Fall in Love with Succulents
Indoor succulents are wildly popular, primarily because of their unique beauty – the diversity in shapes, textures, and colors makes for true aesthetic inspiration. We love succulents as they elevate the design and style of any space – and they make fantastic additions to living wall displays. Not only are succulents eye-catching, but they are very easy to care for, making them a popular choice for homes and places of business. Are you a fan of succulents like we are?
What is a Succulent? A succulent is a plant characterized by fleshy leaves that have evolved to store water efficiently. Most succulents are native to desert regions that experience hot, dry seasons, making their water retention capabilities a key adaptation.
Succulents can be found growing in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and colors. Most varieties are coveted for their unique leaves, but some also produce flowering blooms. Succulents thrive in dry soil and high temperatures, and most will not tolerate cold. Therefore, they are ideal indoor plants for any region, but they also do exceptionally well in Florida outdoor gardens and atriums.
To successfully cultivate these beautiful plants in your home or office, place them in a location that receives abundant bright sunlight – keeping in mind that if the natural light and heat become too intense, the leaves may scorch. In the heat of summer, therefore, a little shade will help.
Did You Know? Succulents are exceptionally hardy and can withstand a lot. However, rotting caused by too much water can kill them.
Five Favorite Varieties of Succulents
- Aeonium (Black Rose)
These beautiful indoor succulents come in a range of sizes, from the Aeonium arboreum, which features flowers on tall stalks and resembles a small tree, to the “dinner plate” aeonium, which is short, wide plant. Colors may be pale green, orange-red, or dark burgundy, and some plants produce star-shaped flowers from late winter to early summer.
- Echeveria Pink TippedEcheveria is a compact succulent variety known for colorful leaf rosettes that look like waterlilies. The leaves may have jade green, deep purple, pink, or pale blue-green leaves, and may also produce orange, red, or pink flowers on long stems.
- Aloe
The most well-known plant in this grouping is aloe vera. However, although Floridians may appreciate its soothing gel when they are sunburned, aloe vera is far from the most attractive aloe plant. That distinction may fall to the smaller lace aloe or the partridge-breasted aloe, with its distinctive, white-striped foliage. Aloes may also produce yellow, orange, pink, or red flowers on long, tubular stems – but the blooms are less likely to occur when cultivated indoors.
- Crassula (Jade)Crassulas are an ideal option for those who don’t have a lot of time to care for plants – they are nearly indestructible. The most popular variety is the Crassula ovata (or money tree), which showcases fleshy, oval, green leaves with a thin red-edged border. Many of the crassula plants grow very slowly, so if you want a larger plant, buy it at the size you desire. The exception is the tiny jade necklace plant which grows to just 4in in height and features unique square leaves on gently trailing stems.
- Pachyphytum (Moonstones) The smooth round leaves of the Pachyphytum are said to resemble sugared almonds. They are often aesthetically paired with pink- and purple-leaved echeverias. Moonstone varieties are also available with pink, mauve, and peach-colored leaves, and small flowers on long stems may appear between the foliage during the spring.
These are only five of the hundreds of succulent varieties you can choose from. Succulents are especially popular for use in the living plant walls that grace area hotels, corporate offices, medical facilities, and airport terminals.
Plant Leasing with Tropex
When you work with Tropex plant leasing, you never have to worry about choosing the right plant or knowing how to care for it. Our team of botanists and horticulturalists will meet with you to determine the right plants for your space, professionally install the plants, and provide ongoing maintenance to ensure their health and vitality. And you never have to worry if you need a change – because the plants are leased, you can swap out your style or design whenever you like.
Call Tropex today to learn more about our Sarasota plant leasing services.
