Cactus in colour

This cousin of cactus comes in attractive bright shades

Rachana Ramesh

Succulents can be an amazing addition to gardens, indoors or outdoors. The photo-worthy plant comes in all the shades of the rainbow and adds a pop of colour to any setting. They will look lovely lined up on a window sill or as a centrepiece on the dining table. They will also merge effortlessly placed in a container, at the corners of a garden. Though their incredible popularity right now might be tempting you to tend to these small space-friendly plants, you must keep in mind that they’re finicky.

Succulents, which are closely related to cacti, originally come from a dry, desert environment, so moving them to an environment that is nowhere close to their home can be a challenge. While they are constantly touted as easy to care, nearly indestructible, if you are a new plant parent, succulents may require some special attention. Not too much sun, not too much water, not too much soil either. Keep this in mind when you start a succulent garden. First, think of a garden spot or window, any area that receives a few hours of sun every day. Most succulents will get weak if not exposed to bright light and many will develop a better foliage colour with direct sun exposure. “I don’t specifically like a garden for succulents but I like a small portion of my garden to be arranged with succulents,” says Vyshnavi, who has been gardening for years and has a minute portion of her terrace garden dedicated for succulents. Picking up the habit of gardening from her mother, it has turned into a therapeutic hobby and succulents are her favourite. “I mostly like them because they withstand even the harshest conditions and can survive days without water. They are also very cute looking”, she says.

Next is your choice of succulents. “Jade, Yucca, and Paddle are my favourite, however succulents are more expensive than other ordinary flowering or desk plants. We charge a lot because succulents require a lot of time and patience to be propagated and grown to a stage where they can be appreciated”, says Vyshnavi, the owner of Dreamland nursery. Putting these plants in an arrangement in containers or spots in an already established garden while also making them aesthetically pleasing is a tedious process, she warns.

If you think bringing home a container of succulents might burn a hole in your pocket, consider taking a few of your favourites and propagating them at your home. Maybe the Ghost plant which is a beautiful hanging rosette succulent that turns orange, bronze, pink and purple according to conditions. It can be easily propagated by leaves and you may even find one sprouting with some care. Or the Burrito succulent can also be a choice. These hanging succulents can reach up to six inches long strands. Their leaves tend to fall off easily from stems since they are propagated this way in nature. You will have to put zero effort in.

“Just like any green thumb, I like succulents! They’re dainty, unique, and adorable, but what I don’t like about them is how particular their needs are and that I end up killing them too soon”, says Shruthi, a new plant parent. “I’ve tried propagating succulents a few times. It was partially successful, new roots and the offset did grow out, but it ended up dying before I could even shift it to a new pot! Anyway, I’d say if you’ve figured out taking care of succulents, propagation shouldn’t be very difficult”, she adds.Once you have earned the merit badge as a succulent parent, you can go down to the nursery to buy the more expensive succulents.