Q. I love the California look of lots of succulents
planted in the yard and in pots on the patio. We moved into our new home late
last summer and I placed some potted succulents around the pool area. Most of
them burned and died because of the intense sun. What succulents survive in
direct sun here in Las Vegas? I’d like to plant some in the ground as well as
grow some in pots.
planted in the yard and in pots on the patio. We moved into our new home late
last summer and I placed some potted succulents around the pool area. Most of
them burned and died because of the intense sun. What succulents survive in
direct sun here in Las Vegas? I’d like to plant some in the ground as well as
grow some in pots.
A. This is a two-part question; what is a succulent and
how to change a harsh desert climate into one that’s favorable to grow succulents
12 months of the year.
how to change a harsh desert climate into one that’s favorable to grow succulents
12 months of the year.
The
category of succulents is huge. Succulents have some plant part which can store
water when water is not available. Cacti are a type of succulent. But there are
succulents which are not cacti. The succulents you like are probably the “fleshy”
succulents. These types of succulents grow best in dry climates that are cooler
than our Mojave Desert climate. Low humidity is not a problem. It’s the intense
sunlight, high temperatures and poor soils that create problems for them. Mediterranean
climates, warm or even hot in the summer while wet in the winter, typically favor
fleshy succulents. Coastal southern California is a warm Mediterranean climate
but the interior valleys are part of the Mojave Desert and, just like ours,
fleshy succulents won’t do well there.
category of succulents is huge. Succulents have some plant part which can store
water when water is not available. Cacti are a type of succulent. But there are
succulents which are not cacti. The succulents you like are probably the “fleshy”
succulents. These types of succulents grow best in dry climates that are cooler
than our Mojave Desert climate. Low humidity is not a problem. It’s the intense
sunlight, high temperatures and poor soils that create problems for them. Mediterranean
climates, warm or even hot in the summer while wet in the winter, typically favor
fleshy succulents. Coastal southern California is a warm Mediterranean climate
but the interior valleys are part of the Mojave Desert and, just like ours,
fleshy succulents won’t do well there.
Your first
selection criterion is the winter low temperature. If it does not survive in
winter freezes then replant in the spring every time there is a winter freeze. There
will be winters it doesn’t freeze and other winters it might freeze two or
three years in a row. There are areas in landscape that are warmer than others
called microclimates. There are also microclimates in communities within the
valley that are warmer than others.
selection criterion is the winter low temperature. If it does not survive in
winter freezes then replant in the spring every time there is a winter freeze. There
will be winters it doesn’t freeze and other winters it might freeze two or
three years in a row. There are areas in landscape that are warmer than others
called microclimates. There are also microclimates in communities within the
valley that are warmer than others.
It is good to remember because as you have found out
ornamental succulents will struggle to perform in our desert climate during our
intense heat and sunlight. Even some cacti that come from milder climates
struggle in the Mojave Desert. A second point to remember, all plants perform
better in the heat and dryness of a desert climate if they are healthy. This
means that even cacti and other succulents which are not cacti will be
healthier if the soil is amended with compost before they are planted. I know
it does not sound logical but I have found that in many of our desert soils in
the Mojave Desert there just is not enough organics in the soil to promote
strong health and good growth of cacti and other ornamental succulents
ornamental succulents will struggle to perform in our desert climate during our
intense heat and sunlight. Even some cacti that come from milder climates
struggle in the Mojave Desert. A second point to remember, all plants perform
better in the heat and dryness of a desert climate if they are healthy. This
means that even cacti and other succulents which are not cacti will be
healthier if the soil is amended with compost before they are planted. I know
it does not sound logical but I have found that in many of our desert soils in
the Mojave Desert there just is not enough organics in the soil to promote
strong health and good growth of cacti and other ornamental succulents
The
exposure to direct sunlight can be a problem for most succulents in our Mojave
desert climate. This is not the case in gentler, more Mediterranean climates
like coastal Southern California. We can still grow in the Mojave Desert many
of the same plants provided they withstand our winter freezing temperatures and
are planted in different locations than you would plant in coastal Southern
California.
exposure to direct sunlight can be a problem for most succulents in our Mojave
desert climate. This is not the case in gentler, more Mediterranean climates
like coastal Southern California. We can still grow in the Mojave Desert many
of the same plants provided they withstand our winter freezing temperatures and
are planted in different locations than you would plant in coastal Southern
California.
Some
favorite succulents to plant include Aloe Vera, Hearts and Flowers (Aptenia),
Hen and Chicks and others. What most people do not understand is they are
missing some very important succulents in the groups that we think of mostly as
cacti: agave and yucca. These two groups of plants are full of species that are
cacti and others that are true succulents.
favorite succulents to plant include Aloe Vera, Hearts and Flowers (Aptenia),
Hen and Chicks and others. What most people do not understand is they are
missing some very important succulents in the groups that we think of mostly as
cacti: agave and yucca. These two groups of plants are full of species that are
cacti and others that are true succulents.
Remember the following when selecting succulents and
where to plant them:
where to plant them:
1. They may
freeze. Sometimes we have freezing temperatures and other times we may not. If
the succulents you pick are tender to freezing temperatures you will lose them
some years. Expect that and buy more and replant in late spring.
freeze. Sometimes we have freezing temperatures and other times we may not. If
the succulents you pick are tender to freezing temperatures you will lose them
some years. Expect that and buy more and replant in late spring.
2. Provide
protection from late afternoon intense desert sunlight. Some succulents require
more light than others. If they produce flowers that you like then they need
more sunlight. Those succulents that don’t produce any important flowers can be
planted on the east side in partial shade. Most succulents can handle early
morning sunlight until about 10 AM and they should be in partial sun the rest
of the morning and in the shadows late afternoon.
protection from late afternoon intense desert sunlight. Some succulents require
more light than others. If they produce flowers that you like then they need
more sunlight. Those succulents that don’t produce any important flowers can be
planted on the east side in partial shade. Most succulents can handle early
morning sunlight until about 10 AM and they should be in partial sun the rest
of the morning and in the shadows late afternoon.
3. Amend the
soil with compost at planting time. Good drainage is important to these plants
so the soil must drain water. Adding compost as a soil amendment improves
drainage (soil structure) and provides plant nutrients for growth. Succulents
will be happier planted in amended soils.
soil with compost at planting time. Good drainage is important to these plants
so the soil must drain water. Adding compost as a soil amendment improves
drainage (soil structure) and provides plant nutrients for growth. Succulents
will be happier planted in amended soils.
4. Water
succulents in the morning. Most small succulents need irrigations every day
during the heat of the summer. Water them with a valve used for irrigating
lawns, annual flowers or vegetable beds. Larger succulents like many of the
yucca and agave can be watered more like small to medium sized shrubs. Size
makes a difference!