4 Eco-Friendly Tips from Succulents

More than living plants. More than living sculptures. Succulent plants are living teachers! Their age-old adaptations for survival provide us 4 eco-friendly tips about how to interact with (and protect!) our threatened eco-systems.

So what are the 4 eco-friendly tips from succulents?

# 1 of 4 Eco-friendly Tips from Succulents >>> Water-wise is eco-wise. Cacti and other succulents know firsthand the importance of being wise stewards of water. After all, most originated in little-to-no-rain regions. That’s why the succulent family developed sponge-like tissues to retain extra water until needed. Their rounded leaves reduce overall surface area that’s exposed to the air, which helps lessen water loss. A waxy film also covers the leaves and stems to help reduce evaporation.

So what’s their lesson for us?

Remember that water is limited, not limitless. It’s a precious resource that’s not to be wasted or taken for granted. That’s why it’s smart to seek ways to reduce water usage, such as: replacing water-thirsty sod and plants with those that aren’t as water-greedy; fixing leaky hoses; avoiding use of sprinkler systems, especially those programmed with rote schedules that ignore recent rains; and knowing plant needs. Even better, catching and storing rainwater for re-use in gardens and garden beds.

#2 of 4 Eco-friendly Tips from Succulents >>> Frequent fertilizing may not be the answer. Succulents need little to no fertilizer — unless you want to give them a boost during their growing season. Also, they don’t require chemically enriched soil. Sandy soil works just fine since it supports water drainage, which helps ensure there's no root rot. 

So what’s their lesson for us?

Resist the urge to throw on non-organic chemicals with hopes of bigger plants, greater blooms, or increased crop yields. Every plant family has different nutrient needs, and those needs vary by season. Know when and if fertilizer is needed. And stick with organic nutrients that work with, not against the environment.

#3 of 4 Eco-friendly Tips from Succulents >> Opt for Double-Duty Plants. Some ornamentals do nothing but look good, but not succulent plants! While some double as mats to reduce weeds and water loss, others help prevent erosion or add flora to hard-to-grow-anything areas. Succulents also support habitats, with larger species even providing wildlife with homes and hiding places from predators.

So what’s their lesson for us?

Plants that just look good in the short term can be sorry investments in the long term. Look for plants that are useful in multiple ways. For example, select succulents that protect and enhance the environment as contributors, not takers (and definitely not invaders!). 

#4 of 4 Eco-friendly Tips from Succulents >>> Flowers fuel ecosystems. Blooms attract and provide nectar for pollinating bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds by day, as well as moths and bats by night. Flowering succulents are definitely pollinator-friendly, which helps support ecosystem health, food chain continuance, and ongoing food supplies.

So what’s the lesson for us? 

The world needs more pollinators, and pollinators need more flowering plants … starting in your own backyard. The options are endless—butterfly bushes, lavender, yarrow, milkweed, sunflower, etc.—not to mention the thousands of succulent plant species! Plant variety is critical to sustaining pollinator variety, so creating diverse pollination zones helps ensure healthier eco-systems for nature and people who live there.

So what are you waiting for? Be an eco-friendly gardener by relying on water-wise, fertilizer-prudent, duty-driven, flower-fueling succulent plants! Order your collection from Succulent Market today, and rest assured that you'll help save the planet tomorrow.