They are referred to as succulents, and they can survive in arid soil. Named after the engorged, swollen, and fleshy sections of the plant, which are referred to as "juice" in Latin, the word sucus.

Watering

Succulents, fortunately, are effective water savers and can store a lot of water in their fleshy leaves. However, if they are not adequately hydrated, they can shrivel up and even pass away.

Giving a succulent a good soak that allows the rainwater to permeate the soil deeply is the best approach to hydrate it. For moisture levels, you can also examine the plant's base. Step two should be taken if the base is dry.

A succulent's type, climate, and environment are just a few of the variables that affect how much water it needs to grow. Most succulents will, however, require less water in the winter and more in the summer.

Less watering should be done on your succulents if you live in a humid area. This is due to the possibility of fungus growth being aided by excess moisture. Furthermore, bacterial growth thrives in wet soil, which can rot plants.

Try to choose a pot that has a drainage hole for the best results. In addition to encouraging aeration, this will assist avoid root rot.

When watering a potted succulent, it's a good idea to let it drain for at least 10 minutes before adding any water. To stop water from leaking out, you can also use a decorative outer pot.

The soil's moisture content can be determined using a hygrometer. You should water if the top inch or two are dry.

Although there are many different varieties of succulents, the majority of them require less water than others. They were created to endure in arid, hostile conditions, which explains why.

When succulents are properly watered, they develop strong roots that can quickly absorb water. You should also water your succulents when the soil is completely dry.

pH of the soil

An essential component of growing succulents is having the right soil pH. They can exhibit signs like as stunted development, yellowing leaves, rotting roots, and other issues because they are sensitive to changes in their environment.

By purchasing a soil pH test kit, you can determine the pH of the soil where your succulent plants are growing the best. You can buy these online or at a number of nearby garden centers. The cooperative extension offices in your community also carry them. They will be able to give you recommendations on how to set the pH of your soil to the appropriate value.

A reverse osmosis RO filter that will control the pH of your water is another option you have. If your tap water is hard, we advise doing this. To lower the pH in your water, you can also add white vinegar.

An acidic soil is ideal for succulent growth. Minerals like phosphorus and nitrogen are accessible in this type of soil.

Potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus are the three main nutrients needed for wholesome plant growth. Plants need magnesium and sulfur in lesser quantities. The majority of micronutrients are harder to acquire at high pH levels, while calcium is less readily available.

Don't forget to apply the proper dosage while adding fertilizer. Two pounds of sulfur per 100 square feet should be the absolute maximum amount added. Plants can be harmed by sulfuric acid, which must be converted over time.

Nearly all garden centers sell soil pH test kits. Testing the pH of your water is another option. These are useful for figuring out the pH of the soil in which your succulents will grow and the recommended watering levels.

Correcting any secondary and micronutrient deficiencies will be simpler when your pH is at the ideal level. Utilizing organic resources like compost is also beneficial. Your succulent gets nutrients as a result of this breaking down.

Temporal range

Depending on the succulent, different temperatures are ideal for succulent plants. Some species can survive in a wide variety of temperatures, whereas others are more comfortable in colder climates. Regardless of the variety, understanding the ideal temperature for your succulent plants can help you take care of them during the winter months.

The ideal temperature range for many succulents is 45 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 to 29 degrees Celsius) during the day. It is preferable for the nighttime temperature to be between 86 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit.

Even though some succulents can tolerate temperatures below freezing, it is not advisable to use them outside. On the plant's stem and leaves, ice crystals can develop and cause cell wall rupturing. The plant will eventually die because the mushy stems will rot.

The heat of the sun won't harm some succulent species. Extreme heat, however, can harm plants by burning them, causing them to wither and develop brown spots on their leaves. These symptoms point to stress on the plant, which calls for relocation to a cooler environment.

Some succulents have developed adaptations to subzero temperatures and can withstand lows of -20 degrees Fahrenheit. In the colder months, if your succulents are planted outside, cover them with frost blankets to prevent damage from freezing.

Even 90 degree temps won't harm certain succulents. These kinds of succulents, also known as "heat-stressed" plants, will start to show signs of deterioration such as brown spots and withering leaves. They ought to be planted in a container or, better yet, covered with shade cloth.

It might be quite advantageous for gardeners for a succulent to be able to survive a wide range of temperatures. They require little maintenance and are simple to grow.

Habitats

Succulent plants thrive in a variety of habitats and are frequently cultivated as ornamentals. Despite the fact that many succulent plants are grown in humid or tropical environments, some are found in deserts.

Typically hardy plants with low water needs, succulents can withstand dry spells. To conserve their limited water supply, these plants have developed unique mechanisms. For protection against moisture evaporation, they use waxy cuticles. Additionally, they have fleshy leaves that have thickened edges to reduce the surface area through which water is lost.

In many regions of the world, succulents are native. In arid, tropical, and alpine ecosystems, they can be found. Others blend in with the dry stems of shrubs, while some species of succulents can go months without receiving any moisture. On the mossy rock faces, some plants flourish.

Both Africa and North America are the home of succulents. Succulent plants grow in abundance in South Africa's Karoo. It is flat and hilly in the Karoo, an arid or semi-arid area. Between the southwest coast of Namibia and the southern coast of South Africa is where it is situated. In the Karoo, it doesn't rain very much.

Succulents are able to thrive in conditions of extreme cold, dryness, and light. Rock outcrops, forests, and infertile soil are just a few of the environments in which they can flourish. There is a superstition that certain succulents can guard against death and bad luck.

Succulents have additionally been utilized as food and medicinal plants. Some plants have a high toxicity level. The tropical rainforests are also home to a number of succulent species. Along South America's west coast, there are a number of native succulent species.

On every continent, succulents are present. Africa is where succulents are found in the greatest abundance.

Classification

Succulent plant species have developed in a variety of habitats, and they can display a broad spectrum of physiological reactions to the environment. Through physiological adjustments, many have adapted to aridity. On the other hand, habitat loss and unsustainable harvesting for the horticultural trade put a number of succulent species at risk.

Succulent plants thrive in a variety of ecosystems all over the world despite these pressures. Identifiable spine clusters, which are present in all species of the family, allow them to be differentiated from one another. The leaves of most species have been altered. While others have leaves with adaxial/abaxial domains, some have a central parenchyma for water storage.

A pericarpel, which is a thick, succulent layer that encases the entire pericarpel, is also present in some leaves. This tissue enables the simultaneous occurrence of water storing and photosynthesis. The underground chlorenchyma can receive light through a translucent window in the pericarpel.

When temperatures drop, the majority of succulents are susceptible to frost damage. Injuries from dehydration can also occur when negative turgor pressures are present. Certain succulents have developed specialized epidermal bladder cells that can hold salt crystals in response to these environmental conditions. These unique succulence patterns can also be seen in some halophytes. High salt concentrations are accumulated, and they draw water from areas with low water potential.

It's been suggested that the development of greater succulence is related to three-dimensional venation. According to some studies, this venation's primary cause may not be hydraulic connectivity. The cause may instead be sluggish water metering in between downpours.

Several taxa of succulents have had their genomes sequenced as well. New knowledge on the operation of these plants' organs may be made available by this research. The sequenced genomes may be used as drought-resistant model organisms.