Succulents

1. Octopus Agave (Agava vilmoriniana)

Types of Agave
Almost every climate is capable of growing agave as some are hardy down to single
digits for short periods of time and with shelter. Agave is in the Agavaceae family of
succulents which include dracaena, yucca and ponytail palms.

The century plant (Agave americana) is one of the most notorious landscape agaves. It produces
a lovely inflorescence (flower) and then the main plant dies, leaving behind pups or offsets. The
American agave or American aloe, as it is also called, has a white stripe running down the center
of the leaves. It is a warm season agave only.

There are many other types of agave, which makes it easy to find and garden with this stunning
plant. Some of these include:

 Agave parryi
 Agave ocahui
 Agave macroacantha
 Agave gigantensis

Planting Agave
Agave have a large tap root and do not transplant well, so choose an appropriate site when
planting agave. The majority of the roots are surface roots and do not require a deep hole if
planted when young.

Check your soil for drainage, or if planting in heavy clay soils amend the soil with sand or grit.
Mix in enough sand to make the soil halfway comprised of grit.

Water the plant diligently for the first week and then cut it to half the second week. Taper off
even more until you are only watering once every week or two.

How to Grow Agave

Growing agave is easy if you plant the right variety in the right location. Agaves need full sun
and gritty soil that percolates easily. They can even do quite well when potted but use an
unglazed clay pot that will allow evaporation of excess moisture.

Water needs are moderate to light depending upon the heat of the season but the plants should be
allowed to dry out before irrigation.

In spring they benefit from the application of a granulated time release fertilizer that will provide
nutrient needs for the season.
 Many varieties of agave will die after blooming and then produce pups or offshoots from their
base to replace themselves. On varieties where the parent plant doesn’t die after flowering, it is a
good idea to get long handled pruners and remove the spent bloom.

After establishment, neglect is actually how to grow agave and produce happy plants.

Agave Plant Care in Pots

Agave that are grown in pots require even more grit in the soil and can actually be planted in a
cactus mix. The addition of small rocks or pebbles to the soil increases the drainage capabilities
of the container.

Agave plants in containers will require more water than those in the ground and will need to be
re-potted every year or so to replenish soil and root prune the plant. Agave plant care for
container grown plants is otherwise the same and it affords you the ability to bring sensitive
forms indoors when temperatures plummet.

2. Century Plant (Agava americana)

Step 1
Select a planting location for the century plant that receives full sun and has well-drained
soil. Prepare the planting site by loosening the soil with a shovel to the same depth as the
plant's root ball and about three times as wide.

Step 2
Spread a one-inch layer of sand over the area and use a garden tiller to incorporate into the
soil to improve drainage. Dig a planting hole about the same size as the century plant's root
ball, place the plant into hole and gently back-fill with soil.

Step 3
Water the century plant thoroughly immediately after planting. Continue watering once every
three to five days until the plant becomes established, usually about one month. Soak the
soil to a depth of at least six inches at each watering.

Step 4
Reduce watering to once per week after the plant is established and continue during late
spring, summer and fall. Allow the century plant to dry out between watering. Do not water
in winter or early spring. Avoid over-watering, as this could cause root rot.
 Step 5
Feed century plants annually in January with a balanced fertilizer to promote growth
throughout the coming months. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for the proper
application rate. Water thoroughly before and after applying to prevent root injury.

Step 6
Remove all dead and damaged leaves once per year, but otherwise allow the century plant
to grow naturally. Do not prune back healthy leaves, as they will not heal after being cut.
Remove the entire plant from the garden after the flower stalk fades, as the plant will grow
no longer.
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Tips and Warnings

 Do not water century plant with water that contains fluoride, as this substance can burn the
leaf tips and cause them to turn brown or yellow.

Things You'll Need

 Shovel
 Sand
 Garden tiller
 Balanced fertilizer

3. Tree Aloe (Aloe arborescens)

Latin name: Aloe arborescens
Common name: Tree Aloe, Krantz Aloe
Plant group: Succulents
Plant family: Asphodelaceae
Synonym: Aloe perfoliata
Aloe arborea
Aloe fruticosa
Minimal temperature: 5°C (41°F)
Optimal temperature: 22-26°C (71-78°F)
Recommended place: sunny moderate shaded
Soil: succulents soil
Plant form: upright, columnar
shrubby, bushy
Height: 150 cm (58.5 in.)
Flower color: Red
Repotting: every 36 months (3 years)
Rarity: no
Pests: Schield louse (Coccoidea)
Woolly schield louse (Pseudococcidae)
Diseases: Basal rot (Sclerotium cacticola)
Fire Blight (Erwinia)
Bacterial wilt (Pseudomonas)
Bacterial diseases ()
Fungal wilt (Verticillium)
Yellow fungus (Fusarium oxysporum)
Origin country: South Africa

4. Dwarf Aloe (Aloe aristata)

Aloe aristata is a small hardy succulent plant popular as an indoor plant. It is a stemless, up to 12
inches (30 cm) tall, clump-forming succulent with dense rosettes of stubby, lance-shaped, toothed,
white-margined, dark green leaves, up to 4 inches (10 cm) long, with small white spots and soft white
spines, particularly beneath. In the fall, produces terminal panicles, up to 20 inches (50 cm) tall, 2 to 6
branched, bearing cylindrical, orange-red flowers, up to 1.5 inches (4 cm) long.
Growing Conditions
Light: Bright light suits Aloe aristata. It will not thrive if permanently placed at a distance from a
window.
Soil: Dry and well drained gritty soils are suitable for these plants. Sandy free draining soil will keep
the Aloe aristata healthy. Use cactus compost or add sand to improve the garden soil drainage.
Temperature: Aloe aristata plants grow well in normal room temperatures and are tolerant of dry air.
To encourage flowering, however, it is best to give the plants a short winter rest at a temperature of no
more that 50°F (10°C).
Watering: During the active growth period water plentifully as often as necessary to keep the potting
mixture thoroughly moist. During the rest period water only enough to prevent the potting mixture
 from drying out. Do not permit water to collect in the tight rosette.
Fertilizing: Feed Aloe aristata very little now and then during the active growth period.
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Potting and Repotting

Use a soil based potting mixture. Most Aloe aristata should be moved into pots one size larger every spring.
Keep these plants in shallow pots. When maximum convenient pot size has been reached, plants should be top
dressed with fresh potting mixture once a year. To prevent rot, make sure that these plants which have tick
basal leaves are never buried deeper than they were before. A sprinkling of coarse sand over the surface of the
potting mixture helps to prevent rot points where fleshy leaves of these stemless plants touch the soil.

General Care

In order to grow Aloe aristata in temperate climates they will need to be taken inside during the coldest
weather and keep them in bright sunlight during the summer. This species is hardier than many other species
within its genus, but will still appreciate the warmth. It requires very little maintenance, making it an ideal
choice for novice gardeners.They flower freely in the summer and the soft-orange flowers are a wonderful
addition to the arid garden. This genus is well known for its ease of cultivation, but they are sensitive to
excessive irrigation. Provide regular watering in spring and summer to make the soil thoroughly moist then
allow the soil to dry before watering again. In winter (during the dormant season) water sparingly or not at all,
as it is prone to rotting; a thin layer of gravel on top of the soil will help to prevent this.

Propagation

Aloe aristata produces offsets that can be taken from the base of a plant early in summer. These small new
rosettes are often attached to the parent by a short underground stolon and may already have little roots, which
should be retained for propagation propose. Because very tiny offsets are hard to root, they should not be
removed for planting until their leaves have begun to open into the characteristic rosette shape. Offsets will
root in two to three weeks in the standard potting mixture if some coarse sand is sprinkled at the base of the
rosette to prevent rotting. Until offsets are well established, they should be provided with bright light without
direct sunlight and they should be watered only enough to moisten the potting mixture, allowing the top two-
thirds of the potting mixture to dry out between waterings.

Also, Aloe aristata can be propagated by seed sown in warm environment as soon as ripe.

Pests and Problems

Most likely to be caused by incorrect watering. A properly watered Aloe aristata plant can resist most pests
and diseases. Wilting is the result of inadequate water in summer. Yellowing leaves accompanied by rotting at
the base is the result of overwatering plants kept in cool winter conditions.

Mealy bugs and root mealy bugs ca be troublesome. The former hide deep in the crevices of rosette foliage and
the latter generally bury themselves in the roots, just below the surface of the potting mixture.
Treatment: Remove visible bugs with a toothpick or a damp cloth or swab them off foliage with a small, stiff
paintbrush dipped in methylated spirit or an insecticide solution. Then spray all top growth with an appropriate
pesticide. Alternatively, place granules of a systemic pesticide in the potting mixture. During the next month
examine plants weekly for traces of reinfestation.
Scale insects can also infest this plant.
Treatment: Scale can be easily controlled by physical removal, wash off with high pressure jet of water or
scrape off with cotton wool buds or by chemical control with appropriate pesticide.

Source: plantsrescue.com

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5. Barbados Aloe (Aloe barbadensis)

How to Grow an Aloe Plant
The first step in aloe vera plant care is to realize that this plant is a succulent. Like cacti,
succulents do best in dry conditions. When growing aloe vera plants, plant them in a
cactus potting soil mix or a regular potting soil that has been amended with additional
perlite or building sand. Also, make sure that the pot has plenty of drainage holes. Aloe
vera plants cannot tolerate standing water.
One important thing in the care of aloe vera houseplants is that they have proper light.
Aloe vera plants need bright light, so they do best in south- or west-facing windows.
Care of Aloe Houseplants
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Another important part of how to grow an aloe plant is to water the plant properly. Thsoil
of the aloe vera plant should be allowed to go completely dry before being watered.
When the aloe plant is watered, the soil should be thoroughly drenched, but the water
should be allowed to drain freely from the soil. The most common reason an aloe plant
dies is that the owners water too often or do not allow the water to drain. Do not make
this mistake when taking care of aloe houseplants.
You can fertilize your aloe vera plant, but aloes do not need to be fertilized. If you decide
to add fertilizing to part of your aloe vera plant care routine, aloe vera plants should be
fertilized once a year in the spring. You can use a phosphorus-heavy water-based
fertilizer at half strength.
Growing aloe vera houseplants is not only easy but can also provide your family with a
plant that can help treat minor burns and rashes. Now that you know a little more about
how to care for an aloe vera plant, you need never be without this lovely and helpful
plant.

6. Jeweled Aloe (Aloe distans)

Characteristics
Cultivar: n/a

Family: Liliaceae

Size: Height: 0 ft. to 1.67 ft.

 Width: 0 ft. to 0 ft.

Plant Category: cacti and other succulents, houseplants,

perennials,

Plant Characteristics: low maintenance, medicinal, seed start,

Foliage Characteristics: evergreen,

Foliage Color: blue-green to gold, silver to cream, variegated,

Flower Characteristics: erect, showy,

Flower Color: reds, yellows,

Tolerances: drought,
Requirements
Bloomtime Range: Early Winter to Late Winter

USDA Hardiness Zone: 11 to 11

AHS Heat Zone: Not defined for this plant

Light Range: Full Sun to Full Sun

pH Range: 5.5 to 6.5

Soil Range: Some Sand to Sandy Loam

Water Range: Semi-Arid to Dry

Aloe distans also known as Jeweled Aloe , Golden Toothed Aloe, and Umbrella Aloe .

A low growing succulent , spreading type of habit, tight rosettes 3 to 8 inches in diameter, fleshy
green leaves with yellow teeth on the margin

Golden Toothed Aloe will take full sun to partial shade and still bloom well.

Grow outdoors in a mild wintered area or as a house plant anywhere.

The Pink flowers are born on tall stalks 10 to 16 inches above the foliage , it looks like an
umbrella in shape.

7. Rosary Vine/ String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)

Origin: South Africa
Height: Trails to 3 ft (90 cm) or more
Light: Bright light with some direct sun
Water: Keep the soil lightly moist in spring and summer.
Water sparingly in fall and winter. A semi-succulent, this
plant is more tolerant of dry soil than wet.
Humidity: Moderate room humidity
 Temperature: Normal room temperatures 65-75°F/18-
24°C
Soil: Mix 1 part good-quality potting mix and 1 part sand or
perlite for fast drainage.
Fertilizer: Feed monthly in spring and summer with a
balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.
Propagation: Take stem tip cuttings and insert cut ends in
moist soil. Or, cut off stem tubers and place them on the
surface of the soil.

8. Jade Plant (Crassula argentea)

Plant jade plants in cactus soil with some added organic matter or mix your own with 1 part soil,
1 part peat moss and 3 parts coarse builder's sand.

Place jade plants in a southern window where they receive at least four hours of direct sunlight.
Some varieties, typically those with variegated leaves, prefer less light and can be grown
successfully in bright, indirect light.

Water jade plants to keep the soil slightly moist during the summer when they are actively
growing. Reduce watering in the winter, allowing the soil to dry slightly before watering again.

Fertilize jade plants with a water-soluble fertilizer designed for houseplants once every three to
four months. Wait at least three months before applying fertilizer on newly started plants.

Maintain daytime temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime

temperatures between 50 and 55 F.

Tip

 Root cuttings from jade plants in moist sand. Although they will root in a glass or vase of water,
the North Dakota State University Extension warns that jade cuttings rooted in water do not
transplant well.

 If your jade plant becomes top-heavy, slip its plant pot into a larger pot and fill in between the
pots with fresh soil. This gives your jade plant the support it needs without the need to repot the
plant.

 Pinch out new growth on jade plants with your thumb and finger to encourage the plant to fill out
and develop dense foliage, if it begins to look leggy or spindly.

Warning

 Move jade plants away from windows at night during the winter to avoid injury from the cold.
 9. Hen and Chicks (Echeveria imbricata)
1

Place potted plants in an area that receives full sunlight. Grow potted plants in a fast-draining
cactus mix in a pot that contains at least one bottom drainage hole. Outdoors, plant hens-and-
chicks in a sandy or rocky bed that drains quickly and receives full sun to part shade.

Water the plants only when the soil dries out completely. Water until moisture drips from the
bottom of the pot and empty the pot's drip tray after the soil finishes draining, usually within 30
to 60 minutes. Garden plants rarely require watering.

Cut old rosettes of foliage from the plant after they produce a flower and die back naturally. Cut
the rosettes off the plant at ground level with a clean, sharp knife.

Remove offsets, or small new plants, from the outside of a group of hens-and-chicks to
propagate new plants. Cut the small offsets from the small plants just below the soil surface with
a sharp knife. Plant the rosettes in a well-draining bed or pot of cactus soil immediately after
removal. The offsets quickly set roots and grow into new plants.

Things You Will Need

 Pot with drip tray

 Cactus soil
 Knife

Tip

 Hens-and-chicks resist most diseases and insect pests. They can suffer from root rot in poorly
draining soils or if you over-water them.

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10. Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)

In Thailand it is said that the number of flowers on a Euphorbia crown of thorns plant
foretells the luck of the plant keeper. Over the past 20 years, hybridizers have improved
the plant so that it produces more and larger flowers (and if the saying is true, better luck)
than ever before. In the right setting, hybrids of Euphorbia (crown of thorns) bloom
almost year round.
How to Grow Crown of Thorns Indoors
 If you’re looking for a plant that thrives in the conditions inside most homes, try the crown of
thorns plant (Euphorbia milii). Growing the plant is easy because it adapts well to normal
room temperatures and in dry indoor environments. It also forgives occasional missed
waterings and feedings without complaint.

Crown of thorns houseplant care begins with placing the plant in the best possible
location. Place the plant in a very sunny window where it will receive three to four hours
of direct sunlight each day.
Average room temperatures of between 65-75 F. (18-24 C.) degrees Fahrenheit are fine.
The plant can withstand temperatures as low as 50 F. (10 C.) in winter and as high as 90
F. (32 C.) in summer

Crown of Thorns Growing Care

From spring through late fall, water the crown of thorns plant when the soil is dry at a depth of
about an inch, which is about the length of your finger to the first knuckle. Water the plant by
flooding the pot with water. After all of the excess water has drained through, empty the saucer
under the pot so that the roots aren’t left sitting in water. In winter, allow the soil to dry to a
depth of 2 or 3 inches before watering.

Feed the plant with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. Water the plant with the fertilizer every two
weeks in spring, summer and fall. In winter, dilute the fertilizer to half strength and use it
monthly.

Repot the plant every two years in late winter or early spring. Crown of thorns needs a potting
soil that drains quickly. A mix designed for cacti and succulents is ideal. Use a pot that is large
enough to accommodate the roots comfortably. Remove as much of the old potting soil as
possible without damaging the roots. As potting soil ages, it loses its ability to manage water
effectively, and this can lead to root rot and other problems.

Wear gloves when working with crown of thorns. The plant is poisonous if eaten and the sap
causes skin irritations. Crown of thorns is also poisonous to pets and should be kept out of their
reach.

11. Baseball Plant (Euphorbia obesa)

How to Grow Baseball Euphorbia

Euphorbia obesa care is minimal, making it the perfect houseplant for someone who travels a
lot. It simply requires heat, light, a well draining soil, container, and minimal water. It makes a
perfect container plant by itself or surrounded by other succulents.
A good cactus mix or potting soil amended with grit make excellent mediums for growing a
baseball plant. Add a little gravel to the soil and use an unglazed pot which will promote
evaporation of any excess water.

Once you have the plant in a location in your home, avoid moving it which stresses out the plant
and can minimize its health. Overwatering is the most common cause of malaise in baseball
plant. It is used to only 12 inches of rain per year, so a good deep watering once every few
months in winter and once per month in the growing season is more than sufficient.

Fertilizing is not necessary as part of good Euphorbia

baseball care, but you How to Grow Baseball Euphorbia
Euphorbia obesa care is minimal, making it the perfect houseplant for someone who travels a
lot. It simply requires heat, light, a well draining soil, container, and minimal water. It makes a
perfect container plant by itself or surrounded by other succulents.

A good cactus mix or potting soil amended with grit make excellent mediums for growing a
baseball plant. Add a little gravel to the soil and use an unglazed pot which will promote
evaporation of any excess water.

Once you have the plant in a location in your home, avoid moving it which stresses out the plant
and can minimize its health. Overwatering is the most common cause of malaise in baseball
plant. It is used to only 12 inches of rain per year, so a good deep watering once every few
months in winter and once per month in the growing season is more than sufficient.

Fertilizing is not necessary as part of good Euphorbia baseball care, but you

12. Milk Bush/ Pencil Bush/ Pencil Tree (Euphorbia tirucalli)

Bloom Characteristics:
Unknown - Tell us

Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Where to Grow:
Suitable for growing in containers
This plant is suitable for growing indoors
Height:
 12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
Spacing:
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)

Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Danger:
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color:
Pale Yellow
Inconspicuous/none

Bloom Time:
Late Winter/Early Spring
Late Summer/Early Fall
Foliage:
Evergreen
Other details:
Unknown - Tell us
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From herbaceous stem cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
Seed Collecting:
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed

Regional
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
 , (4 reports)
Millbrook, Alabama
Goodyear, Arizona
Peoria, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona

13. Mother-in-Law’s Tongue/ Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Snake Plant Info – How to Grow a Snake Plant

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Growing snake plant from cuttings is relatively easy. The most important thing to remember is
that they can easily rot, so a free draining soil needs to be used. Leaf cuttings are the usual
method but probably the easiest way to propagate snake plants is by dividing. The roots produce
fleshy rhizomes, which can simply be removed with a sharp knife and potted up. Again, these
will need to go into a free draining soil.

Snake Plant Care

After they have been propagated, the care of snake plants is very easy. Put them in indirect
sunlight and don’t water them too much, especially during the winter. In fact, it’s better to let
these plants dry out some between waterings.

A little general purpose fertilizer can be used if the plants are in a pot, and that’s about it.

Types of Snake Plant

There are around 70 different species of snake plant, all native to tropical and sub-tropical
regions of Europe, Africa, and Asia. They are all evergreen and can grow anywhere from 8
inches to 12 feet high.

The most commonly used species for gardening is Sansevieria trifasciata, often known as
mother-in-law’s tongue. However, if you’d like something a little different, the following species
and cultivars are worth looking out for:

 Sansevieria ‘Golden Hahnii’ – This species has short leaves with yellow borders.
 Cylindrical snake plant, Sansevieria cylindrical – This snake plant has round, dark
green, striped leaves and can grow to 2 to 3 feet.
 Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Twist’ – As the name suggests, this cultivar has twisted leaves. It
is also striped horizontally, has yellow variegated edges and grows to about a 14 inches
tall.
  Rhino Grass, Sansevieria desertii – This one grows to around 12 inches with succulent
red tinted leaves.
 White Snake Plant, Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Bantel’s Sensation’ – This cultivar grows
to around 3 foot tall and has narrow leaves with white vertical stripes.

Hopefully, this article has helped to explain how to grow a snake plant. They really are the
easiest of plants to look after, and will happily reward your lack of attention by giving clean air
to your home and a little cheer in the corner of any room.

14. Donkey’s Tail/ Burrito/ Burro Tail (Sedum morganium)

Origin: Mexico

Height: Trailing to 3 ft (90 cm)

Light: Bright light with some direct sun. Shade from strong summer sun.

Water: Keep soil lightly moist in spring and summer. In fall and winter, water sparingly. If
leaves appear shriveled, it may be underwatered.

Humidity: Average humidity. Will tolerate dry air, but keep plant out of drafts.

Temperature: Average room temperatures 65-75°F/18-24°C. Give it a cool rest in the winter to
promote blooming 55-60°F/13-16°C.

Soil: Cactus potting mix.

Fertilizer: Feed monthly spring and summer with a fertilizer specially made for succulents.

Propagation: Succulent cuttings. Take 2-3 in (5-7 cm) stem tip cuttings in spring. Remove the
lower leaves to expose the stem and insert it in a mixture of half sharp sand and half peat moss.
Keep it moist and be patient -- it can take a couple months. You can also grow from leaf cuttings
following the same method.