Succulent Guide Learn all about the succulents you re working with and how to care for them!
Why You Should Know About Your Succulents
Why it s important to know about succulents! Customers are coming to events expecting to learn something from YOU! That said, there are HUNDREDS of species of each type of succulents, and there are entire Facebook groups and forums online where people post pictures and debate the particular type/name of succulents. There are also many hybrid varieties. Many types share characteristics and can be difficult to distinguish from each other. However, exhibiting a knowledge of and ability to identify characteristics of the basic categories of succulents will add a richness to the customer experience. Study these, know them, blow customers minds! This training is not meant to be viewed by customers!
Succulent Knowledge Learn everything you need to run a great event and sound knowledgeable!
Standard/Common Types Here are the most common succulents that you will see at your events! While you may not be able to identify EVERY type, you should know these: Echeveria Pachyveria Graptoveria Sempervivum Jade Gollum Jade Kalanchoe Thrysiflora Aloe Additional Plants to know about: Sedum Graptopetalum Aeonium
Echeveria These are very popular. Rosette-forming and easy-care Echeveria come in a rainbow of colors and types. Caring Tips Seasonality: These are summer growers Water: They can tolerate long dry periods, but ideally, you should lightly water them once every one-two weeks in the summer and once every month in the winter. Sun: Generally, the more sun they get, the better the color and shape will be. You should, however, avoid too much direct sunlight. Woolly Rose Echeveria (Also known as Doris Taylor) These are attractive succulents that form rosettes of pale-green, fleshy leaves covered with small white hairs!
Echeveria mixes! When you mix Echeveria with Graptopetalum, you get babies called Graptoveria! When you mix Echeveria with Pachyphytum, you get Pachyveria! Pachyveria Graptoveria Note: These are a cross between a Pachyphytum and Echeveria. These typically have chunky and colorful rosettes and pointy leaves! Note: These can be tough to decipher from the pure breads. So, when in doubt, we recommend calling it an Echeveria! If you re confused and can t quiet tell what it is, it is likely a hybrid.
Sempervivum Description: These are much like the Echeveria, but the ends are pointier and they tend to change color throughout the year! Caring Tips Seasonality: These are summer growers Water: They can tolerate long dry periods, so you should only water these when you see fit. Feel the soil on top of your potting and if it feels dry, give them a few sprays of water! Sun: Generally, the more sun they get, the better. However, during the hottest time of the day, they should stay away from direct light. Note: these are monocarpic which means they bloom once and then the flower will die. These flowers are called chicks, and you can expect to see them multiple times!
Sempervivum Hens and Chicks Chicks are small, identical plants that are slightly offset form their mother (the bigger plant - the hen). Differentiators: Echeveria Elegans: They form flat, flowerlike rosettes with rounded edges. Sempervivum Tectorum: These also form rosettes, but each leaf tends to be flatter and more pointed Echeveria Elegans Sempervivum Tectorum
Jade (Money Plant / Dollar Plant) The Jade plant is an extremely popular succulent houseplant. These have shrub-like form with thick branches and smooth, oval-shaped leaves. These were once thought to bring good luck to their owners! Caring Tips Seasonality: These are summer growers Water: Jade plants want just the right amount of water. Don t water them on a schedule. Instead, water them based on how wet/dry the soil feels. You never want it to dry out completely, but you want to avoid drowning them! Sun: If they are in the sun, they are happy. Ideal weather for them is 56-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Crassula Falcata Propeller Plant
Gollum Jade (Finder Jade) These are a form of popular jade plants - Crassula Argentea. Unlike the flattened leaves of regular Jade, are tubular, lime green and look like fingers! The tip of the leaf is flared and the center is often a brilliant, translucent red. Caring Tips Seasonality: These are summer growers Water: Jade plants want just the right amount of water. Don t water them on a schedule. Instead, water them based on how wet/dry the soil feels. You never want it to dry out completely, but you want to avoid drowning them! They need less water in the winter. Sun: These love as much sun as possible!
Kalanchoe Thrysiflora (Jade s Cousin!) These have paddle-shaped leaves of the Kalanchoe Thrysiflora Flapjacks succulent variety and they turn red in the sun! Caring Tips Seasonality: These are summer growers Water: These HATE soggy soil, so be sure not to overwater. When in doubt, keep them on the dry side. Sun: These love as much sun as possible!
Aloe There are over 450 species of aloe that exist in different shapes and sizes. They have waxy surfaces and they are well-adapted to harsh climates with infrequent precipitation. Caring Tips Seasonality: These are summer growers Water: In the summer months, soak them thoroughly (make sure soil has good drainage), but allow them to dry very well between waterings (dry to a depth of 1 to 2 inches). Sun: These need lots of indirect sunlight and they prefer dry weather. Haworthia Zebra Plant These plants are extra special and require extra time and attention to grow. They need more indirect light than most and they dislike moisture even more than other succulents. Overwatering is one of the biggest causes of death. We even recommend fertilizing these once in the spring and once in the fall.
Sedum These are also called stonecrops. These have fleshy, succulent leaves. They tend to sit on rocks, walls and other seemingly uninviting places. They also attract butterflies! Caring Tips Seasonality: These plants LOVE the summer! Water: You ll want to water the sedum weekly during active growing season. However, always allow the soil to dry between waterings, to prevent rotting! sedum burrito Sun: These need LOTS of sun to survive. Place them right near a window if you are planning to grow these indoors. These also prefer weather around 70 degrees.
Graptopetalum These are native to Mexico and Southern USA. Their leaves vary in color from silver-gray to pink waxy green and speckled. They all have thick leaves forming rosettes with star-shaped flowers from white to pink on long stems! Caring Tips Seasonality: These are summer growers! Water: You ll want to water your plant weekly during active growing season. However, always allow the soil to dry between waterings, to prevent rotting! Sun: These need LOTS of sun to survive. These also prefer VERY warm weather.
Aeonium These look like large, colorful, rubbery flowers. They are often confused with Echeveria because of the rosette shape! When trying to identify these, look for colored edges, thin leaves and shiny/rubbery leaf surfaces! There are over 35 different types of species! Caring Tips Seasonality: These grow best during cool months with full sun. They like coastal areas! Water: These plants hate excess water near their soil, so be careful not to water them too much. Unlike the others, you ll want to water these sparingly in the hotter months and always allow them to dry between waterings. Sun: The majority of these are from the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean. They need LOTS of sun and warmth to survive.
Additional Resources Where can you find more detailed information about succulents?
Additional Tips From Our Supplier ALWAYS let the soil dry out before watering it again. They handle try better than they handle wetness. Water plants in the afternoon or evening! This prevents your plant from burning and your water from boiling! Succulents best absorb water during the evening (their rest period). An under watered succulent will show stress by turning colors or drooping. That means it s been too long since it s gotten fed! Water it! Once you take your terrarium home, you ll need to ease it back into the sun. Start further from a window, and slowly move it closer throughout the week. You ll know it s not getting enough light when it starts leaning towards the sun. The plant is begging. These plants thrive between 50 and 80 degree weather! NOTE: The chalky substance found on most succulent leaves is a protective substance that helps protect the plant from pests, disease, and sunburn. Do not intentionally rub off this film! Encourage your customer s to handle the plant at it s base to avoid removing this chalky substance from it s leaves. Need more information? Check out our additional resources on the next slide! Avoid humidity
Additional Information If you re interested in diving a bit deeper, check out these sources! General http://www.altmanplants.com/book.pdf Succulent Care: http://www.klru.org/ctg/resource/succulentcare-and-lists/ http://www.ambius.com/blog/the-ultimateguide-to-succulents/ Succulent Identification: http://succulent-plant.com/thumbnails.html http://www.drought-smartplants.com/succulent-identificationchart.html#axzz4bedxesau If you have any other great resources, send them to Support: support@plantnite.com