucculents are the easiest plants to keep alive, as long as you understand one thing: they are built to store water and hate sitting in it. Get the soil, the light and the watering right and they more or less look after themselves, which is why they are perfect for water-wise Cape gardens, sunny pots and busy people. Here is how to plant them and keep them thriving.
The whole secret in one line
Bright light, gritty soil that drains fast, and water only when the soil is completely dry. Do those three things and you can grow almost any succulent.
The right soil is everything
More succulents are killed by soggy soil than by anything else. They need a gritty, fast-draining mix that never stays wet. Buy a bag of succulent and cactus mix, or make your own by mixing regular potting soil roughly half-and-half with coarse sand, fine gravel or perlite. In a pot, a drainage hole is essential, and a shallow layer of grit at the bottom helps water clear the roots quickly.
How much light do succulents need?
Most succulents want bright light: several hours of direct or very bright indirect sun a day. Outdoors in the Cape they thrive in full sun once established, though a few soft types can scorch in the harshest afternoon summer sun and prefer morning light. Indoors, give them the brightest windowsill you have. A succulent that is stretching, going pale or leaning toward the window is telling you it needs more light.
How to water succulents
The golden rule is soak and dry. Water thoroughly so the whole root ball is wetted, then do not water again until the soil is completely dry, which might be every one to two weeks in summer and as little as once a month in winter. When in doubt, wait: a thirsty succulent recovers in a day, a drowned one usually does not. Signs of overwatering are soft, translucent, yellowing leaves; signs of thirst are wrinkled, puckered leaves that firm up again after a drink.
| Season | Rough frequency | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (growing) | Every 1 to 2 weeks | Faster drying in heat and wind |
| Winter (resting) | Every 3 to 4 weeks | Cut right back, they rest |
| Indoors | When soil is fully dry | Less light means slower drying |
How to plant a succulent
- 1Choose a pot with a drainage hole, or a spot in a bed with fast-draining soil.
- 2Add a shallow layer of grit or gravel at the base of the pot for drainage.
- 3Fill with gritty succulent mix, then make a small hollow for the plant.
- 4Settle the succulent in so the base of the leaves sits just above the soil, and firm gently.
- 5Top with a thin layer of gravel or fine stone, which sets it off and keeps the neck dry.
- 6Wait a few days, then water. Newly planted succulents like to settle before their first drink.
Easy succulents for South African gardens
Some of the toughest, most rewarding succulents are indigenous to South Africa, so they are perfectly suited to our climate and water-wise gardens:
- โCrassula (including the money plant / jade): tough, fast and very easy.
- โAloes: from small pot aloes to big architectural ones, with winter flowers the birds love.
- โCotyledon (pig's ears): hardy, grey-leaved and forgiving.
- โEcheveria: the classic neat rosettes, lovely in pots and bright light.
- โAeonium, Senecio and Kalanchoe: reliable, widely available and easy to grow.
Grow more for free
Succulents are famously easy to multiply. Most will grow from a single leaf or a cutting: gently twist off a healthy leaf or snip a stem, let the cut end dry and callous for a few days, then lay or plant it on gritty mix and mist lightly until roots appear. It is a satisfying, free way to fill more pots or share plants with friends.
Common mistakes
- โWatering too often, or on a fixed schedule instead of only when the soil is dry.
- โUsing ordinary potting soil that holds too much water.
- โPlanting in a pot with no drainage hole.
- โToo little light, so plants stretch, pale and flop.
- โWatering into the rosette of leaves, which can rot the centre. Water the soil, not the plant.
Succulents are a cornerstone of water-wise, indigenous planting in the Cape, and they work beautifully in low-water beds, rockeries and pots. If you would like a water-wise garden designed and planted, from succulent beds to full landscaping, our team looks after gardens across Paarl and the Winelands.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water succulents?๏ผ
Water thoroughly, then wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again. That is roughly every one to two weeks in summer and every three to four weeks in winter, but always go by the soil, not a fixed day. When in doubt, wait, because succulents recover from thirst far better than from overwatering.
What soil do succulents need?๏ผ
A gritty, fast-draining mix that never stays wet. Use a bought succulent and cactus mix, or make your own by blending potting soil roughly half-and-half with coarse sand, fine gravel or perlite. In pots, a drainage hole is essential.
How much sun do succulents need?๏ผ
Most want bright light, several hours of direct or very bright indirect sun a day. Outdoors in the Cape they thrive in full sun once established, though a few soft types prefer morning sun. Indoors, give them your brightest window. Stretching and pale leaves mean too little light.
Why are my succulent's leaves going soft and yellow?๏ผ
That is the classic sign of overwatering. Let the soil dry out completely, make sure the pot drains, and water less often. Wrinkled, puckered leaves are the opposite, a sign of thirst, and firm up again after a drink.
Can I grow new succulents from leaves?๏ผ
Yes, most succulents grow easily from a leaf or cutting. Twist off a healthy leaf or snip a stem, let the cut end dry for a few days, then lay it on gritty mix and mist lightly until roots and a tiny new plant appear. It is a free, easy way to grow more.
Which succulents are best for South African gardens?๏ผ
Many of the toughest are indigenous, so they suit our climate perfectly: crassula (including the jade or money plant), aloes, cotyledon, echeveria, aeonium, senecio and kalanchoe are all easy, widely available and water-wise.
Do succulents need drainage holes?๏ผ
In pots, yes, a drainage hole is important, because succulents rot if water pools at the roots. If you love a pot with no hole, plant the succulent in a smaller pot that does drain and slip it inside, and never let water collect in the outer pot.