Why I Love Succulents (and Why You Will Too)

There’s something incredibly satisfying about growing succulents. Maybe it’s their sculptural shapes, their soft, chalky colours, or the way they seem to thrive without demanding too much from you. They’re quite unfussy and forgiving - everything you want when you’re just starting out in the garden.

For me, succulents were one of those plants that just clicked. They taught me patience, restraint (especially with watering!), and how powerful the right conditions can be. And if you’re at the beginning of your gardening journey, I genuinely don’t think you can go far wrong starting here.

They’re low maintenance, beautiful year-round, and incredibly rewarding once you understand what they need.

My own succulent collection which I've been adding to for the past 8 years or so.

My Top 5 Tips for Succulent Success

1. Choose the Right Pot (Drainage is Everything)

If you take one thing away from this, let it be this: always use a pot with a drainage hole - especially if you're just starting a collection.

Succulents hate sitting in water. Without drainage, excess moisture has nowhere to go - and that’s when roots start to rot. Terracotta pots are a great choice too, as they’re breathable and help the soil dry out more quickly.

2. Give Them Plenty of Sunlight

Succulents are sun-lovers. The more light you can give them, the happier (and more compact) they’ll be.

A bright windowsill, greenhouse, or sunny spot in the garden is ideal. Without enough light, they can become stretched and leggy - still alive, but not at their best.

3. Use a Very Gritty Soil Mix

This is where a lot of people go wrong.

Standard compost often contains too much organic matter, which holds onto moisture for too long. Succulents need a free-draining, gritty mix - something that mimics their natural, arid environment.

You can either buy specialist cactus/succulent compost or make your own by adding grit, sand, perlite or even crushed shells to improve drainage.

4. Water Only When Completely Dry

Overwatering is the quickest way to kill a succulent.

Instead of watering little and often, wait until the soil is completely dry, then give them a proper soak. After that, leave them alone again until they dry out fully.

They store water in their leaves for a reason - trust them to manage.

5. Finish with a Top Dressing

This is one of my favourite finishing touches - and it’s not just for looks.

Adding a top dressing (like shells) helps:

• Keep those chubby leaves off damp soil

• Improve drainage at the surface

• Reduce the risk of rot

And of course, it looks beautiful too - brightening up pots and giving that clean, styled finish.

Echeveria ‘Ramillette’

A striking, large clump-forming Echeveria that makes a real statement in pots or rockeries.

In strong light, the fleshy rosettes develop beautiful red tones along the leaf tips and undersides, adding depth and contrast to its soft green base colour. As the plant matures, it forms multiple offsets, creating a full, sculptural display.

In spring, ‘Ramillette’ produces elegant flower spikes topped with clusters of delicate, orange bell-shaped blooms - an added bonus to an already eye-catching plant.

My Top 5 Succulents to Start Your Collection

If you’re just getting started, these are some of the easiest and most rewarding varieties to grow:

1. Echeveria

The classic rosette shape everyone loves. Comes in beautiful soft tones and stays fairly compact.

2. Crassula ovata (Jade Plant)

A brilliant beginner plant. Tough, forgiving, and can grow into a lovely chunky specimen over time.

3. Sedum (Stonecrop)

Great for both pots and ground cover. Fast-growing and very adaptable.

4. Haworthia

Perfect for slightly shadier spots. Smaller, architectural, and ideal for windowsills.

5. Sempervivum (Houseleeks)

One of the hardiest options - brilliant outdoors and great for beginners. They multiply easily too, which is always satisfying.

How I Grow Mine (and Overwintering Tips)

I keep all of my succulents in an unheated greenhouse throughout the year, and they absolutely thrive there.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that succulents can’t handle the cold. In reality, many varieties can tolerate sub-zero temperatures - as long as their roots are kept dry.

That’s the key.

I typically:

• Stop watering around September/October

• Leave them completely dry through winter

• Start watering again around February, depending on temperatures

By keeping the compost dry, you protect the roots from freezing damage - and the plants essentially go into a natural rest period.

A little Easter succulent arrangement that I made from cuttings back in 2024

Final Thoughts

Succulents are the perfect gateway into gardening. They teach you the fundamentals - light, drainage, restraint - without overwhelming you.

And once you get the hang of them, it becomes a bit addictive… suddenly you’ve got trays of them, little collections forming, and you’re spotting new varieties everywhere you go.

If you’re just starting out, start simple. A few pots, the right mix, a sunny spot - and you’re well on your way.

Caryl x