Succulents are amazing. Surprisingly, some can go indoors and other will flourish in the shade outdoors! I have made several containers for a hot, back deck. They thrive there without irragation, unless I remember to hand water. However, after a couple of years of carefree beauty, they began to look leggy, messy and well just unattractive.
To revive succulents, take cuttings and then allow them to callous over.
This process, callousing, is like a scab on a wound. The place where the cutting was removed heals and thickens slightly. Succulents then will root not rot when placed in soil. Callousing may take several days or a week or two depending on the weather.
The best place to take a cutting is just below a stem joint, or where a leaf or bud joins the stem. Take care when taking cuttings so you don't spoil the plant's overall look. For instance, leave whole rosette when taking a cutting from the pups or babies of an aeonium.
Cuttings are best taken at the beginning of the growing season, usually in the spring except for ones that grow during the cool months. After the cuttings are calloused over, water the them sparingly until they start to grow. This indicates the roots have developed.
Now the fun part comes! I tucked a couple of succulent cuttings to callous over, inside a terrarium with moss and wee ceramic mushrooms.
I used a crown, meant for a candle, to plant succulent cuttings.
Next, in a large round container, I mixed and matched texture and color to end up with a pleasing, lush look.
This planting will get better as the succulents fill in.
After a few years, when the plants look leggy or outgrow the pot, I will take cuttings and start over! Recycling favorite succulents is easy. I often plant a few of the largest cuttings in a charming container to give away.
As the anonymous quote says, "Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower. Succulents are meant to be shared and savored.
