Succulent Winter Survival Guide

Cold Weather Care for your Succulents

So you started with an innocent purchase. One little, very cute succulent. Maybe you heard they were easy to take care of, maybe you were roped in by the lure of drought tolerance, or maybe it was just how different the little thing looked.

If you are like me, that innocent purchase has blossomed into an entire collection, a veritable forest of succulents. In the ground, in pots, perhaps even in clever little miniature gardens. Great. You love them.  But now it's cold and damp and frost is on the forecast. So what do you do to protect what started as a small purchase and has now grown to rival the national debt?

First thing is to warn the family that friends will be coming to stay for a while. Then start bringing all the little potted darlings inside. Succulents make excellent house plants and since most of them are dormant in winter, they require very little attention. Find a spot in your home where they can receive at least 3-4 hours of sunlight a day. It can be indirect light and cloudy days don't count. Since they are dormant they should not receive any fertilizer and you can get away with watering them once a month or so. Err on the side of neglect. (The perfect kind of house guests!)

Kitchen window sills make a great winter home for some of my succulent collection.

You do need to check for pests every now and again. Aphids and mealy bugs may have decided to come in to escape the cold too. (Mealy bugs are the little cottony looking bugs.) To combat either, just mix up a 3:1 ratio of rubbing alcohol and water. It can be sprayed on the plants but I find it more successful to apply it directly to the pests with a q-tip. 

So what if your succulents are too big to bring inside or are planted in the ground? Just consider that cold winter temperatures combined with water clogged soil is a combination for disaster. If you can provide the potted plants with protection from the rain they will thank you, so drag them up closer to the house to get protection under the eaves. If frost is on the forecast then be sure to cover them at night. You don't need anything fancy, just use an old sheet or tarp. Just try to rig it so the cover does not touch the leaves. The cover will need to come off during the day when the temperatures are above freezing. Repeat this labor of love until all threat of frost is past.

Jennifer

www.secretgarden-online.com

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Ps. Weather forecast says it will drop below freezing in Elk Grove starting early Sunday morning and run for about 4-5 days. Best to make up the guest rooms now! 😉