If you’re a low-maintenance gardener, then the resurgence in the popularity of succulents is sensational news.
Succulents are a perfect solution for owners who are preparing their homes for sale with a minimum of fuss.
They’re ideal for either an apartment balcony or a dedicated area of a garden, where colorful varieties really pop against surrounding grey gravel that’s used to retain soil moisture.
Agave and yucca are larger succulents that contrast beautifully with ground-covers like echeverias and stonecrops. Local grasses make great companion plants. They love positions that catch the sun but have shelter from the rain. Aeriated, free-draining soil on a slope is their idea of heaven.
Succulents have become popular because all they need is sunshine and watering every couple of weeks. They’re definitely a set-and-forget plant that’s almost impossible to kill. They’ll brighten any balcony, entertaining area or courtyard whether in terracotta pots or more colorful containers.
There are a couple of watch-outs. They’re not keen on frost and hate being over-watered.
From a property sales perspective, be aware succulents are bad feng shui because many varieties are spikey and can catch your skin or clothing. If your potential buyers value feng shui, this might be an issue.
That aside, succulents with shapely leaves are usually the most popular succulents. Look out for varieties such as sempervivum, haworthia, echeveria, crassula and kalanchoe.
Here are some sensational succulent tips!
- Use succulents in pots to brighten the balcony of an apartment, offering a touch of nature to prospective buyers without the hassle of high maintenance.
- If you’re preparing a house for sale, consider creating a feature using succulents and light grey gravel that’s used to retain moisture. It’s elegant and memorable – the perfect impact on buyers.
- Potted succulents are not just ideal for an apartment but can be positioned around the exterior of a house. Use them to make a feature of an entrance or pathway. Alternatively, put them in window boxes.
- Succulents love sunshine. Bright light is essential for them to thrive.
- Fall or Spring – when the weather is warm rather than hot – is perfect planting time.
- Use a specifically designed potting mix for succulents and slow-release fertiliser.
- Make sure your succulents are in well-drained soil, as they only take the water they need. The rest must drain away.
- Don’t over-water. Once every couple of weeks in summer is enough. You can leave them alone in winter. If the leaves wrinkle, they’re thirsty. When in doubt, don’t water.
- They’re easy to propagate. Plants that make good candidates for propagation have a woody, slightly light-depraved appearance. Again, be careful not to over-water new plants. It’s tempting but a mistake. Really, you can’t kill them. Seriously, they’re survivors!