When you live in Michigan, January either looks very white outside or very brown. It’s a pretty good idea to have some kind of foliage in the house since so many other things are dead outside. Depressing, I know.
I’m certainly not known for my green thumb, but I took a risk on some succulents on clearance at Lowes several weeks ago. I think the most expensive one was $2.00? The orange potted one was from Wal-Mart for $2.98. I’m a big spender.
There are really only two tricks to keeping succulents alive. 1. Loose, fast-draining soil. I purchased this at Lowes. It’s very airy (that rhymes). 2. Don’t water them. Well…hardly ever. Right when you think you should water them? Don’t. Fight the urge. And then water them a week later.
The soil could be left as-is, but I bought these jars of crushed shells for $1.50 (again, big money) to keep the soil in a little bit. Plus, it matches the kitchen nicely.
Kinda cute, eh? The white bowls were on clearance at Marshalls. The big one had a chip in it, but I buried it. Literally.
Something else we don’t see a ton of in January is sun, so I put them behind my kitchen sink to catch as much of it as possible. I think that might count as rule #3.
Rocket science? Perhaps not. But I have killed a succulent before, and maybe I can spare you the grief. You’re welcome.
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I love succulents! My husband’s family owns a nursery and sells the succulents online–I actually pack and ship orders. They are so easy to take care of. As long as you don’t freeze or over water them, they should be fine.
I particularly putting an assortment of similar colors in a frame on the wall.
And here’s a tip: if you want to save even more on your succulents, buy “hen and chick” plants. They’ll grow babies every year, they change colors with the season, and they cost less than the fleshy stemmed types.
Argh, I particularly LIKE putting.
Oh, I love succulents and I like your idea with the crushed shells. I always kill plants, even those that supposedly can’t be killed 🙂 but maybe I should give succulents a chance. When I read it here it sounds so easy 🙂
I’m so ready for Spring. If it’s not going to snow, I’m ready to get on with it.
Those would make for some sweet plants in a fairy garden. (My little girl is totally into fairies right now)
-Angie
Great idea as the plants don’t do so well here in our new home–I think it’s the direction our home faces with little sun. In VA I was the plant queen. Here, in MO, they all die! I thought I could try this (they look great) but you need ALOT of sun still, correct?? And I feel your MI blues pain. Born in the UP and grew up in Petoskey. Can we say SNOW?????? But the summers–AAHHHHH!
Actually, this helped me- I never knew there was a certain soil- I have grown lots of these with reg dirt but yours looked great with the crushed shells as well-I did just put one to rest after forgetting it outside in the cold- hate that!
I love the look – and I would totally kill succulants too so any tips are welcome here! It’s been awhile since I tried plants but have thought I should try these – the reason my plants die is usually because I forget to water them till a week or two too late. so maybe, just maybe I would be ok wioth these.
I love cactus and succulents. They are so easy to grow…but I have to say, I have killed a few in my life…LOL…too much water!!! Love the touch of the white pebbles for the topping to them. Good luck with them. 🙂
Love your new plants in the kitchen. Succulents are some of my absolute favorites. I plant them every year outside. I need to find out if I can store them in the basement in winter. Does anyone in blog land know? I have so many when fall comes, then don’t want to throw them out. I lile the purple color that runs thru them. Like the paddle succulent. Love your very small shells. Lovely. I need to remember the special dirt when spring comes. Love you…Mom
I kill all plants I touch. It’s horrible. But I still keep trying (they’re just so cute). I have a friend who has had a potted plant for 15 years – she’s going to teach me her ways, haha.