These succulents add colour to your home and are a great start for aspiring gardeners!
It goes without saying that plants instantly enliven up your home and add a natural touch that makes the ambience come alive. Apart from aesthetically enhancing your home, these green additions also help purify the air, and there’s no denying the exhilarating feeling you get when you see your plants thrive. If you have green fingers, having plants around the home is also a great and relaxing hobby to indulge in.
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We know, not everyone is naturally gifted with a green thumb and some of us may not have the privilege of time to care for our little green friends. Fortunately, there are other types of plants that those of us with brown thumbs can consider picking up – succulents! They have unique water-storage tissues that allow them to survive comfortably in indoor conditions. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colours too!
We’ve rounded up six of our favourite to grow at home – check out the different indoor succulent species below:
1. Burro’s Tail
These trailing succulents look best when planted in a hanging container. Place it on a ledge or a shelf so that its tendrils can cascade down and drape the area beautifully. Its blue-grey leaves can grow up to 3 feet long. Although this plant isn’t known to have flowers blooming, you will be surprised to see that pink or red flowers may appear occasionally. This plant thrives best in an environment that has a source of bright indirect light at a medium intensity. Be careful not to place this plant under full sun as it may cause sunburn.
2. Kalanchoe
There are various types of Kalanchoe plants, but one of the most common species is the kalanchoe tomentosa. Also fondly known as the panda plant, this succulent’s unique characteristic is its foliage. Its thick green leaves are covered with soft, silvery fine hairs that give it a fuzzy and velvety appearance. This succulent flowers in its natural habitat but it is rare to see it blooms when planted indoors. However, if you are lucky, you will be able to spot some lovely tubular-shaped flowers on the tip of the branches. These succulents only require watering once a week, so you can easily go on a holiday without worrying too much.
Read more: How to grow succulents in 3 quick steps
3. Aloe Vera
For those of you who are busy, pick a pot of aloe vera, a medicinal plant which healing sap has been used for centuries to treat sunburns and minor wounds. Also known as lidah buaya, the leaves of this plant sport sharp, serrated edges that can accidentally cut an unsuspecting passerby. Therefore, it would be best to place it somewhere safe where it isn’t easily knocked over. It is best to plant aloe vera in a terra cotta pot that has drainage holes because they cannot thrive in standing water. To care for this plant, ensure that the potting soil is completely dry before watering it. The soil should be thoroughly drenched but the water should be allowed to drain freely from the soil. Place your aloe vera under direct sunlight to allow them to flourish healthily.
Read more: 8 best air-purifying indoor plants for your home
4. Snake Plant
Snake plants are also a great option to add to your home. Its long, pointed leaves have patterned markings that resemble a snake and make a fantastic choice for adding a splash of colour in a room. They are also incredibly easy to grow and care for as you can place them in low light environments and allow the rhizomes to grow into a clump over the years. These succulents can take a beating and are easily revivable even if they seem like they are on the brink of death by merely watering them. Similar to caring for aloe vera, you have to allow the soil to dry between waterings.
5. Pin-cushion Cactus
Don’t be taken aback by these prickly little things; they are an adorable succulent to place on a study desk or countertop. There are over 200 species of ball-shaped cacti that are commonly used as indoor decor. Cacti thrive in environments that are brightly lit, so it is advisable to place your cacti by a windowsill. These succulents only require occasional watering – you only need to water them when the soil is completely dried out. In order to make it bloom, it should be kept in a cool environment. It is also good to take note that although its spikes are delicate, they have hooked ends which may be challenging to pull out of the skin.
Read more: Avoid these 7 mistakes & your indoor plants won’t die again
6. Houseleeks
Probably the prettiest succulent in our list is the houseleek, also commonly known as hens-and-chicks because of its unique growth pattern. Smaller yet identical plants sprout from the core to form beautiful rosettes and are available in two variants. The first type is called the echeveria elegans, which has rounded edges and grows into arching, bell-shaped blooms. The second type is known as sempervivum tectorum, which has pointed tips, and produces pink, star-shaped flowers. Both variants make a lovely addition to your home; either as a coffee table decor in your living area or as an ornament on a shelf. Be careful not to overwater these succulents as it could cause them to rot.