Where to keep succulents at home

They create atmosphere, warmth and company. fat plants They shouldn't be wasted at home; instead, they should be chosen carefully, also based on the environment they'll be in. But when and how should they be watered? How should they be cared for? Are there any contraindications for keeping succulents indoors?

Succulents in the house are really decorative, you just need to know how to care for them. The pot they're placed in, for example, should always have a drainage hole in the bottom and be at least 4 cm deep. Sunlight, in most cases, is succulents' best friend; therefore, it's best to place them in a bright spot, near windows or balconies. Furthermore, the temperature, even indoors, should never drop below 15°C. Succulent plants don't require much watering, and water should only be given when the topsoil It's dry. In summer, they should be watered a couple of times a week at most, depending on the type of plant. In winter, they should be watered every six weeks. If they get dusty, succulents should be cleaned, otherwise photosynthesis could be compromised. To dust them, you can use a cool-air hair dryer or a small brush. withered flowers they must be eliminated, as well as all parts that are attacked by parasites.

Where are they going?

Succulents are beautiful anywhere in the house, from the living room to the kitchen, also perfect for Hanging GardensIf placed in the living room or dining room, these succulents, especially if spherical or hanging, can be arranged in wicker baskets and placed in any corner that needs adornment. Pots, perhaps copper, can also be a good place for a living room or dining room succulent. In the kitchen, succulents enhance the space if placed in terracotta pots; drooping ones are also beautiful next to cabinets, adding a touch of greenery.

In bathroom It's best to avoid succulents, given the warm, humid environment in this room, which succulents don't particularly like. They're lovely in an entryway or hallway, provided they're warm and bright enough. Succulents do very well on windowsills, especially if you live in particularly cold areas that don't allow them to be grown outdoors. On the windowsill, you can opt for a nice selection of different plants, arranged in different pots; succulents hanging from the ceiling are also lovely, creating a magical touch in front of the window.

When thewinter When temperatures drop, succulents that have spent the summer months outside should be brought indoors. Their dormancy begins in October and ends with the arrival of spring. Obviously, it all depends on the climate where you live. When the outside temperature drops below 10°C (50°F) at night, succulents should be brought indoors. Before bringing them inside, the stem, branches, and leaves should be checked for the presence of pests. When the plant is diseased, it should be treated with chemical products, and the offending product should be allowed to evaporate for at least a day before bringing it indoors.

At this point, you need to place the succulents in a place in the house where the temperature do not exceed 15°, avoiding frequent watering. The ideal temperature is around 5°-7°C. If your home has radiators and the air is too dry, water the succulent's soil once a month. This type of plant prefers a bright location, such as one with windows that provide plenty of light.

The most suitable

Succulents are one of the most popular ways to decorate your home, and some are considered particularly suitable for apartment living. Let's take a look at them.

• La Opuntia Microdasys, originally from Mexico, has paddles, flattened stem parts covered with thorns. Its reproduction occurs by cutting or by seed. Its flowers are beautiful and yellow, and it adapts very well to the domestic climate.
• La Schlumberg was It can be placed anywhere, preferring areas of the home that are not too bright or too hot. It requires regular watering and blooms annually; it is also known as the Christmas cactus.
• Il Zebra CactusOriginally from southern Africa, this plant thrives in bright light but requires little care and is ideal for indoor use. It grows slowly and doesn't get very tall. Its long, tapered, fleshy leaves are striped with white, hence the name "zebra."
• Among the indoor succulents, the kentia, which resembles a palm, is evergreen and can grow up to 15 meters tall. It creates a very elegant interior and requires a larger pot. It thrives best in larger homes, precisely because of its size.
• THEAloe vera It's a beautiful and useful succulent, highly decorative and undemanding. It doesn't tolerate cold, so it's ideal indoors, especially in winter. In cold weather, aloe vera needs to be watered once a month.
• Il Tacitus Bellus It's a beautiful houseplant with broad, succulent, triangular leaves. Its star-shaped flowers appear in spring and summer. Since it doesn't tolerate the cold, Tacitus thrives indoors at a constant temperature of around 20°C.
• Il Lithops It's called this because it resembles a stone. It originates from Africa and exists in several different types, varying in shape and bloom. This plant adapts well to indoor climates. It has two round leaves, from the center of which the flower emerges in summer.
• La Friar It's a houseplant that thrives indoors and doesn't require any special care. It's best placed in a shady area because it doesn't like direct sunlight. This plant produces beautiful yellow flowers that self-pollinate during reproduction.
• La Yucca, known as agave, originates from Mexico and the Caribbean and can grow up to twenty meters tall. If grown indoors, however, it doesn't exceed two meters. It has a beautiful cylindrical stem and tufted leaves.
• Il Sedum burrito It's a flowering, much-loved houseplant. Sedum has a very curious shape, reminiscent of a donkey's tail. This plant's dramatic effect is undeniable, as, when suspended, it creates a beautiful green cascade that produces red, bell-shaped flowers in the summer.

Which ones need little light

There are some succulents that need to be placed in shady areas, away from direct sunlight. Let's see which ones they are.

• La Mammillaria, which is a small cactus originating from Latin America, prefers a partially shaded location and does not like temperatures lower than 10°.
• La Friar it's a small one cactus It grows no more than 4 cm tall and doesn't like direct sunlight. Therefore, it should be placed in a shady area of ​​the house where the temperature doesn't drop below 8°C.
• Also the Crassula Buddha's Temple, whose shape recalls those of Buddhist temples, tolerates too much light and prefers dry places. This plant dislikes the cold.
• Among the succulents that do not like light there is also the Dorstenia Foetida, native to Central Africa, with a succulent stem and green leaves with serrated edges. This plant dislikes direct sunlight, so it prefers partial shade with temperatures no lower than 12°C.
• Il Sedum morganianum, with its drooping leaves, loves sun, partial shade and shade.
• La Zamioculcas zamilifolia It's an unusual plant because it doesn't appear plump and likes both light and shade. It shouldn't be overwatered, but just enough to keep the soil it grows in moist.

Controindicazioni

Succulents are beautiful indoors, but sometimes they can have drawbacks, and it's best to weigh all the pros and cons before choosing one. Let's look at what to watch out for.

• Succulents, as we know, have thorns on the surface of their leaves. These can be very small or, at times, very large, up to 10 cm in length. The spines are a defense weapon that cacti use against the attacks of herbivorous animals that would like to feed on their watery pulp. Usually, if you get pricked by one of these spines, nothing happens since houseplants don't cause excessive damage. However, if the spines are small, they can penetrate the flesh; to avoid burning and pruritus intense, they must all be removed, perhaps by spreading some fir resin on the area and then removing them with alcohol.
• Some succulents, such as Kalanchoe, are poisonous., because they release an irritating latex. Opuntia, also known as prickly pear, has small thorns on its fruit, which you need to watch out for.
• If the sap of succulents comes into contact with wounds on the skin or mucous membranes, can cause serious problems, as these plant fluids are toxic to humans and animals, and, although rarely, can cause death. For this reason, some of these plants should be pruned, and when handling them, it's best to wear gloves and avoid touching your eyes or mucous membranes.
• Such dangers can be avoided If you're particularly careful, place your plants away from pets or children. Those with poisonous latex should be kept away from children, who are often attracted by the bright colors of the flowers and fruits that can characterize the plants themselves. So, don't worry: just be far-sighted and continue to adorn your home with the most beautiful succulents, taking the right precautions.

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