Succulents and Rain, What You Need to Know Amazing tips

Rain at last!

On the bright side, rain makes our gardens look glorious. Ideal conditions for succulents are good drainage, annual rainfall less than 20 or 25 inches, low humidity, and temperatures above freezing.

Here's what you need to know about getting succulents through a wet winter, including the essentials about frost, hail and rot.

After rainstorms, check for:

-- Succulents with rotted leaves. Remove mushy leaves before rot spreads to the plant's stem or crown. 

-- Drainage issues. If soil stays sodden and muddy areas remain long after a storm, roots may drown. Move plants to high ground, and install French drains.

-- Slope erosion. Create dams of rocks and diversion channels, and add gravel or mulch to diffuse the rain's impact.

-- Stagnant water. Check pots, bins and barrels. If they've filled, dump the water before mosquitos find it and breed.

-- Weeds. Wherever soil is exposed to sun, weeds WILL sprout. Get them when small. All too soon they'll have deep roots, go to seed, and look you in the eye.

-- Seepage. Check your home’s basement. Mine used to have an inch or two of standing water whenever the ground became saturated during storms. A few years ago, a friend suggested a simple solution: Coat the concrete blocks that form the basement’s walls with a special paint that prevents seepage. Works great. Any home improvement store carries it.

-- Shop for plants.  Now’s a good time to accumulate plants you want to add to your garden. Rain-soaked ground is soft and easy to dig. Early spring is the best time to establish new plants, after all danger of frost has passed (here in Southern CA, that’s mid-March). Plants will take off in spring and won’t have to contend with summer heat while putting down roots. Don't delay; if your garden is like mine, when the soil dries, it’ll be as hard as concrete.

-- Take photos as what-to-do reminders. When the weather clears, such issues are easy to forget.

The bottom line: Succulents are opportunistic when it comes to rain. Given adequate drainage and frost protection, they  love it!

Related VIDEOS

See how I cope with less-than-ideal winter weather in my own Zone 9b garden, and evaluate its impact on my succulents.

Why Succulents Rot and How to Prevent It

Roots that drown are eaten by bacteria and fungus that move upward into the body of the succulent, causing its tissue to collapse. Is this due to too much rain? Can the plant be saved? Find out!

The Squish Test for Succulents

Worried your succulents are overwatered? Here's how I test and rescue succulents after rainstorms. Even if soft and squishy means rot, it's not always too late.

Post-Rain Must-Do's for Succulent Gardens

Have you checked your succulent garden after the rainstorms? I found a few things that needed taking care of and I bet you will, too!

Protect Your Succulents from Frost

Cover your succulents if overnight temperatures drop below 32 degrees F. Here's how I do it in my own Zone 9b garden.

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How Rain Benefits Succulents

Here’s how rain benefits succulents: It provides dissolved minerals and washes away dust that inhibits photosynthesis; it dilutes and flushes salts and harmful chemicals that have built up in the soil from tap water; and it provides nitrogen essential to growth,

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Prepare Your Succulents for Rainstorms

During rainy weather, succulents, which come from arid climates, may rot. Stems or trunks turn squishy and collapse. It may be possible to take cuttings from healthy top growth and restart the plants—as I did after one rainy winter with aeoniums. Fortunately, the rest of my succulents came through fine, despite double normal rainfall. After…

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Succulents and Too Much Rain, A French Solution

Want to protect your succulents from too much rain? Here’s how the Jardin Zoologique Tropical in southeastern France keeps their succulents from becoming waterlogged during seasonal rainstorms. Corrugated fiberglass panels atop metal bars tent the plants so excess rain doesn’t soak the soil. The structures are tall enough to allow good air circulation, and the panels are translucent, enabling maximum sunlight to reach the plants. The…

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Winter Care for Frost-Tender Succulents

Depending on where you live, here’s how to get frost-tender South African succulents—like crassulas (jades), euphorbias, senecios and aloes—through a North American winter.

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See my Succulent Watercolor Calendar Amazing tips

I'm pleased to announce my 2022 Succulent Watercolor Calendar! It features new, vibrant watercolors based on my favorite photos of succulent plants.

My calendars and other succulent-themed gift items are available from Succulent Chic, my online Zazzle store. I use Zazzle because their production values are high and there’s no overhead, leaving me free to paint and design. Zazzle keeps 90% of the sales price, so it's really just a hobby. But one I love!

Claim your discount

Never pay full price at Zazzle. They offer discounts nearly every day, so be sure to enter the code at check-out (it's at the top of their screen). FYI, if you're purchasing gifts, Zazzle can mail them directly to the recipient for you.

For desert rats, I've also re-released my popular Cactus Calendar, which features photos of symmetrical cacti and those with exceptional character.

Cactus Calendar cover

See my method

I don't draw the image but rather use a light table (or a bright window) to transfer main lines onto watercolor paper. I made the video to show you how. If I can do it, so can you!

Succulents 2022 calendar

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New Must-Have Agave Book Amazing tips

The new book, Agaves: Species, Cultivars & Hybrids by Jeremy Spath and Jeff Moore is a must-have for its images alone. Stunning photos capture the beauty and fierceness of these sculptural succulents in ways both artistic and definitive. It also has comprehensive cultivation info and plant IDs. Plus it's a good read. Both authors are unashamedly---and endearingly---besotted with fanged, fountain-shaped New World plants. Moreover, at $39.95 for 350 pages and 2,000+ images, Agaves is a no-brainer bargain for succulent aficionados.

Nursery owners Jeremy Spath (Hidden Agave) and Jeff Moore (Solana Succulents) have become major players on the succulent scene. This is Jeff's fifth book on succulents, and the first co-authored. Jeremy brings extensive knowledge of the genus and eye-candy photos of species and hybrids; Jeff, per the Preface, "a knowledge of book building and more of a general succulent enthusiast's approach." He's too modest---Jeff's erudite yet easy-going style may be the best part. Both are professional landscape designers with---no surprise---a good eye for color, form and aesthetics. In the interest of transparency, I received a copy to review.

See My Hidden Agave Video

In my earlier video tour of Jeremy's nursery and display gardens, both he and Jeff talk about plants (naturally) as well as the new book.

My only problem...

...with the new Agaves book is deciding which excerpts to share with you. I chose these for their visual appeal and intriguing descriptions. Text below each photo is from the book.

Agave garden by Jeremy Spath

"When the homeowner told Jeremy he was also an agave enthusiast and wanted to go for it, Jeremy almost fell to his knees and wept in gratitude and anticipation."

Agaves at Santa Barbara mission

"Although there were precious few agaves available in the early days of the missions (perhaps Agave americana and/or Agave sisalana had been carried north by then), the newly available species and hybrids shown here look very appropriate."

Certain agaves may turn red when dying

"In the same way some tree leaves take on warm colors in the fall, when agaves...focus all their remaining energy on the huge inflorescence, the resulting no-longer-needed chlorophyll cells break down, and the underlying warm-colored carotenoid pigments remain...a happy chemical result...sort of like a rainbow."

Imprinting on Agave leaves

"One of the most endearing traits of some agaves is the phenomenon of imprinting. This fantastic patterning is a result of the leaves being compressed together as they form...resulting in a very artful and eye-pleasing plant...specialized growth [is] similar to fossilized imprints... The fact that it becomes art is a whimsical bonus."

Agave albopilosa

"Outside of Monterrey in Nuevo Leon is a maze of limestone canyons that fan out of the earth. The incredibly steep slate gray walls...are inaccessible without climbing gear---a jet pack would be ideal. [This is] where Agave albopilosa grows. Tufts of hair on the tips of the leaves become saturated with moisture from fog, water then drips down the leaf, feeding the roots.

Agave tequilana 'Tequila Sunrise'

"This is the agave of distilled tequila fame...almost everyone, your humble authors included, usually pronounce the name wrong. Most of us say 'tuh- KEEL-ee-ah-nuh', but there is no 'i' after the 'l' - it should be 'tuh-keel-AH-nuh'."

Teeth on agave leaf margins

"Agave edge-spines can somehow be simultaneously threatening, yet stunningly beautiful."

Examples of variegation of agaves

"Variegation...can manifest itself in myriad ways---orderly stripes, haphazard streaking, two- or three-tone variations, or blurry or milky yellows or whites."

Best Way to Get a Copy

As Jeff requests in the video, instead of getting the book from a large distributor (from which he and Jeremy receive very little), "try to buy it from the authors first if you can." Come by either nursery or order from them online.

Jeff Moore, Solana Succulents, 355 N. Hwy 101, Solana Beach, CA; solanasucculents@sbcglobal.net; 858/259-4568.

Jeremy Spath, Hidden Agave Nursery, Escondido, CA (by appointment only); email DeepOceanCurrents@gmail.com.

 

 

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See Hidden Agave Nursery’s Rare Agaves

Hidden Agave Nursery is more than a source of rare and unusual agaves, it’s fast-tracking this popular succulent genus to its full potential. Owner Jeremy Spath specializes in species and cultivars that don’t get overly large, perform well in gardens, and are exceptionally beautiful. I share his fascination with

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Agave Snout Weevil Prevention and Treatment

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Agaves: Uses, Photos, IDs and Varieties

With the exception of a few soft-leaved and variegated varieties, agaves want sun—the more the better in all but desert climates. Most are hardy to the mid- to high-20s F, and some go a lot lower. Sharp points at leaf tips and along leaf edges can make agaves treacherous. I snip about a quarter inch from leaves’ needlelike tips with garden shears.

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Succulent Windowsill Pots DIY Amazing tips

In my Succulent Windowsill Pots DIY here and on YouTube, you'll find out how to make a simple, colorful succulent windowsill garden. Whenever you glance out your window at work or home, you'll see and enjoy your living gems.

The six pots in my video, each 3-inches in diameter, came as a set on Amazon. Their rainbow colors make them fun and easy to combine with succulents. I added crushed glass topdressings for color and sparkle.

You needn't use the exact pots I did; other multipot sets work equally well---for example, these from Mountain Crest Gardens. Scroll down to see a video of how and why they're planted with haworthias.

Windowsill pots with haworthias, from Mountain Crest Gardens

Materials and Method:

• Four to six 3-inch decorative pots. Cover drain holes with window screen or paper towels cut in six 2-inch squares, so soil doesn't fall out.
• The same number of succulents in 2-inch nursery pots. Numerous varieties and even cuttings will work. These are Adromischus cristatus, Sedeveria 'Lilac Mist', Sedeveria 'Letizia', Senecio haworthii, Sedum nussbaumerianum, and Sedum adolphi:
• Gently slide each plant out of its nursery pot and place in its new pot. If need be, remove 1/4 to 1/2 inch of soil from top or bottom so root ball stays below the rim.
• Use a gritty potting soil to fill gaps after putting plants (root balls and all) into the pots, to about half inch below the rim.
• Add a 1/4-inch layer of white or neutral-colored sand (but not beach sand---too salty). The sand will fill gaps and keep the glass topdressing's color true.
• Add a layer of crushed, tumbled glass (optional) from craft stores, floral suppliers or online. I chose glass in hues that echo the glazes on the pots. Alternatively, conceal bare dirt and give your pots a finished look with crushed rock, pebbles or beads.

Succulent windowsill pots

Care:

• Water lightly and infrequently, more in summer, less in winter. Aim to keep soil barely moist, never soggy.
• If your windowsill might be damaged by moisture, move the pots to the sink when watering. Let drain thoroughly before replacing. If need be, cut little circles from foil and place one under each pot to protect the sill from condensation.
• If stem succulents stretch or rosette succulents flatten, they probably need more light. However, the sun's ultraviolet rays, when magnified by untreated window glass, can burn leaves. If this is a concern, add a sheer curtain or move plants farther from the glass. Keep in mind that south-facing windows typically get the most sun and north-facing the least.
• It's normal for succulents to get leggy over time. After four to six months or whenever you tire of looking at stems that have growth only on the tips, take cuttings and replant.

Don't miss my DIY video, below, on Mountain Crest Gardens' YouTube channel. It features haworthias in the colorful glazed flowerpots shown earlier:

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