Slow plants for busy people.
Growing guides for succulents, indoors and in the garden. Short to read, easy to follow.
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All care basics →In the garden this month · January
Keep watering to a minimum while plants rest.
- Water dormant plants only if leaves start to wrinkle.
- Move pots to your brightest window as the days stay short.
- Aeoniums are growing now, so water them when the soil dries.
In the garden this month · February
Days are lengthening. Get ready for spring.
- Watch for stretching and add a grow light if you see it.
- Order gritty mix and pots for spring repotting.
- Check under leaves for mealybugs while growth is slow.
In the garden this month · March
Growth wakes up. Start watering a little more.
- Water summer growers when the soil is dry right through.
- Repot anything root-bound as new growth appears.
- Hold off moving plants outside until frosts are over.
In the garden this month · April
Prime time for repotting and propagating.
- Take cuttings and leaves now, while plants are growing fast.
- Separate pups from aloes, echeverias and hens and chicks.
- Start hardening plants off for outdoors after the last frost.
In the garden this month · May
Move plants outside, a little sun at a time.
- Introduce full sun gradually over a week or two to avoid sunburn.
- Water more often as pots dry faster in warm weather.
- Give leaf cuttings bright shade, not direct sun.
In the garden this month · June
Full growth season. Soak, then let it dry.
- Water deeply whenever the soil is completely dry.
- Feed summer growers lightly if you fertilize at all.
- Aeoniums slow down for summer, so cut back their water.
In the garden this month · July
Watch for heat stress and sunburn.
- Give pale or soft-leaved plants some afternoon shade.
- Water in the morning, not in the heat of the day.
- Check pots after heavy rain and tip out any standing water.
In the garden this month · August
Late-summer propagating and pest checks.
- There’s still time to root cuttings before growth slows.
- Look for mealybugs in leaf joints and treat them early.
- Keep watering summer growers while they’re still growing.
In the garden this month · September
Growth slows. Start easing off the water.
- Water a little less often as nights get cooler.
- Plan where tender plants will spend the winter indoors.
- Aeoniums are waking up, so start watering them again.
In the garden this month · October
Bring tender plants in before the first frost.
- Cut back on watering as growth slows.
- Check for pests before plants come indoors.
- Aeoniums are waking up: start watering again.
In the garden this month · November
Indoors for winter: bright light, little water.
- Give overwintering plants your sunniest window.
- Water dormant plants sparingly, if at all.
- Keep plants away from heaters and cold drafts.
In the garden this month · December
Rest season. Let them be.
- Water only to stop leaves shriveling.
- Christmas cactus is flowering, so keep it in one spot.
- Leggy winter growth is normal in low light; trim it in spring.
Northern Hemisphere. In the south, read six months ahead.