The Complete Guide to Succulents for Beginners

Succulents have captured the hearts of apartment gardeners, and it’s easy to see why. They are beautiful, varied, and, most importantly, relatively easy to care for. However, “easy to care for” doesn’t mean “impossible to kill.”

This complete guide is made for you, the beginner, who wants to step into the world of succulents on the right foot.

Choosing Your Succulent

Not all succulents are the same. Some love full sun, others prefer indirect light. When buying, look for plants with firm, unblemished leaves. Echeveria and Sedum are great options to start with.

The Perfect Pot and Soil

The number one secret to happy succulents is drainage. Use a pot with holes and a specific substrate for cacti and succulents, which is sandier and does not retain moisture. Never use regular garden soil.

Watering: Less is More

Water thoroughly, but infrequently. Wait for the soil to dry out completely before watering again. In winter, reduce watering even more. Remember: you are more likely to kill a succulent from overwatering than from lack of it.