Your Guide to a Succulent Summer

     Summertime can bring some hot, humid weather to our area of Florida, making succulents a great option for planting in spaces with limited irrigation or more difficult growing conditions.  Succulents are able to store water within their thicker leaves, stems, and roots, which allow them to survive for longer periods when water is scarce.  The term “succulent” can be used to describe a large variety of plants from many different families, some do better in more arid climates, shade, or sun. Choose plants that do well in our plant hardiness zone 10a, or 10b if you live closer to the coastline.   You will also want to consider the location as some will be able to withstand the full summer sun and others may need full or partial shade locations.  Double check the irrigation requirements to select the best placement for your succulents based on their needs.  Some of the succulents that do best in our area of Florida include Kalanchoe, Jade Plant, Purslane, Sedum, Cacti, Aloe, Euphorbia, and Agave.  Depending on your location and preferences, succulents can make a great low-maintenance plant option for your landscape design.

     Kalanchoe is a dark green perennial that will bloom red, pink, yellow or salmon colored flowering clusters during the winter and spring.  This slow growing plant will only reach mature heights of about twelve inches with a similar spread, making it an excellent choice for a groundcover or placed in rocky, dry landscapes.  This plant is moderately salt tolerant, prefers a well-draining soil, requires minimal water throughout the year, and can grow in full sun or partially shaded locations.

     There are several species of Euphorbia available that will thrive in Florida’s climate.  Crown-of-Thorns, Pencil Plant, and Devil’s Backbone are a few options that grow well in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.  These low-maintenance plants are drought-tolerant once they are established.  They are a great option for adding unique texture and color to spaces. 

     A Jade plant can be used as a small hedge or as a focal point, growing in full sun to deep shade locations.  This slow-growing plant is extremely drought-tolerant and does best in well-draining, sandy soil.  This plant can produce springtime flowers but due to the humid conditions in Florida, the flowering period may be limited or sparse.  This slow grower will reach 2-4 ft high and will require minimal maintenance throughout the year.

     Desert Rose is another great option for rocky/sandy dry soil locations with limited irrigation.  The blooms can appear all year round, especially if we have a mild winter, typically pink, red, or white, lasting for 3 weeks or more!  This slow grower can be a great container plant or placed in a dry, sunny location with permeable soil. 

     If you are looking for an annual flowering plant, Purslane is a great option for adding a low-lying ground cover to rocky areas, plant beds or containers.  This plant can also utilized in your culinary creations as the stems, flower buds, seeds, and leaves are edible and highly nutritious.  Purslane can survive a mild winter, but may need to be replaced each year, sometimes re-establishing through seeds.

     Succulents are a great low-maintenance option for dry spaces with porous soil.  We enjoy incorporating succulents into our landscape designs to add colorful, low-maintenance plants in places where the soil tends to stay dry or when irrigation is limited.  If you are looking for succulent options to integrate into your existing plants and need help with your selection, give us a call or send a text to schedule an onsite consultation.  We can discuss the best options available for your location and recommend plants that will complement your current landscaping.