Succulence is a survival strategy: water banked in leaves and stems carries the plant through drought. Indoors, that translates to plants such as Peperomia Prostrata and Ceropegia woodii that forgive a missed watering and positively resent an over-eager one. If you travel often or simply forget, succulents are your allies.
The trade-off is light. Most succulents evolved under open sky, so a bright windowsill, ideally with direct sun for part of the day, keeps them compact, colourful and true to form.
Watering and potting right
Water deeply, then let the compost dry out completely before the next drink. In practice that means every couple of weeks in summer and perhaps monthly in winter. A gritty, fast-draining mix is essential, and a pot with a drainage hole is non-negotiable for plants like Senecio rowleyanus variegated.
Stretched, leaning growth means more light is needed. Explore our rosette plants for the sculptural end of the family, the cacti collection for the spiny cousins, or start simple with Lithops sp..
Frequently Asked Questions
Only when the compost has dried out completely: roughly every one to two weeks in summer and as little as monthly in winter. When you do water, water thoroughly until it drains from the pot.
Overwatering is the main way succulents die. If in doubt, wait a few more days; a slightly thirsty succulent recovers, a waterlogged one often does not.
Most want at least a few hours of direct sun to stay compact and keep their colour. A south or west facing windowsill is ideal for the succulent collection.
In lower light, succulents stretch towards the window and lose their tight shape, a process called etiolation that does not reverse.
A fast-draining, gritty mix. Standard houseplant compost holds too much water; a dedicated cacti and succulent substrate keeps roots healthy.
Always use a pot with a drainage hole, and empty any saucer after watering so the roots never stand in water.
Many are, including most Echeveria and Haworthia, but some familiar succulents such as certain Euphorbia have irritant sap. Check the toxicity note on each product page.
Bright windowsills are often out of pet reach anyway, which suits succulents perfectly.
A few dry, papery leaves at the very base are normal: the plant retires its oldest leaves as it grows. Simply pull them away once crisp.
If many leaves shrivel at once while the compost is dry, the plant is thirsty. If they turn soft and translucent instead, it has had too much water.
