How to Care for Succulents
Sunlight
Plants get their nourishment and energy from the sun. Most plants prefer bright light. Succulents even more light. But what is bright light? Where are you most likely to find it? The brightest light is always directly in front of a window. The lowest light is away from a window, on the corridor or corner where there is no door or window to let in light. Also, the direction your windows face also plays a critical role.
The good news is that succulents are easy to take care of and so long as they are getting some bright light, they will thrive. So if you want to place it in your verandah, balcony, patio, window sill or near a brightly lit spot, go ahead! Infact what you will notice is that they actually turn colour when exposed to full sun! So the brighter the better!
Water
Beware – overwatering is the easiest way to kill a plant. But don’t worry! Here are a few tips to help you figure out when it’s time to water your succulent, and how to do it.
- To check if your plant is thirsty, simply stick your finger in the potting mix – away from the plant and its roots – toward the edge of the container. Most succulents should be watered when the soil has dried out. No need to overthink it, just go with your gut.
- To water, gently lift your plant’s foliage and flood the potting mix with tepid water until a trickle appears from the drainage hole at the bottom. Let the succulent soak up the water for 30 minutes, then empty any remaining water from the plate.
- Establish a routine of checking in with your succulents every 3-4 days and for cactii at least once a week. Changes in daylight, temperature, or even an open window can cause fluctuations in the frequency you should water, so best not to just assume “every Monday is watering day.” Besides, it’s nice to check in and say “Hello” to your succulents every few days.
For plants bought in our web shop, we recommend you water the plant thoroughly upon receiving the plant, then thereafter; Cactii water 1 x / Fortnight (2 weeks) and for other succulents 1 x / Week.
Humidity & Temperature
Most plants featured on SHOP NANJALA will fair well in average home conditions. If you’re comfortable, they’re comfortable.
Humidity of 40-70% is optimal. Average home humidity is roughly 60%, which means our succulents can tolerate some dry air.
Temperature
In Kenya, we are lucky that we generally enjoy a considerable amount of sunny climate all year round. Average home temperatures range from 15 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius, this temperature is perfect for succulents. However, do your best to avoid placing your plant near temperature hazards like vents, radiators, and exterior doors, which might create hot or cold spots and drafts.
Nutrients & Fertilizers
Your succulents get minerals from the air, water, and their potting mix. They are nourished and energized by sunlight. So no need for extra nutrients and fertilizers. Talk about low maintenance. However, if you are interested in nourishing your succulent further, please email us on hello@shopnanjala.com and we will prescribe a recommendation based on your plant and its conditions and your living environment.
PS: All succulents grown at SHOP NANJALA are pesticide-free and fertilizer-free; meaning we embrace organic planting. We also propagate our plants by curing the leaves in the sun. This brings out the best out of our plants and they are toxin free.
NB: Nanjala Blooms Tips are meant to instruct the care for succulents grown in the Kenyan and the larger East African market. When purchasing SHOP NANJALA succulents, a care information label clearly mentioning the name of the succulent and instructions is included.