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SUCCULENT SUCCESS No need to be prickly about care for these plants BY G R E G H O R TO N
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SUMMER 2022
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ocal gardening experts say there is an art and a science to making your spring pots pop with color and design, and they have tips for you based on their Oklahoma-grown experience. Succulents are the house cats of the plant world: They don’t need a ton of attention, but what attention they do require is critical to their thriving. And — just as with cats — unhelpful generalizations abound, including the idea that all succulents love direct sunlight, or that a few drops of water will suffice, as if all succulents come from the Gobi Desert. Christina Carter, co-owner of Plant People, 1212 N. Hudson Ave. in Midtown, said that it’s true all succulents need sunlight,
but there are caveats. “Some succulents need more sunlight or warmth than others,” she said. “Many succulents thrive in a place where they will get six to eight hours of sunlight a day, but it’s not recommended to expose your succulents to full sun in temperatures above 90°F to avoid doing damage to their leaves and root system.” As with any plant, the best advice is to get the specific care requirements for each variety you purchase. Carter says keeping in mind that care requirements are not “one
PLANT PEOPLE
The ever-popular echeveria, from Plant People
