In the garden, succulents are not stingy with their extravagant charms. Some magnificent species have sufficient winter hardiness to cause a stir in the bed. The exotic origin and special preference for spartan conditions should be taken into account when planting. Important questions about the correct planting receive a practice-tested answer here.

Succulents thrive best in sunny locations

Which location is suitable?

Succulent plants come from regions of the world where there is plenty of sun and little rain. Therefore, choose a location in the garden that is equal to these conditions. A warm, full sun is ideal. This can also be a sheltered wall niche facing south, which at the same time keeps a large part of the rain away from the succulents.

What soil conditions are beneficial for succulents?

Succulents are not adapted to the rainy climate of our regions. The soil in the sunny location should therefore be well drained down to a depth of about 30 cm so that excess water can drain off quickly. The concentrated nutrient load of normal garden soil does not suit the exotic survival artists either. By enriching the soil before planting with quartz sand (€15.85) or fine grit (€46.95), you optimize the permeability and at the same time lean the soil in a way that is suitable for succulents.

When is the best planting time?

When it comes to the best time to plant, succulents are in line with other perennials in the garden. When no more ground frosts are to be expected from the beginning/middle of May, the window for planting opens. At higher altitudes, we recommend waiting until the beginning of June, when the danger of the cold has passed.

How does the planting process work in detail?

A key function is the professional preparation of the soil. Rake the bed thoroughly until the soil is finely crumbly. Weeds, old roots and larger stones are removed. If there is any doubt about the permeability, dig up the soil spade-deep and mix the excavated material up to a third with quartz sand or chippings. Proceed with these steps:

  • Dig a planting pit for each succulent with 1.5 times the volume of the root ball
  • Spread quartz sand or pebbles on the bottom of the pit to protect against waterlogging
  • Repot the plants and position them in the center of the planting hole
  • Fill up with the enriched excavation so that the previous planting depth is maintained

Press the substrate down with your (gloved) hands so that there is good contact with the soil without air pockets. Finally, cover the soil with a thin layer of grit, pebbles or sand. The inorganic material prevents the formation of rot by direct contact of the succulent shoots, leaves or rosettes with the substrate.

tips

When choosing a location, plan the tricky overwintering of your succulents in the garden. Without adequate moisture protection, even your most winter-hardy jewels are lost. Ideally, plant hardy succulents in the rain shade of a wall or leave enough space for a translucent canopy to protect against snow and rain.

Category:

Vegetable garden