Last month I posted my first blog on succulent varieties. As I was doing research, I quickly realized that all of the varieties I wanted to talk about simply wouldn't fit into one post. So, here's round 2! Even with a second post, I won't be cover every succulent variety. But these, along with the varieties in my last post, should give you a good picture of how diverse and amazing succulents are! Sedums embody what it means to be a succulent. Many of them have thick, fleshy leaves and come in colorful pastels. Sedums typically aren't tall succulents. Instead, they like to grow low to the ground in clumps with multiple rosettes or "heads" attached to one stem. You can separate one of these heads and replant it, starting a new clump. Sedums tend to have delicate leaves, and like to be left alone. But, if you do happen to knock a few leaves off, they will likely start to grow baby succulents! There are also many Sedums that are cold-hardy, meaning they can thrive even in temperatures below freezing. These sedums are sometime called "stonecrop." Stonecrop sedums, like the ones in the picture below, are typically smaller than non-frost tolerate sedums, but they come in all colors and shapes. They grow low to the ground, creating a kind of carpet. Because of this, they are used in landscaping, even in Michigan! Kalanchoes are a lesser-know family, but there are a few famous succulents in this variety. Probably the most well- know is Kalanchoe thyrsifora or 'Flapjacks.' This plant is one of my favorite succulents because of it's unique shape and bright red edges. 'Panda Plant' is also a famous kalanchoe and one of the few succulents with fuzzy leaves! Kalanchoes come in many colors, some even gold or white. They are usually taller plants, and have flat, paddle-like leaves. Some kalanchoes, like 'Mother of Thousands,' grow tiny plants on the edges of their leaves. When these babies are large enough, they can be separated and grow on their own! Aloes and Haworthias are very similar to each other, which is why I included them in the same section. Both tend to be shades of green and have triangular leaves that grow in star-like shapes. They are low-light succulent and hard to kill. They also both reproduce through off-shoots, baby plants which grow connected to the mother plant. However, there are some notable differences. Haworthias are usually smaller than aloes and can have a more "squatty" shape. Also, the flowers of an aloe are colorful, while a haworthia's flowers are small and white. The most definite way to tell them apart is to look for tiny "teeth" along the edge of the leaves. If the plant has these tiny ridges, it's an aloe. If not, you're looking at a haworthia. Many people think of cacti as separate from succulents. But, the truth is, cacti are just a specific kind of succulent. Like other succulents, cacti can be a variety of shapes and sizes. But, what they all have in common are spines, or, more specifically, areoles (the areas where flowers or spines grow out the cactus). However, not all cacti are dangerous to touch. Some have large areas with no spines, and some are covered with a soft, cottony, layer. Still, it's a good idea to get more information before you decide to pet your cactus. Some will give you miniscule needles that you'll be picking out of you hands for days! Trust me, I know from experience :)
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Common Name: Zebra Plant, Zebra Haworthia Scientific Name: Haworthia attenuata, Haworthiopsis attenuata
Common Problems:
Like my aloes, I have noticed that exposing these plants to extremely bright sunlight causes them to turn a rusty orange. So, try to avoid putting a zebra plant in direct sunlight. Save that precious space for you more sun-loving succulents! Megan’s Thoughts: I like that this succulent has an interesting shape, but isn’t very tall. Most short plants are sedums (like Burro’s Tail) or echeverias (like PerIe Von Nurnberg) which have similar shapes. Adding a zebra plant changes things up, and makes the arrangement more interesting. I also love the white stripes that give them their name, and which you don’t find on many other plants. To top all of this, zebra plants are one of the few kinds of succulents that thrive in indirect sunlight, which means they can be placed in the middle of a room, away from a window. Unfortunately for me, these plants can be hard to find at my supplier. So, whenever I see one, I snatch it up! |
Megan KamperHi! I am the creator of Thrive Living Art! I love to learn about how to help plants thrive, and then combine that knowledge with my creativity to make living art! On my blog, you'll learn more about taking care of succulents and other plants. You'll also find out what Thrive is up to, and where I'll be selling my art next! Buy your creation in person!Archives
December 2020
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