A vertical garden is a great way to add life and greenery to a small space. Succulents make excellent plants for vertical gardens because they are hardy and low-maintenance, and come in a wide variety of shapes and textures.
Some of the best succulents for vertical gardens include Hens-and-Chicks (Sempervivum spp. ), Sticks on Fire (Euphorbia tirucalli), Echeveria ‘Duchess of Nuremberg’ and ‘Blue Sky’ varieties, Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii), Baby Toes (Fenestraria rarus), Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum), Soft-Leafed Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora), and String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus).
Many of these succulents are drought tolerant and require little water, making them well-suited for dry vertical gardens- just remember to give them plenty of sunlight and provide drainage and air circulation at the base of the wall.
Vertical succulent gardens are unique and visually stunning, and make for great conversation pieces in any space.
How do you build a vertical succulent wall?
Building a vertical succulent wall is a great way to add a unique statement to any space. Succulents are great for a “living wall” because of their hardy nature and ability to thrive with little water.
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
•Shallow trays with appropriately sized drainage holes
•Potting soil
•A variety of succulents, purchased from a local gardening center
•Something to hold the plants in place, like corkboard pieces or wood
To begin assembling your vertical succulent wall, attach your corkboard pieces or wood together to form a sturdy backing. Place two shallow trays at the top and bottom of your backing, and fill each tray with potting soil.
Now you can begin planting your succulents. Start with the largest succulents, planting them as close to the backing as possible as you work your way down. Alternate between types of succulents, using smaller varieties to fill in gaps between the larger ones.
Continue to fill in any remaining gaps with soil.
Once your vertical succulent wall is complete, water it carefully and make sure the potting soil is evenly damp. Hang the succulent wall in a place that offers the right amount of indirect sunlight and protects the succulents from too much heat.
You should check the moisture in the soil once or twice a week, and water your succulents when the soil begins to feel dry. With just a little bit of attention, your vertical succulent wall will stay looking vibrant and show stopping for years to come.
Do succulents need sun?
Yes, succulents need sun to survive, thrive and continue to flower. Succulents are adapted to the desert environment where they are exposed to long hours of direct sunlight. While not all succulents require full sun, they do need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
If you are growing succulents indoors, place them in a south or west-facing window that gets plenty of light. When caring for outdoor succulents, plant them in bright, sunny spots that can get at least 6 hours of sun a day.
Too much shade will cause the succulents to become weak and leggy, so you want to make sure the succulents get enough sun for healthy growth. Additionally, succulents need a few hours of high-light during the morning when the light is the strongest, and longer light exposure during the late afternoon and early evening.
Ultimately, the amount of sun a succulent needs will depend on the type of succulent you have, so it is a good idea to research your specific succulent to get a better understanding of its sun requirements.
How much sun does a succulent wall need?
Succulent walls typically require bright, indirect sunlight in order to thrive. They should be placed near a window that receives plenty of light, but not necessarily direct sunlight. It’s important to note that succulents are sensitive to scorching sun, so try to find a spot that gets bright light but avoids midday sun.
It might also be necessary to place a sheer curtain over the window to reduce the amount of direct sunlight on the wall. Depending on the species of succulent, 4-6 hours of sunlight a day may suffice.
As with any plant, it’s important to keep an eye on your succulent wall and make adjustments as needed so plants don’t get too much or too little sun exposure.
Do you water succulents from the top or bottom?
When it comes to watering succulents, it is best to water from the bottom. This is because they prefer to be watered from the bottom as this mimics their natural environment. To water from the bottom, you can fill a bowl or tray with 1-2 inches of fresh water and place your pot in the tray.
Allow the water to absorb up through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, and after 15 minutes, throw away the extra water still in the bowl. This will ensure you don’t over water and lead to areas of the pot staying saturated for too long, which can lead to root rot and ultimately death of the plant.
How do I know if my succulent needs water?
Succulents are relatively low maintenance plants, but it is still important to know when it is time to water them. To tell if your succulent needs water, there are several signs to look for. Most notably, you can physically check the soil to see if it is still moist.
If the soil is dry, or nearly dry, your succulent likely needs water. You can also look at the succulent itself; if it is starting to look wilted, this is a sign that it needs more water. Additionally, the leaves may start to look wrinkled.
In addition to these physical signs, you can also look out for changes in color; if the leaves are starting to look faded or yellow, this is an indication that your succulent needs more water. Finally, keep an eye on the temperature.
If the temperature is higher than normal, your succulent will dry out more quickly and need more frequent watering.
Can succulents live inside without sunlight?
Yes, succulents can absolutely live inside without sunlight! In fact, many succulents can do quite well and even thrive indoors with no direct sunlight. However, you will need to ensure that the indoor environment for your succulents is bright, indirect sunlight such as near a window or a few feet away from a window.
Additionally, you will want to make sure that the succulents are not exposed to temperatures fluctuating too much, as this can be detrimental to the health of the plant.
Depending on your specific succulent, you may want to also ensure it gets either artificial or grow light at some point during the day or during certain times of the year. This can help provide ample lighting for the succulent even when there is no direct sunlight exposure.
Lastly, be sure to water your succulents properly. While your succulent may not be exposed to the warm, dry air of its native environment, it still requires regular and sufficient hydration to thrive.
Let soil dry completely between waterings.
Can you bring succulents inside for winter?
Yes, you can bring succulents inside for winter and it is actually a great way to ensure that your succulents survive the cold winter months. When your succulent is indoors, it is important to give them bright but indirect light, as too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves to scorch.
When you bring succulents inside, you should increase their watering schedule and make sure to use an all-purpose cactus mix or organic soil with perlite to promote drainage. Before bringing them inside, you should also give your succulents a good shower with a gentle shower nozzle to remove dust and debris.
You should also mist the succulents often to prevent spider mites, which can build up in colder temperatures. Lastly, make sure to provide good ventilation to prevent other types of insect infestations.
Taking these steps can help to ensure that your succulents will thrive indoors.
Why is my succulent dying?
From lack of water to diseases and pests. If the succulent’s leaves are turning yellow and/or brown, there are a few likely causes. The most common cause is too much water, meaning you may be keeping your succulent too wet and not allowing it to dry out between waterings.
Too little light can also be a problem, especially if you are keeping it indoors and it’s not getting enough sun. Certain pests, such as mealybugs, can also be to blame. Finally, there are a variety of diseases that can affect succulents, including root rot and fungal infections.
If your succulent is still alive, there are a few steps you can take to try and save it. Begin by making sure you’re providing it with the correct amount of water, usually about once every two weeks, depending on conditions.
Giving it more light can also help, which may mean moving it closer to a window or even outside. If you notice any signs of pests, such as tiny spots or webs, you can spray it with neem oil or a similar product.
Finally, make sure you’re re-potting your succulent every few years, to prevent root rot and other diseases caused by poor soil drainage.
How do I water my wall plants?
Watering wall plants can be a bit tricky since they are mounted on a vertical surface and not in the ground. One of the most important things to consider when watering your wall plants is the humidity.
Many wall plants prefer high humidity and some require daily misting. If you have an area with a lot of humidity, like a bathroom, you may be able to get away with less frequent watering of your wall plants.
Another factor to consider when watering wall plants is root depth. Depending on the type of wall planters you are using, the roots on your plants may not be able to reach down very far. As a result, you will likely need to water the plants much more frequently than you would a plant in the ground.
The best way to water wall plants is to slowly pour water into the planter until it is almost full. Check the potting mix for moisture before you begin and make sure that it is evenly moist before adding more water.
Leave the potting mix to settle for a few minutes and then repeat the process until the water begins to drain from the base of the planter. Once the water is drained, take the planter off the wall and check the roots of your plants to make sure they are not sitting in excess water or feeling soggy.
It is also important to make sure that you don’t overwater your wall plants. Too much water can damage their roots and lead to rot. Aim to water your plants when the top inch or two of potting mix feels dry.
This will ensure that your plants don’t become waterlogged and that they are able to get the moisture they need.
