Succulents: The Perfect Low-Maintenance Plant

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Few plants are less demanding than succulents, which are plants that have developed thick leaves and stems to store water. In the field of botany, cacti are included in this category. 

They survive neglect, often to amazing degrees, so it is a perfect plant for someone who travels often. In fact, your plants are more likely to die from overwatering than under-watering. During the summer, let the soil dry between watering. In the winter, succulents become dormant-- you only need to water them about every other month.

Many succulents are slow-growing, too, so you don't have to worry about transplanting them often. 

Succulents prefer warm temperatures and lots of sunlight. 

Here is a list of some of my favorite succulents:

• Aloe Vera- This plant can grow to be quite large, and it is an extremely popular houseplant. Juice extracted from the leaves can be used to treat burns or soothe other skin irritations. Some sources say that it can also be used as a conditioner, though I haven't tried it myself. 

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• Living Stones- As the name suggests, these plants resemble rocks. Native to Africa, they are extremely slow-growing and need minimal water. Apparently, if you water them too much the leaves could explode, so you may want to wear safety goggles when watering. And, unlike many succulents, they are dormant during the summer.

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• Stonecrop (Hylotelephium spectabile)- For those of you who like flowers, stonecrop (also known as sedum) is a good choice. They are perennials and grow best outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 3-9, reaching a height of about two feet. The flowers are long-lasting and turn a beautiful shade of pink. 

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In a future post, I hope to talk about succulents as they are used in interior design.