You don't have to live in the desert to grow beautiful succulent plants. In fact, succulents are adaptable plants since they mostly grow in harsh conditions, saving water in preparation for drought, according to Birds & Blooms magazine.
"Succulents live on very little water," said local Master Gardener Michael Payne. "The best soil mix is a little compost with a little sand. If left outside, it helps to protect the plant with mulch."
Aloe, one of the most popular succulents, is good for burns, he said.
For additional information about succulents, visit the Chattanooga Cactus and Succulent Society website at affiliates.cssainc.org.
Payne offers the following tips on growing and maintaining succulents:
FIVE TIPS
1 Use a mixture of potting soil, topsoil and sand. This will give nutrients but allow for easy rooting.
2 Water sparingly. Too much water can actually hurt the plants.
3 Pick plants that you can work with indoors. Most plants will need to be moved indoors during the winter. If you get the larger succulents, it may grow too big and heavy to relocate easily.
4 During the winter, find a place on a south-facing window so the plant can receive as much sunlight as possible. Most plants love arid climates with lots of sun.
5 Let it rest. During the winter, reduce the water and do not fertilize until you get ready to move the plant outside during the spring. Add a little all-purpose fertilizer to get it off to a good start.