Success With Succulents
By Ralph E. Mitchell
Succulents are any of a number of plants that tend to have thick, waxy and yes "succulent" fleshy leaves. While often associated with desert environments, some originated in areas of higher rainfall. In any case, there are a number of succulents that will do well in our Southwest Florida climate such as aloes, kalanchoes, and agaves.
Aloes are something that almost everyone is familiar with. One of the most common species is the Barbados Aloe which is a slow-growing, clump-forming succulent. Another widely grown type is Aloe arborescens noted for its branching habit, grey-green leaves and red cone-shaped flowers. Aloes do produce interesting flowers generally from winter on through the spring. One additional aloe, Aloe brevifoliais, is a small aloe that fits well within rock gardens. As they grow slow, aloes can be kept within bounds yet are easily propagated using the off-sets produced by the mother plant. Aloes are of course drought-tolerant, but don't like salty conditions. Besides use as a groundcover, also consider aloes as good plants for container culture.
Kalanchoes are also familiar succulents more often noted for their intense and long-lasting flowers and scallop-edged leaves. The flowers are held above the plant and occur in shades of red, yellow, orange and salmon and are even known to attract hummingbirds. Some of the dwarf cultivar selections include 'Pumila' and 'Tetra Vulcan'. Most kalanchoes grown for their flowers are a foot or less in height and bloom in the winter or spring. There are other Kalanchoe species better noted for colorful or interesting foliage that are also available. Kalanchoes are best used in planters or as edging in the landscape. These succulents are easily propagated by cuttings and some types even develop new plantlets at leaf margins.
Agaves round out the most common succulents grown in our area. One of the most common agaves is the century plant. With a tight rosette of leaves up to six feet long and ten inches wide, this is an impressive plant. Most century plants are blue-green in color, but there is also a yellow-striped variety available. However, be warned that there is a sharp spine at the tip of each leaf that could injure children, pets and curious gardeners. In addition to the large plant size, in about ten years or so, the "century" plant will produce a twenty-foot flower spike and then, of all things, the whole plant dies. As the plant dies, however, new plants develop at the base.
The very best success with succulents can be realized when you construct a special raised bed making sure that good drainage material such as course sand and pea gravel along with some organic matter is incorporated. A rock garden setting would be very appropriate. Good drainage is so important to prevent rotting of succulents. Don't use organic mulches with your succulents as this will retain too much moisture. Use heavy gloves and/or eye protection as needed if planting any particularly spiny succulents.
Take advantage of succulents in your landscape as you increase your "palette" of garden plants. For more information on all types of landscape plant material, please contact our Master Gardeners on the Plant Lifeline at 764-4340 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Our office is located at 25550 Harbor View Road, Suite 3 in Port Charlotte. Our other Plant Clinics are available across the county:
Demonstration Garden every Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m.
Englewood/Charlotte Public Library 9 a.m. to noon every Monday.
Mid County Regional Library first and third Thursday of the month from 1 to 3 p.m.
Don't forget that Florida Yards and Neighborhoods or FYN is a program that our office encourages as it promotes planting the "right plant in the right place", water conservation, common sense pest management, sensible use of fertilizers, composting, etc. that help develop a sustainable landscape. For more information on this important, over-arching program, please contact Audrey Durr at 764-4340.
Ralph Mitchell is the county extension director/horticulture agent for the Charlotte County Cooperative Extension Service. You may contact him
by e-mail You may also contact a volunteer
Master Gardener at
Resources:
McLaughlin, J. (2005) Succulents Can Be An Excellent Choice For Miami-Dade Landscapes. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS, Miami-Dade County.
Gilman, E. F. (1999) Aloe barbadensis. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
Gilman, E. F. (1999) Kalanchoe blossfeldiana. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
Welshans, J. (2003) Century Plants. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS, Osceola County.