A Beginner’s Guide to Keeping Your Succulents Alive
Hey there, plant lover!
When I first began growing succulents, I didn’t understand how important the soil was in the overall health and success of the plant I was trying to keep alive. Like you, I struggled with plants dying, and it wasn’t until I understood what “root rot” was that I realized the key to healthy plants.
I follow a lot of succulent plant pages on Facebook, and one thing they all have in common is that they’re full of pictures of people asking, “What is happening to my plant? Please help!” If you’re a member of these groups, you’ve probably noticed the comments are full of different tips, some of which may actually harm an already struggling plant.
At any given time, I have around 3,000 plants in my greenhouse and another 200 or so inside. Watering them is a full-time job! With the hopes of selling them, they all hold a value to me beyond their aesthetics.
Now, I won’t attribute my success to an insane wealth of knowledge or multiple horticultural degrees (I have neither). What I will say is this: I don’t overwater, and I use a 1:1 ratio of soil and grit. This mix drains fast and dries at the pace I need it to.
Currently, I’m using Mother Earth Terracraft soil mixed with an equal part of chicken grit. I’ve tried multiple grits and different soil types, but I’m happiest with the results I get from Mother Earth, and chicken grit is the least expensive option that works great!
I’m not on a strict watering schedule. Every plant I have shows in its own way when it’s thirsty… but they all do the same thing when they’ve had too much: they die! For the more thirsty varieties, like the ice plant, I add some vermiculite to the soil and grit so it holds water longer. This variety starts to slightly prune when thirsty, and I’ve noticed that this happens less often with the vermiculite.
During the summer months, I also add some vermiculite because the greenhouse gets upwards of 100°F, and I need to account for evaporation. As we head into the winter months here in Northeast Ohio, I keep the greenhouse at around 55-60°F and rarely water at all. Remember, dormancy is not the time to water—your plant can easily drown from well-meaning but misguided care.
I tell people all the time: The biggest reason they’re killing succulents is from overcare. With one or a few plants, you might start thinking, “When did I last water this?”—and before you know it, you’re overwatering. Two weeks later, the plant is on Facebook, and a week after that, it's in the garbage.
The Mother Earth mix I use contains peat moss, perlite, forest products, and earthworm castings, so I don’t need to fertilize often (if ever). The chicken grit creates space in the soil so water flows freely through the pot. If you’re using pots without drainage holes, watering can be tricky but it’s doable. All the pots on my site as of this post are without drainage holes, but I water sparingly and use a squeeze bottle for better control (here’s the link to the bottles I use: Amazon Squeeze Bottles).
I know there are many points of view on plant care, but these practices work for me through trial and error. I’ve probably killed more plants in the last 8 years than most people, but I adjust my care each time to avoid the same issue again. My plant family is now thriving, and I feel confident sharing this knowledge with you.
Hopefully, you're taking care of a plant you purchased from Zen Johnny’s Plant Shop, and I just so happen to know exactly what it likes 😉
I’ll be trying out another product from Mother Earth soon—Coco Peat Mix. If you’re interested in hearing the results, feel free to email me at john@zenjohnnysplantshop.com. This mix might drain even faster, which could reduce the need for grit (and lower shipping costs for you!).
Thanks for checking out this blog post! If you found it helpful or have further questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Have a great day and happy planting!
~ Zen Johnny