I think it’s safe to say we’re obsessed with succulents - they come in many shapes, sizes, colors and they won’t hate you forever if you forget about them for a couple weeks. But these little guys aren’t just magical in the home - they also look great chillin’ outside. So when you’re trying to find the perfect place for your new succulent planter, here are some things to consider:
What makes succulents happiest inside?
- Keep an eye on the amount of light they’re getting. 6-8 hours is ideal, but as the seasons change, so does the amount of sunlight spilling into a window in your home.
- South-facing windows tend to get the most light year-round, but you can also play musical chairs and move your succulents with the seasons if your windows face other directions. Because the sun is highest in the sky in summer, except for sunrise and sunset, we actually get less direct sun beaming into our windows.
- Succulents in your home need less water than those outside. With crazy, high temps in the summer, the soil dries out much faster in the great outdoors.
What keeps a succulent content outside?
- While succulents love light, they don’t always love extreme heat. Once temperatures rise above 90°F, succulents are more likely to burn if they’re young or new to being outside. Just like your friend who moved here from the East Coast and took a couple months to appreciate California’s dry heat, plants need time to adjust.
- If you’re moving succulents outside for summer and you have a super sunny spot in mind, let them spend the first few days in full shade, and then over the next couple weeks start moving them a little bit more into the sun over time. This lets them build up their heat tolerance until they’re ready for your sunny spot (especially if that spot is in blazing, afternoon sun instead of cool, morning sun).
A Succulent’s Nightmare
Regardless of if you place your succulents inside or out, they get super fussy about being in sitting water (everybody’s got their thing, yeah?). They tend to do best in planters with holes in the bottom or some way to drain. However if you have them in a closed/sealed container, just be sure to place a layer of gravel in the bottom first (we do this in the shop for some of our planters!) You’ll also have to be a little more conscious about not over-watering them if excess water has nowhere to escape in the bottom.
A Plant as Unique as You.
In either location, succulents may take a bit of trial & error, but don’t get discouraged. There are many types, and they all handle things a little differently - some tolerate the heat better, others hate rooms with drafts, etc… Despite the sheer number of words above talking about how to care for succulents, they’re generally a “less is more” kind of plant, and you’ll find they take relatively less attention than others, so stop on by the shop and adopt your first succulent today!
