Succulents have become some of the most popular house plants. They’re affordable, offer lots of variety, and they’re super low-maintenance. What more could you want from a houseplant? Our florists at Blossom Flower Shops especially love growing succulents inside in the winter because they’re an easy way to brighten up the dreary days of our Yonkers and White Plains winters. Plus, they’ll continue to look beautiful throughout the year.
Why Are Succulents So Different from Other Plants?
Succulents sprout thick, rubbery leaves or spines that are very different from the papery thin leaves of other plants. These leaves are very efficient at storing water in environments where moisture is hard to come by. That’s why succulents grow all over the world in arid environments and from the bark of trees in humid forests.
The Benefits of Growing Succulents Inside
There are plenty of reasons why growing succulents indoors is a good idea! Firstly, they’re really fun to admire and collect because there are so many different varieties and colors. Succulents will also brighten up your environment, creating a calm and relaxing atmosphere. In addition, live succulent plants filter toxins, like harmful VOCs, out of the air. Their roots draw toxins down into the soil, where they convert the chemicals into nutrients, helping to eradicate indoor air pollution. At the same time, live succulents replenish the air’s oxygen.
Our Favorite Succulent Varieties
With so many types of succulents available, it’s tough to pick favorites – especially when they’re all so beautiful. The following are some of our favorites to include in succulent gardens and to grow on their own.

Succulents – Echeveria
Echeveria
These succulents come in all sorts of varieties, but they all grow into starburst-shaped plants. They range in colors from ghostly pale-green, bright green, sage, and dark greens to shades of dusty pink, rose, and even dark, almost-black red. They look pretty on their own but can be stunning when artfully arranged in a succulent garden.

Succulent Garden
Kalanchoe
There are a variety of different kalanchoe plants, but our favorite has broad, thin, paddle-like leaves and blooms in clusters of brightly colored flowers in yellow, pink, red, orange, and white. Healthy kalanchoe plants start blooming in the autumn and continue until spring, which makes them the perfect pick-me-up to the dreary days of winter.

Orange Kalanchoe

Newport Succulents
Aloe
Aloe plants are popular around the world for their medicinal properties, but they’re also incredibly attractive. They have spiky, textured leaves or spines that look a bit like toy dinosaur tails and feature a range of different green hues and patterns.

Aloe
How to Keep Succulents Healthy
Succulents need pots that drain easily and a warm, sunny location. While a windowsill is okay, make sure your plant doesn’t get exposed to cold temperatures in a frosty window. Succulents are one of the most low-maintenance types of houseplants around. They don’t need to be pruned and don’t like to be over-watered. In the winter, watering about once a month is usually sufficient. In the summer, every week or every two weeks is good. Just be sure the soil is allowed to dry completely before watering and never let a succulent sit in standing water. All varieties of succulents thrive on neglect. In other words, the more you leave them alone, the better they’ll fare.
If your succulent’s leaves begin to turn yellow or brown, this is a sign your plant is in distress. Check the soil for over or under-watering and feel free to call an expert at Blossom Flower Shops for help.