Are Succulents Really Beginner-Friendly Plants? We're Debunking The Common Myths

Succulents have long had a reputation for being beginner-friendly plants that require minimal care. But if you've ever had one die on you, you'll know that these coveted houseplants aren't without their quirks and specific needs. While some succulent species are easy to grow and are great for beginners, others will need a bit of extra care, and a few will be downright divas. To that end, we want to debunk a few of the myths about growing succulents. A common misconception is that succulents make ideal houseplants because they survive any conditions; just grow them in full sun in any type of soil, and they'll be fine — even if you neglect to water them. Other myths misrepresent care instructions; for example, some believe that succulents require regular fertilizing, don't have to be pruned, and should be repotted often. And, of course, there is the confusion over the differences between cacti and succulents.

Succulents are not, in fact, immortal. Like any plants, if succulents aren't given proper care or the right environment, they might not do well. As a beginner, you may find that your indoor growing space just isn't a good fit for some succulents, while other types will flourish. It's important to know what succulent species you have rather than just relying on generic care instructions. Knowing your plants' native ranges can guide you in replicating their preferred natural environments as closely as possible. If you don't have the time to care for these plants, you should reconsider buying succulents.

One common misconception that drives beginners to embrace succulents is that forgetting to water these plants, or doing it wrong, is okay. This is simply not the case, as all living plants require adequate water to survive. It's just that this group of plants needs less frequent watering, because they store moisture in their leaves and stems. But without proper water replenishment, they will eventually die. Getting the balance right can be difficult for beginners who may not understand that most succulents need the soil to dry out before they're provided with more water. (If you've neglected watering your plant thinking it's fine, and now the plant is on its last legs, you may want to learn how to revive a dying succulent.) 

Here's another myth — succulents can grow in any type of soil. True enough, some species grow in the regular potting soil most beginners are familiar with. That said, many succulents prefer a mix with sand or perlite in it, because it drains freely. 

Another common myth is that succulents always need full sun. While this is true for some varieties, there are always exceptions to this, including many species of Haworthias, which do just fine in low light. Once again, it helps to know the light requirements of each species rather than just succulents as a whole, and that includes the duration of exposure and preferences for morning or afternoon sunlight. After all, there are over 10,000 species of succulents on this planet of ours, so you can't expect them all to enjoy the same growing conditions.

Another misconception is that succulents need regular feeding. Once again, this is not always the case, because some succulent species have adapted to living in nutrient-deficient soils. Ideally, these plants should only be fed during their active growing period using a quarter-to-half-strength water-soluble fertilizer. Although there's a mistaken belief that succulents don't need to be pruned, it may be necessary to occasionally prune your plants to remove tall, lanky growth and dead leaves.

One final misconception that could misguide beginners is that cacti and succulents are the same. While all cacti are considered succulents, there are plenty of succulent plants that aren't cacti. In fact, many as far removed from cacti as you could imagine. Essentially, the term "succulent" describes any plant that can store water in its fleshy stems or leaves. Believing that cacti and other succulents are the same and need identical growing conditions and care can lead to serious mishaps. For example, if you're taking care of kalanchoe and cacti, leaving them in the same hot, dry spot would keep the former from thriving. That's because kalanchoe prefer a relative humidity of up to 60%, whereas cacti need far drier conditions, with humidity not exceeding 30%.