But surprisingly, not only have my succulents thrived during the extended dry period, but they have even fared very well during our rainy season. This is likely due to the excellent drainage offered by the rock surfaces I planted my succulent garden on. So, remember to check occasionally that your rocks allow water to drain easily without obstructions.
If you happen to live in a very wet region, consider relocating your succulent rock garden to a covered area, such as a lanai or covered porch or patio where it should flourish. The sheer variety of succulents available allows you to choose either those that thrive in full sun or partial sun depending on the amount of sun you receive in your garden.
If you do plan on growing your succulents on a rock in a shady location, be sure to choose succulents that can handle low sunlight, such as a Haworthia aka Zebra Plant , Woodland Stonecrop , or Bear Paws and not a sun-loving Echeveria or Sedum.
However, if you live in a dry place with low humidity or your succulent is covered under a lanai, you will want to occasionally mist your succulents on rocks with a spray water bottle. Now, for the fun part! Choosing succulents to grow in your rock garden allows you to be creative as you envision the colors and textures you want for your succulent rock garden. With infinite varieties, you are only limited by your imagination.
But, do keep some considerations in mind. First, your rock size matters. While succulents are quite slow growing plants, you should only choose varieties that remain relatively small even at maturity for growing on smaller to medium sized rocks.
It may seem obvious, but be sure not to select Agave or Aloe for growing in small to medium sized rocks. Again, consider the size of the rock you plan to grow on. If you happen to have larger rocks with larger crevices, you may have more flexibility with the size of succulents you choose. Installing rocks in gardens brings dimension and texture, which provides the perfect backdrop for your plants. Since succulents grow in the wild in fast-draining sandy soil, growing succulents on rocks helps replicate that swift drainage.
To do this with your rocks, choose rocks large enough to support plant growth, and which are textured with crevices, cracks or holes, such as sandstone, limestone or shale. The last thing you want is for your succulents to get waterlogged.
Just a very small amount. Take just enough soil to fill in the narrow crevices of the rock you are using so about an inch or two. This should be just enough soil to bury the roots of your succulent and provide adequate nutrients. However, since such a small amount of soil may be occasionally lost due to weather and wind, you may need to periodically top up each crevice with soil to cover the base of the roots. Contrast this with the process of potting succulents.
If there is a plant one could compare to the proverbial cat with nine lives, it would be succulents. They are known to be resilient and survive unfavorable conditions that other plants cannot. Planting succulents is, therefore, easy and stress-free. They grow in deserts and close to seabeds where the soil is filled with minerals. However, most plants are not epiphytes. They have extensive roots that need sufficient soil to grow and flourish. They need the nutrients, moisture, and warmth provided by the right soil to survive.
The ideal soil for succulents is well-drained. As a result of this, most gardeners have come up with the practice of adding rocks or gravels to the potting mix. These are commonly referred to as potting pebbles. Rocks and gravels are primarily used when potting succulents to improve drainage. Placing stones on the bottom of the pot enhances drainage and prevents root rot. Succulents and cacti naturally grow in sandy soils that drain quickly, and their roots should never be left in wet soil.
The rocks help move water through the soil quickly so that the soil remains well-drained. Also, using rocks and pebbles on your soil can improve the aesthetic appeal of your succulents.
If you have ever seen one of these, you will know that they are creative and beautiful. But the real question is: can succulents survive on rocks and gravel alone? Succulent needs soil to survive, and they cannot survive on rocks and gravels alone. You may be wondering how other gardeners achieve these arrangements. The truth is that they add some soil before they arrange the gravels, sand, rocks, and pebbles.
The soil is not the usual quantity of soil used to plant succulents but enough to bury the roots or supply the necessary nutrients. A typical potting arrangement with gravels and bricks usually has an inch layer of soil at the base or in between. You can either fill the pot with gravel and then put soil on top of the gravels and put more gravel over the soil. Or, you can put the soil at the base and add the gravel on top of the soil. There are smart ways of ensuring that your succulents survive this arrangement for some time.
This will capture the excess water during watering. The next step is to pour and evenly distribute some powdered activated charcoal over the gravel layer. The powdered activated charcoal helps neutralize odors that could possibly develop and contained in the layer of the gravel.
Next, add a peat-based potting soil mix on top of the gravel. You can make your own soil mix. You just need to combine two parts of the peat and one part of the compost. This is a great potting soil for succulents.
Now, it is time to sprinkle the soil with water. If you do, the succulents will only rot and eventually die. To determine the level of moisture, you can poke your finger in the soil. If the soil sticks on your finger, it is already wet.
The water is enough. Now you are ready to plant. Get the baby succulents and plant them in the pot. I love to start with small-sized succulents. It gives me an opportunity to make some amazing arrangements. But whatever you do, do not forget to give space between plants. They need it to breathe. A ink spacing can be sufficient for the plants to thrive healthily. Set a watering schedule. Because succulents are capable of storing water in their leaves, stems, and roots, they do not like too much water.
In fact, too much moisture will cause rotting. The perfect watering technique for succulents is soaked and dry. As mentioned, this technique suggests that you only water your succulents if the water is already dry.
The watering frequency, as well as the amount of water you need to be giving, is determined by many factors including the season. In summer, because the air is dry and the environment is hotter, succulents may need more water. This means that watering frequency increases. During winter, in contrast, succulents need less water. This means less frequent watering and a lesser amount of water. Whatever season though you need to avoid overwatering.
In winter, succulents are more prone to this problem. Fortunately, the soak and dry method will keep your succulents from overwatering or even underwatering. Suppose that you are really into trying succulents in rocks. And you wonder how to make your plants survive without soil. Fortunately, there are ways you can do to make your goal come true. It only involves some materials and little extra effort on your part. Below are some of the tips and strategies you can try to prolong the life of your succulents in rocks.
What you can do to allow the succulents to thrive without soil is to add fertilizer. During watering, mix the fertilizer with the water you are going to sprinkle on your plants.
This will give the plants a source of nutrients. Estimate the amount of fertilizer you want to mix. Read the guide on the label so that you will be guided accordingly. Adding the source of nutrients for succulents planted in rocks may not be enough. This is because succulents need something to attach to. With rocks, it is impossible. What you can do is to add some organic materials that will allow the succulents to attach with.
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