Succulents make excellent groundcover, and they also make a really fabulous display when planted in a container.
They can store water in their fleshy leaves enabling them to cope with long periods of drought needing only occasional watering, so will thrive in a container.
They are undemanding plants, and propagation is very easy.
When planting a larger single variety of succulent, a ceramic container is ideal. However, if planting several succulents in one container then a resin or plastic container is preferable. Succulents can be grown in window boxes, hanging baskets, circular or square pots and containers, and if you choose to grow a selection of plants do consider the size of the container as succulents spread quickly. Above all, these plants need good drainage so plenty of drainage holes are a must.
There are many different sizes and shapes to these delightful plants, some form small rosettes, while others grow taller with fleshy stems topped with flowers, which are especially attractive to bees and butterflies.
The soil needs to be low-nutrient and well-drained as succulents mainly originate from deserts and dry arid areas.
The choice and combination of plants available is mouthwatering, especially if you decide to plant different varieties together in one container. Some stunning popular varieties are : Portulaca ‘Pizazz’ that trails over the side of the pot. It has gorgeous vividly coloured flowers.
- Cressula Ovata has red-edged leaves and the Echaveria ‘Raindrops’ has pretty rosette-shaped leaves.
- Kalanchoe Sexangolaris is a very hardy small succulent shrub with wine red leaves that spread if positioned in full sun.
- The Sedum Nussbaumerianum has fleshy orange-tinged foliage and the Portulacaria Afra Variegata has pretty variegated leaves.
- Colourful Aeonium ‘sun up’ along with the gorgeous dainty little succulent Delosperma Cooperi (Ice plant) that has tiny white, yellow, pink or peach flowers.
