We all know that succulents are so beautiful on their own. In fact, they are the perfect choice in creating a very attractive succulent arrangement, as one wouldn't need much effort at all to make them stand out!
But you need to know some basics of taking care of them if you want to enjoy your masterpiece for many months to come! So below are our simple tips to help you care for and maintain your succulent arrangement.
WATER ACCORDINGLY
Watering succulent arrangements is not a difficult task, nor is it complicated. But you'll have to be wary as the most common issue with succulents is often caused by watering.
With that in mind, always water your succulents by soaking the soil directly until it runs out of the drainage holes. In case you only need to water 1 or 2 succulents on your arrangement, or it's too full and doesn't have much space between the plants, making it hard for you to water them without wetting their leaves, then you can use a spray bottle.
To use the spray bottle in watering your succulents, you simply need to set it on stream setting (do NOTmist). This way, the water that comes out of the spray bottle will focus more on the soil of the succulents that only need watering, and at the same time, avoid their foliage from getting wet.
Aside from using a spray bottle, you can also bottom-water your succulents, as long as the combination of plants you used in your arrangement has similar watering needs, and at the same time, you have used a container with drainage holes. Otherwise, it's best to top-water your succulents.
To apply bottom-watering, all you have to do is to place your succulents in a tray or a large basin filled with water for about 5-15 minutes or until the soil is moist all the way to the top. Allow any excess water to flow out from the drainage hole for a few minutes before displaying them again.
Additionally, if you are still unsure whether it's already time to water your succulents or not, another way to help you determine this is to feel if the top 1.25 inches of the soil is already dry using a finger. If it's dry, then grab your watering can and give your succulents a good soak.
LIGHT EXPOSURE
How much sunlight your succulent arrangement needs depends on the type you have chosen. But mostly, they will require at least 6-8 hours of bright indirect sunlight a day to thrive or 4 hours of direct morning light. It's crucial to keep this in mind, as succulents tend to stretch out and lose their vibrancy if they are not getting enough light per day. So, if you live in a zone that doesn't get much sunlight, then consider using a grow light.
Additionally, it is also necessary to keep a warm temperature in the area where your succulents are located. They would like about 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit during summer and 50-60 Fahrenheit in the winter months.
KEEP YOUR SUCCULENTS CLEAN
Naturally, your succulent arrangements will pick up dust or develop dead leaves on the underside, which can hinder their growth. With that in mind, it's important to regularly check them to remove any dead leaves and to clean them up gently with a damp cloth.
If you see some weeds begin to grow, you can simply pull them out or put in some rocks, pebbles, gravel, or sand on the topsoil to prevent weeds from growing on your succulent arrangements.
PRUNE THEM
Generally, succulents are pretty slow growers. But over time, you'll see that they will slowly start to look crowded and untidy, and this is when pruning comes into play.
Succulents can be prune anytime. However, it's always best to do it at the beginning of their growing season. If you choose to prune your succulents at the end of their growing season, new growth may not appear as quickly compared to pruning them during their active season.
To start pruning your succulents, you first need to get yourself a proper pruning tool like bonsai scissors. Whatever tool you use to prune your succulents, make sure that they are clean and sterilized before using them for your succulents. This is to prevent any possible infections and diseases from being transferred between plants.
After getting yourself a pruning tool, the next thing you need to do is to decide which of your succulents needs to have their heads chopped off, like the one that looks a little stretched. Simply cut off the tops and leave the cutting to callus. You can use the cutting to either fill your arrangements or make a new one.
Also, always be on the lookout for dying or already dead succulents in your arrangement while pruning. When you see one, remember to remove them from your arrangement as they can cause problems like decaying, spreading diseases, or even rot to the other succulents in the arrangement.
You can also watch this video to see some of the tips in action:
SEE MORE ABOUT WHICH SUCCULENTS CAN BE PLANTED TOGETHER IN AN ARRANGEMENT
