How Succulents Can Solve Your Garden Problems
This large group of undemanding, water-wise plants offers pretty and practical answers to your gardening dilemmas
Noelle Johnson
May 5, 2017
Succulents have it all — delightful shapes, a variety of colors and a range of sizes — so it’s no surprise that they are a favorite choice for landscape designers. Succulents do more than add beauty to outdoor spaces. They can also be effective problem solvers, replacing a water-intensive lawn with a more drought-tolerant landscape, filling narrow planting areas, creating low-maintenance container plantings, and much more.
Foxtail agave (Agave attenuata), snake flower (Bulbine frutescens) and aeonium create a lush green planting underneath California pepper trees (Schinus molle).
Before planting succulents, it’s important to know a few things. There are many kinds of succulents. Some thrive in full sun, while others prefer shade; many love warm climates, but a number can be grown in cold regions as well. It’s important to note the USDA zone and recommended sun exposure of each succulent before you add it to your garden.
All succulents require well-drained soil, as they will not survive for long in soggy conditions. Succulents do need water, unless they are cactuses (which are a type of succulent). A general guideline is to water them deeply and then let the soil completely dry out before watering again.
Replace thirsty lawns. We may enjoy the bright green color of lawns, but they take a lot of water and require frequent maintenance in the forms of fertilizing and mowing. Replacing grass with succulents is a great way to reduce water usage and garden maintenance.
There are many bright green succulents that can re-create that lush appearance of a lawn. If cool blue-gray hues are more your style, there are succulents for that too. Visit your local nursery to see what types of succulents do well in your area, and choose those that you like best and fit the sun exposure that your front yard receives.
How to Replace Your Lawn With a Garden
Before planting succulents, it’s important to know a few things. There are many kinds of succulents. Some thrive in full sun, while others prefer shade; many love warm climates, but a number can be grown in cold regions as well. It’s important to note the USDA zone and recommended sun exposure of each succulent before you add it to your garden.
All succulents require well-drained soil, as they will not survive for long in soggy conditions. Succulents do need water, unless they are cactuses (which are a type of succulent). A general guideline is to water them deeply and then let the soil completely dry out before watering again.
Replace thirsty lawns. We may enjoy the bright green color of lawns, but they take a lot of water and require frequent maintenance in the forms of fertilizing and mowing. Replacing grass with succulents is a great way to reduce water usage and garden maintenance.
There are many bright green succulents that can re-create that lush appearance of a lawn. If cool blue-gray hues are more your style, there are succulents for that too. Visit your local nursery to see what types of succulents do well in your area, and choose those that you like best and fit the sun exposure that your front yard receives.
How to Replace Your Lawn With a Garden
This colorful container is filled with a variety of succulents, including milk bush (Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Sticks on Fire’), Aeonium arboreum, cordyline and A. ‘Sunburst’.
Switch out flowering annuals. Growing flowers in pots is a high-maintenance garden element, with constant deadheading and frequent watering and fertilizing. Instead of adding annual flowers to your pots every few months, switch them out for colorful succulents, which will lend beauty throughout the year for a fraction of the water and fertilizer required for flowers.
Use a planting mix that is specifically formulated for succulents, and fertilize in spring and in summer using a slow-release fertilizer.
Switch out flowering annuals. Growing flowers in pots is a high-maintenance garden element, with constant deadheading and frequent watering and fertilizing. Instead of adding annual flowers to your pots every few months, switch them out for colorful succulents, which will lend beauty throughout the year for a fraction of the water and fertilizer required for flowers.
Use a planting mix that is specifically formulated for succulents, and fertilize in spring and in summer using a slow-release fertilizer.
Mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata) grows up against a low wall.
Fill narrow areas. Small planting beds can be a difficult spot to add plants, with their limited soil space. However, many succulents thrive in these confines. Narrow planting beds are frequently found next to the foundation of buildings and walls, where frequent watering is discouraged because of the damage it can cause to structures. Adding succulents that need infrequent watering is often a viable option for these confined spaces.
Fill narrow areas. Small planting beds can be a difficult spot to add plants, with their limited soil space. However, many succulents thrive in these confines. Narrow planting beds are frequently found next to the foundation of buildings and walls, where frequent watering is discouraged because of the damage it can cause to structures. Adding succulents that need infrequent watering is often a viable option for these confined spaces.
The blossoms of soap aloe (Aloe maculata), rock purslane (Calandrinia grandiflora) and ‘Autumn Joy’ stonecrop (Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’) add color in this front yard.
Substitute for high-water-use flowering perennials. When we think of flowering plants, succulents don’t often come to mind; however, many succulents produce beautiful displays of flowers that will add welcome color to the landscape while needing much less water. Ask your local master gardener or nursery professional what kinds of flowering succulents do well in your region.
Substitute for high-water-use flowering perennials. When we think of flowering plants, succulents don’t often come to mind; however, many succulents produce beautiful displays of flowers that will add welcome color to the landscape while needing much less water. Ask your local master gardener or nursery professional what kinds of flowering succulents do well in your region.
The upright stems of Senecio ‘Kilimanjaro’ combine with the rosette shapes of aeonium and a flowering kalanchoe.
No nearby water source? Fill containers with succulents. We don’t always think of how our newly planted containers are going to get watered. Despite our best intentions, we don’t always water them regularly, and they can suffer because of this. This is particularly true in areas like sidewalks or courtyards where there isn’t a nearby hose or spigot.
Succulent-filled containers are a great alternative for these spots, because you can enjoy the beauty of plants in pots while not having to water them frequently. Water only when the top inch of soil is completely dry.
Plant These 12 Succulents for Instant Impact in Containers
No nearby water source? Fill containers with succulents. We don’t always think of how our newly planted containers are going to get watered. Despite our best intentions, we don’t always water them regularly, and they can suffer because of this. This is particularly true in areas like sidewalks or courtyards where there isn’t a nearby hose or spigot.
Succulent-filled containers are a great alternative for these spots, because you can enjoy the beauty of plants in pots while not having to water them frequently. Water only when the top inch of soil is completely dry.
Plant These 12 Succulents for Instant Impact in Containers
Agave, blue chalk sticks (Senecio mandraliscae) and paddle plant (Kalanchoe luciae) create a mix of texture and color in this beachfront garden in Southern California.
Use in coastal gardens where salt spray is a factor. When growing plants in areas near the coast, salt spray in the air can be a problem for plants that aren’t salt-tolerant. There are, however, several succulents that do well in this situation. If you live near the coast, visit your local nursery for succulent recommendations.
Use in coastal gardens where salt spray is a factor. When growing plants in areas near the coast, salt spray in the air can be a problem for plants that aren’t salt-tolerant. There are, however, several succulents that do well in this situation. If you live near the coast, visit your local nursery for succulent recommendations.
Lush aeonium softens a planting bed surrounded by stone walkways.
Plant in beds that don’t have an irrigation system. Planting areas without an irrigation system don’t have to be left empty. Add succulents for a welcome splash of green color, and water infrequently when the top couple of inches of soil are dry.
Plant in beds that don’t have an irrigation system. Planting areas without an irrigation system don’t have to be left empty. Add succulents for a welcome splash of green color, and water infrequently when the top couple of inches of soil are dry.
Aeonium, agave, aloe and stonecrop grow in this Bay Area terraced garden.
Brighten locations that receive hot, reflected sun. Many types of succulents are well-suited to areas where the sun beats down mercilessly, and they help soften these areas visually and prevent them from appearing washed out. When looking for succulents for this type of location, be sure to choose those that can handle hot, reflected sun. Your local nursery professional or master gardener can provide you with a list of plants that will work in this challenging situation.
More
A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Succulents
How to Design a Low-Maintenance Garden
7 Stunning Plant Combinations for Low-Water Gardens
Brighten locations that receive hot, reflected sun. Many types of succulents are well-suited to areas where the sun beats down mercilessly, and they help soften these areas visually and prevent them from appearing washed out. When looking for succulents for this type of location, be sure to choose those that can handle hot, reflected sun. Your local nursery professional or master gardener can provide you with a list of plants that will work in this challenging situation.
More
A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Succulents
How to Design a Low-Maintenance Garden
7 Stunning Plant Combinations for Low-Water Gardens
We specialize in custom cabinetry, but we also do interior trim & millwork. The quality of our work, the look of... Read More
What are you working on?
Related Products
Working with Ramos Timber, you won’t have to worry about coordinating and budgeting for designers, contractors,... Read More
Related Stories
Landscape Design
What Will We Want in Our Landscapes in 2024?
Discover seven trends that landscape designers predict homeowners will be bringing into their outdoor spaces this year
Full Story
Spring Gardening
8 Tips to Get Your Early-Spring Garden Ready for the Season
Find out how to salvage plants, when to cut back damaged branches, when to mulch and more
Full Story
Winter Gardening
How to Prune Your Fruit Trees in Winter
Garden chores may slow down this season, but pruning your fruit trees now means healthier plants that will produce more
Full Story
Winter Gardening
Get a Head Start on Planning Your Garden Even if It’s Snowing
Reviewing what you grew last year now will pay off when it’s time to head outside
Full Story
Landscape Design
Pros Share Their Top Plant Picks for a Low-Maintenance Yard
Landscape pros weigh in on the plants they’d use — and ones they’d avoid — to create an easy-care garden
Full Story
Landscape Design
10 Tips for Planting a Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Landscape
Landscape pros share their advice for planning a garden that’s easy to care for
Full Story
Gardening Guides
12 Gardening Ideas You Can Count as Resolutions
See how to set up your outdoor areas for more enjoyment next year and make them a bit more earth-friendly in the process
Full Story
Holidays
Last-Minute Ideas for Attractive Winter Container Designs
Create a welcoming holiday entryway with ideas from these 9 looks
Full Story
Winter Gardening
8 Tips for Keeping Your Houseplants Healthy in Winter
Reduce watering, stop fertilizing, move them into the light and more
Full Story
Fall Gardening
7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden
Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax
Full Story
We use succulents all the time, they other good thing about succulents is that they usually look good all year long. So feel free to use them for curb appeal!
Awesome cool plants!
Ahhhh Noel,You always make it look so easy!! Here are a few problems I have been experiencing in the blazing hot inland empire temperatures of 95-110 all summer. I had a beautiful chalk-stick plant in a lime green which grew for years and became so leggy that it took over much of the yard.I saw no other way to get rid of the 3 foot stems then to cut it way back which didnt look great so I took it out.Now I found some blue chalk-sticks for the height I need at 2-3 feet hopefully,but from the looks of it they dont form that long stem look as they spread. Is that correct? I didnt buy a flat of the ground-cover but rather a container,5 gallon of a taller version. Well this plant also spread a lot?
Next I had a beautiful paddle plant which grew so fast in the middle where the flowers came out. It grew 3 feet straight up in a month then the leaves of the main plant got kinda soft and it looked bad. Too much water? It went from healthy to sad quickly. Next is my padalanthus,slipper plant,which is almost 6 feet tall and growing incredibly fast in width height and pups everywhere. I keep pruning the circumference which wants to droop towards the ground in order to keep the plant looking uniform and going straight up in what is now a 5 feet circle around the entire plant.Its huge. Why do so many stalks separate from the main grouping and tend to gravitate outward instead of upward,too much water or took much weight? Is the only solution to keep pruning and replanting those crazy twisty stalks elsewhere? My aloes too have multiplied 10 times in size but often have yellowish leaves on the bottom and it doesnt look as healthy as when I first bought it. water,sun? The barrel cactus are huge and flowering and look great. The prickly pear is doing great but I tried to get it to bloom more this summer and it didnt want to. I gave it fertilizer and extra water but it only bloomed for a month. Suggestions? Any other ideas as far as what I can add for height to put next to my giant slipper plant to balance the landscape? I know that the climate here is challenging reaching 115 at times in the summer and 32 at times in the winter. Appreciate
your help and the help you gave me years ago when I first got started.Debbie