Succulents are plants that normally grow in drought-prone desert or semi-desert areas. They have been grown in the garden for centuries, but it is only recently that succulents are seen as an ornamental indoor plant.
So to answer the question,
Can succulents live & grow inside? Yes, succulents indeed can live inside. In fact, they are one of the best varieties of plants to be grown indoors. They have extremely less watering needs, especially under indoor conditions. Succulents are low maintenance plants in comparison with tropical plants. They have unique appearances and vibrant colors that help in enhancing the aesthetic of a place instantly.
- Besides providing a classy look succulents also help in cleansing the air and get rid of toxins like toluene, benzene, etc.
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Can succulents live inside without Sunlight? Do indoor succulents need sun?
No photosynthetic plant cannot live without sunlight. No matter how low maintenance succulents are, they need sunlight to make their own food.
- Without sunlight, their growth will be stunted.
- They can show signs of sunlight deprivation like stretching towards the little light source available and can even die after entering a dormant stage.
Indoor succulents indeed need sunlight to survive. In fact, most succulents prefer indirect sun than direct sun. So it is best to keep them in a room, near a window or in the balcony that gets enough sun throughout the day.
Which succulents are best for indoors?
Ideally, most succulents do well indoors provided you keep them near a window or balcony that gets sufficient indirect filtered bright sun. There are specific few low light friendly succulents that can thrive even in minimal sunlight conditions.
Here are some best low light indoor succulents:
- Aloe Vera
- Snake Plant
- Hawaorthia
- Echeverias
- Schlumbergera
- Ball cactus
- Ponytail Palm tree
- Lace Aloe
- Senecio rowleyanus (String of Pearls)
- Bear Paw
- Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Flaming Katie)
- Euphorbia milii (Crown of Thorns)
Can Succulents Grow indoors in Darkrooms?
Low light friendly succulents can manage to grow under low light conditions however they will need some sort of light source in the room to remain alive.
Low light does not mean dark rooms, there is a difference between low light and complete darkness. Succulents need bright indirect light to thrive.
- Keep them in rooms that get enough sunlight preferably near a south or east-facing windows.
- You can even keep them in your balcony.
- If your rooms are really dark then use artificial grow lights for better results.
How long do succulents live indoors?
This totally is dependent on a variety of factors:
The kind of succulent you have in the first place
Certain succulents like Barrel cactus can even live up to 100 years whereas Hens and chicks can live up to 3 to 5 years.
So how long a succulent can live depends upon its genus type.
The best thing about succulents is they are really easy to propagate.
- You can literally produce multiple offsprings from the same mother plant.
- Succulents can be propagated via both healthy leaves and stem cuttings.
- Once the plant is fully grown it will be a good idea to take its parts and to propagate them in another pot.
Sun Exposure
Low light Succulents can adapt quickly to their environment can grow under indoor conditions.
- However, if you want the plant to thrive, you need to provide them with bright light.
- Otherwise, the growth of the plant will be stunted. Underexposure to the sun can lead to dormancy and eventually will lead to a slow death.
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The Drainage System of the Soil
- The most prominent need for the succulents is drainage friendly soil mixture.
Succulents hate damp soil as that can lead to root rot. So normal potting soil is a big no-no for them.
- Always use cactus mix soil for growing succulents.
- You can even prepare your own soil by mixing potting soil with inorganic components like coarse sand, volcanic rocks, pebbles, pumice in a 1:1 ratio. These components will give the plant enough time to absorb water through the roots after watering and in draining the water quickly from the soil.
Watering Schedule
Succulents unlike tropical plants do not need to be watered every single day.
They have fleshy leaves and grow in drought-prone areas so they are well equipped to store and use water for days.
- Only water succulents when the soil is considerably dry.
- Overwatering can lead to root rot and will kill the plant within days. When in doubt dont water the plant.
They can put up with underwatering but not with overwatering. To be safe you can use a moisture meter to check soil moisture and make your watering schedule accordingly.
Exposure to Fungal or pest manifestations
Fungal and pest manifestations can lead to the premature death of the succulent.
Make sure you are not overwatering the plant and keep an eye over their all-round health.
- Get rid of fallen leaves every week and dont let that accumulate. Dead leaves and branches invite fungal gnats.
- Always use premium quality of soil mix which was properly sealed.
- Avoid watering the upper parts of the plant as water absorption only occurs via roots.
Can Succulents live inside & grow under LED light?
If your home does not get enough sunlight indoors, you can take the help of artificial LED lights for growing succulents.
- For most varieties of succulents, 14 to 16 hours of grow lights are equal to the 4 to 7 hours of bright indirect sun.
- Never keep them under light conditions for more than 16 to 18 hours as absolute darkness of 6 to 8 hours is a must for their optimal growth.
The LED growth lights are a cheaper alternative to fluorescent grow lights. They also last longer in terms of battery and they have bright blue and red lights.
The blue light promotes better overall growth of the plant and keeps it healthy. The red light keeps it in shape while prepping it for the blooming season.
LED lights are never a must and most succulents do well with the sun they get being kept in the balcony or near the window. But, if you have a full sun-loving succulent that prefers plenty of sunlight owing to frost during winter then you can opt for LED lights.
FAQ:
When should succulents be Repotted?
You should look for repotting your succulent owing to the following reasons:
- The succulent is showing signs of overwatering and root rot
- The soil mixture of the current pot does not facilitate drainage
- For normal maintenance (repotting every 2 years is a healthy process)
In case your succulent is showing signs of overwatering, carefully take the plant out of the soil, and check for root rot. If there are signs of rot you need to do a bit of operation and get rid of the soil and rotten portions from the whole plant body. Then repot them in a new potting mixture.
- The soil mixture needs to be of cactus variety as that facilitates drainage.
- Succulents hate moisture content in the soil so it’s better if you have drainage holes in the pot that will help in getting rid of the water faster.
How do you care for indoor succulents?
- Do a basic study of the needs of the particular variant of succulent you have. You can ask about it while buying from your local nursery or can find its sunlight, watering, fertilizer needs.
- Place it in a room that gets sufficient sunlight throughout the day, keep an eye out if it shows signs of stretching.
- Water it only when the soil is dry. Succulents like to be watered a little more frequently during growing seasons than in winter.
- Plant it in a cactus mix soil and use a terra cotta made pot if possible as it facilitates better water drainage.
- Fertilize it if you want with a balanced fertilizer before the start of the growing season and never during the dormancy period.
Conclusion
Succulents are one of the best plants to grow indoors. To, to sum up, the question of “can succulents live inside?”
Yes, they can not only grow but thrive wonderfully indoors. Even if you have a busy routine or have no idea regarding gardening, succulents can just be the ideal plants for you.
- They can tolerate neglect to some extent and have fewer desires than other species.
- As long as you fullfil their basic needs, they can take care of themselves quite well.
What succulent are you planning to grow indoors? Is it one of the succulents from the list above or it’s a different one?
If you have any queries regarding growing succulent indoors, then do not hesitate to comment below!
Cheers!
