By
Jan Boone
Many of us have a quiet sunny corner in a room where favorite
winter houseguests have camped out for the past 5 months or so. These are the best kind of guests because all
they require is sun, occasional water and loving words as we pass by. As much as we enjoy their presence in that
sunny corner, it’s getting time to consider who can maybe return to outside
decks, who needs a new container and who is tolerant enough to be planted
outside in the sun. Succulents provide
diversity in colors, shapes and textures in our gardens and decks.
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| Photo by Jan Boone |
Whether inside or outside, start with the premise that
for the most part succulents & cacti demand attention to 3 fundamental basics
in order to survive our high, cold and dry growing zones. These include light (depending
upon varieties, at least 4 hours of direct sun and afternoon shade); soil to
promote drainage since soggy roots simply produce root rot or fungus; and
lastly, water. While many cultivars are
drought resistant perennials, it’s important to know plant water needs may
require a more selective approach, especially when planting adjacent to one
another. Watch to see what your plants tolerate. Succulents store their water
in their fleshy leaves or stems and we all know when the temperature drops, those
leaves may freeze and the plant is damaged or killed.
A fourth area of consideration is the more
common type of insect infestations you may discover before you start shifting
containers or planting for the summer season.
These can include mealy bugs, whitefly, scale, aphids and some
mites. Inspect your plants closely.
Whether in smaller terrariums or larger outside settings,
cacti are most selective about their clay soils, good drainage and limited
watering needs. Ball and barrel shapes
may add diversity to your decks or rock gardens but winter protection is
essential so containerizing these may be a safe bet.
Perhaps you’ve hosted some of these visitors during winter
months:
Jade plant Crassula
ovata. Mine is a cutting from my mother’s immense container plant that
lived on a balcony in direct afternoon sun in California for years. Originally part of a diverse plant genus from
Africa, the Jade plant has undergone a variety of scientific classification
name changes. This is a popular indoor
only houseplant that can thrive on neglect!
My only issue is susceptibility to mealy bug. At least once a year I find myself gently
cleaning leaves w/q-tips, alcohol and soapy water. These varieties are popular in small
terrarium size plants or as large container plants. It does bloom, but more
frequently in larger mass plantings. They will not overwinter outside at our
altitude but may be content with an occasional secluded warm afternoon on an
outside deck. Water is stored in the leaves, stem and roots. Roots can do well in compact container
settings.
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| Aloe pup |
Aloe Vera Aloe barbadensis. Aloe is a good specimen to
have in a container for the dramatic leaves as well as for its medicinal
qualities. Break a leaf spike off and
you’ll find a gel good for burns and minor cuts. Because I ignored this plant for quite a while,
other than occasional watering, I learned what plant pups are! Like many succulents, this plant reproduces
by growing ‘pups’ from a main root. (Also referred to as offsets, or root
portions that develop leaves and sprout a new plant). Break pups off carefully, soak for 24 hours prior
to re-potting and you have a new plant.
Hens and Chicks Easily one of the most popular of
so many colorful and unique Sempervivums.
Check the cultivar for hardiness.
Good in containers as well as planted in the right site.
Snake Plant Sansevierra
trifasciata Popular as the Snake
Plant or Mother-In-Law’s tongue among interior plant circles, but it is actual a
succulent from Africa and Madagascar.
It’s low-light and easy maintenance needs are alluring. Caution … this is a plant not meant for
outdoor containers or use. It’s perfect
for an indoor succulent specimen.
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| Sansevierra pup |
Pencil Cactus Euphorbiaceae
tirucalli This is one of the first and more unique succulents I learned
about upon moving to Colorado. It is not
an actual cactus despite the name, but a true succulent. It is part of the Euphorbia family. Members of this family can be annual,
perennial, evergreen, shrub-like in gardens or even tree-like. My initial encounter was a unique 5’ tall interior
specimen. Years later, I still like the
vertical, simple nature of the plant and have a 6” high specimen in a terrarium
bowl. A characteristic this family all
shares is the milky white sap that can irritate or be toxic to people and
animals. If you’re taking cuttings for
propagation, wear gloves and don’t go near your eyes while handling anything
w/sap. There are more varieties that can
be planted in outside beds in warmer zones, but not for our cold. Keep in mind this family includes spurge
varieties and even poinsettias!
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| Pencil cactus container growth |
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| Stone succulent |
Stone Plant Lithops marmorata I’ve always thought these small,
funny ‘living stone’ succulents looked intriguing. I became more interested by these as I’d pass
large trays of 2” pots for sale at box store garden centers. From South Africa
originally, they grow to mimic the rocks and dry environment they grow among. They
will test the most determined grower!
Sometimes they split, sometimes they bloom and sometimes they just
die! I’ve discovered The Denver Botanic
Gardens has a bed of them in their Steppes gardens to promote education about
the threatened Steppes regions around the world. The stems and roots are underground, while
large rounded leaves store water. These are highly sensitive to cold and water,
so require protection in winter months the payoff is the interesting addition
to a xeric or rock garden space in your yard.
Leave them alone and they’re happy when dry and warm.
These are just a few of my winter houseguests, but as I
pass through garden centers now, I think perhaps I need to add a few new
varieties to my deck containers this coming season. A great reference tool for anyone interested
in succulents or cacti is Hardy Succulents by Gwen Moore Kelaidis,
Storey Publishing, 2005. Currently it seems everyone is selling containers
filled with multi-colored varying succulents, so it’s good to know what can
work for your own house and garden environment.
Enjoy the fun!
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