Most succulents grow in arid regions, where their roots cannot absorb water for much of the year, and they can only rely on the water stored in their bodies to sustain life. So is it really feasible to grow these drought-loving, moisture-fearing plants hydroponically?

The Advantages of Growing Succulents Hydroponically

In fact, most plants can be grown hydroponically, and succulents are no exception - as long as the method is right, it works just as well. It is said that hydroponics uses water as the growing medium, planting the plant directly in a container filled with water and adding the nutrients it needs for growth.

Growing succulents hydroponically can bring unexpected rewards: they stay clean and tidy, are less prone to pests and diseases, and you can even enjoy the roots - you might even put a few small goldfish in. In addition, according to the growing experiences of gardening enthusiasts, hydroponics is actually very helpful for succulents to take root.

Hydroponically grown plants are separated from soil and grow in a sterile or low-bacteria nutrient solution. Without parasites and soil pollution, the home environment becomes cleaner and more hygienic, and the troubles of pests and diseases brought by soil are also avoided. Secondly, succulents are generally grown for their leaves and flowers, but when grown hydroponically in transparent glass containers, you can also enjoy their roots, which is very special.

In addition, hydroponics is also very helpful for succulents to recover from transplanting. For seedlings in poor condition, such as those with soft, limp, listless leaves, you can first use hydroponics to help them recover, because succulents root especially quickly in water. However, for recovery by hydroponics, it is recommended to keep the time to around two months and not exceed three months. This is because in the later stage, the nutrients from hydroponics cannot keep up and will affect their growth.

For Growing Succulents Hydroponically, the Water Level and Root Position Are Key

So how do you grow succulents hydroponically? In fact, the most critical thing when growing succulents hydroponically is to control the water level and the position of the roots. And since succulents are all fairly small, it is best to choose small, delicate containers.

At the same time, the control of the water surface position and the root position needs to be determined according to the variety of succulent. For succulents with well-developed root systems, you can add more water to the container so that most of the roots are submerged in the water. There are also succulents such as those in the Crassulaceae family that naturally have very few roots and do not need much water; when grown hydroponically, their roots only need to just touch the water surface. In addition, the water in the glass bottle will evaporate under sunlight, which indirectly waters the succulent, just like the effect of misting the leaves.

For hydroponically grown succulents, routine maintenance is very simple. Apart from topping up the evaporated water, there is basically nothing else to take care of. Even when the severe cold of winter arrives, as long as you master the correct care methods, getting through the winter safely will not be much of a problem.