Succulents are easy to care for and have become highly popular among houseplant lovers because most plants require a moist atmosphere to thrive. However, succulents can retain water for extended periods.
Succulents are excellent plants for beginning gardeners. As a result, they are ideally suited to indoor cultivation and are great for consumers looking for low-maintenance houseplants.
Succulents also humidify the air, which improves indoor air quality even more, and these succulent plants are particularly effective at eliminating toxins from the air. Some houseplant lovers keep these plants in their bedrooms to provide fresh air while sleeping, resulting in a better night’s sleep, and you can also enjoy better sleep.
Are you one of those folks who believes succulents are the simplest plants to grow? Then you are correct. You need to plant them properly, which is simple, and some regular minor maintenance will provide them with an ideal habitat.
In this article, we will show you how to plant a succulent plant in a pot and specific concerns and suggestions that you should follow. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Considerations To Keep In Mind Before Planting Bare Root Succulents
There are a few points to consider. You cannot just put some healthy bare root plant in a container and hope for the best; this seems ludicrous. Thus, there are a few points to consider-
Daylight
Some succulents will grow and survive without direct sunlight, but they are in the percentage and require bright indirect light. Succulents will live in the shadow or low light for a long time but will not thrive. Succulents require at least four to six hours of sunlight to develop effectively; therefore, try to place your succulents near a window to provide them with enough indirect sunlight to grow properly.
Watering and Drainage Hole
The “soak and dry” approach is best for water succulents. Soak the soil well, then allow it to dry thoroughly before watering again. Also, make sure the succulents are in a pot with a drainage hole and are in well-draining soil.
Succulents dislike sitting in water, so soak them and let the water drain to the bottom of the pot. Water only if the soil is rough and dry. But keep the little soil wet at all times unless your succulent roots will rot.
Soil Condition
Succulents thrive in loose sandy potting soil; therefore, adding sand to your potting soil is critical. You may use any sort of sand, but make sure the soil drains well. We suggested combining two parts of sand, two parts of gardening soil, and one part perlite or pumice.
In cups, this equates to 3 cups of sand, 3 cups of soil, and 1.5 cups of perlite or pumice. Pumice or perlite is used to help with aeration and drainage. Don’t use regular thick average soil since succulents in this soil may rot if left in for too long.
Ensure Proper Air-Circulation
Succulents require adequate ventilation to sustain healthy roots and, as a result, healthy stems and leaves. They allow for airflow and allow the soil to dry out quickly. Fresh air means more oxygen, which circulates more readily through the soil, reducing drying time and enhancing root health.
Allow your indoor succulents to breathe properly since succulents require fresh air and excellent ventilation, especially in the summer. So before planting, choose a place where you will put your succulents to have the proper amount of air around.
How To Plant Bare Root Succulents Plant
Now, let’s learn how to plant bare-root succulent plants. Adhere to the protocol in its entirety-
Step 1: Buy a Healthy Succulent Plant
One of the simplest methods to detect if a succulent is healthy is to examine its leaves. Because of their thick and whole leaves, succulents are often referred to as “fat plants.” Succulents retain water in ways that other plants do not by storing most of their water in their leaves.
So, while shopping at a local store, avoid damaged succulent plants by carefully inspecting them for bumps, scars, bugs, and mushy patches. You may gently nudge the leaves to keep them from falling off.
However, if you see any harmful issues on the leaves of succulents, this is one of the first symptoms that a succulent has been overwatered. Damaged succulent leaves feature dead leaf patches around the border and leaves that have become yellow, orange, or brown.
On the opposite side, you may observe some holes in the leaves curling down or leaves becoming black and withering off. So the easiest method to pick healthy succulents is to look at the state of their leaves.
Step 2: Plant The Healthy Succulents in The Pot
After you’ve prepared the soil in the container, it’s planting time for the succulents. The entire planting procedure must be completed in a step-by-step manner. Don’t skip any stages in our whole planting procedure, and follow the advice we’ll provide you in the steps.
- Preparing The Soil, some sources indicate preparing the soil three inches (8 cm.) deep, while others claim six to eight inches (15-20 cm.) deep is required. Make your cactus and succulent potting soil by combining four parts standard potting soil, five parts perlite, and one part coarse builder’s sand. If you’re shifting your succulent to a more prominent planter, ensure the planter is at least 2″ wider than the succulent’s diameter. This will provide plenty of space for your succulent to develop and stabilise.
- Dig The Soil to plant your new acquaintance, and make a funnel or cone-shaped hole in the centre. To avoid scuffing the powdery covering on the leaves, hold your succulent from the top and insert your fingers under the leaves.
- Bury Your Succulent Root Ball. Hold your succulent from the top and tilt it to the side, filling the space with dirt. After filling each side to the succulent base, carefully centre it and press the soil down so that the succulent can properly anchor down. However, add enough soil to reach the plant’s base while not covering any leaves or allowing the leaves to rest on top of the soil. Because they will collect too much moisture from the soil, resulting in rotting leaves.
- Leave some space at the top of your planter container. You need to put some stones on the top of your succulent pot. We prefer to cover the top of the soil with stones to give it a desert appearance. Adding boulders to topsoil also decreases water loss by shading the soil and lowering its temperature. Furthermore, the boulders work as screens when they coat the top layer, preventing drafty air from taking water from the soil.
Step 3: Water Properly After Planting
Succulents should be watered only when the soil has entirely dried up. Many indoor succulent gardeners find that watering their succulents every 14-21 days is an excellent way to keep them alive.
A well-watered succulent will have entire, robust leaves, but how can I determine if my succulent needs water? Squeeze the succulent leaves between your fingers to test this; there should be a little squeeze. If you feel mushy leaves, your succulents need to be watered.
Wrinkled leaves are another clue that your succulents are thirsty, so their leaves pucker and wrinkle. However, do not overwater your succulent as much as possible. Another issue is, how can I tell if my succulent is suffering from an overwatering problem?
Take a look at your succulent leaves, soft and transparent because a plant that has been overwatered will have soft, mushy leaves that may also seem withered. There is a technique to water your succulent without using a spray bottle, producing brittle roots and mildewed foliage.
Put your pots in a pan of water and let the water drain through the drainage hole. Remove from the pan when the surface of the soil feels damp. It’s a highly beneficial approach in which the soil absorbs water as needed.
Common Diseases Of Succulent Plant
Once you plant the Bare Root Succulents, you should worry about your succulents. Succubus maintenance is not strict. You need to keep a few things in mind throughout the week and in your free time.
Black Spot
When succulents are overwatered, their leaves, stems, and roots expand and rupture, resulting in black spots. The leaves seem mushy and practically transparent. If you continue to overwater them, they will die and develop a dark brown/black hue. So, as we advise, try watering your succulents.
Rhizoctonia rot
The soilborne fungus Rhizoctonia solani causes Rhizoctonia root rot. This fungus is prevalent in most soils and persists as sclerotia. The movement of infected soil, plant material, tools, and equipment spreads the illness. To reduce illness introduction and propagation, good sanitation techniques are essential. Remove the plant from the soil and wash the roots under running water to treat root rot.
Phytophthora cactorum
The most severe and dangerous disease of avocado is Phytophthora root rot. Root rot can cause the leaves of infected cuttings to turn a dull green color and wilt. It is hazardous to destroy your succulent plant in an orchard.
Phytophthora root rot control includes using resistant rootstocks, irrigation management, fungicides, fumigation, providing enough soil drainage, and avoiding excessive watering.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose is caused by a fungus that may thrive on affected plant residues and spreads quickly. Anthracnose can develop reddish to dark brown spots on adult leaves, although the leaves do not cup or become twisted.
Reddish to brown irregularly shaped patches or blotches on immature leaves, with diseased leaves sometimes twisted, cupped, or curled. Replant your succulent plants in well-drained soil and water them with a dripping spray to solve this problem.
FAQ
Do you water bare-root plants before planting?
If your plants have been healed or temporarily potted in compost for more than a couple of days, immerse the root system in a pail of water for 20-30 minutes before planting.
Can you plant succulents directly into the soil?
If you wish to grow your succulents outside, you may plant them directly in the ground, in pots, or combine the two. When planting your succulents in the ground, give them six to eight inches of succulent-specific soil.
Which succulent soil is the best?
It is desirable to have sandy, well-draining soil. A soil that contains at least 50% perlite, sand, and other minerals will aid in drainage. The more minerals in the soil, the better the drainage.
How do you propagate succulents from cuttings?
Simply cut through the top or side of the columnar cactus and take a 1-inch-diameter section. Place it on a dry, undisturbed surface and forget about it for a few months. If the cutting stays dry, it will callus and produce roots. After that, it is ready to plant.
Final Words
You have it, folks; these are the procedures you can follow to plant Bare Root Succulents. And do not forget the caring part. Because as long as you will keep caring for your plant, you will keep getting admired for its beauty.
Please do let us know what you think of the procedures.
