How to take care of your livingART succulents

Succulents are amazing plants , especially for those who don't have a green thumb . They are easy to care for  and come in an incredible variety of shapes, colors, sizes , each one is a little art sculpture by itself, and they are for enjoyed by many plant lovers and collectors. 

When caring for succulents , four main elements are to be considered : Light, Temperature, soil and water . But first maybe it is interesting to know what is a succulent plant  and where do they come from. It will help you to better understand how to take care of these beautiful plants. 

Succulents generally come from deserts, rocky cliff-sides, and other areas that either don't get much year-round rain, or have rocky, dry soil that leaves plants without easy access to water on a regular basis. Over the years they got used to these harsh, dry climates by storing water in the tissues of their leaves or stems to keep themselves alive through the dry season. 

Succulents love lots of bright light, and most of them need at least 3-4 hours of direct sun every day. Placing succulents in a position to receive sunlight in the morning is ideal, as afternoon sun is harsher and more likely to damage plants.

Succulents that aren't getting enough sunlight will often start to reach out towards light sources. They will also often lose their color and turn green if they don't get enough sunlight. A few succulents prefer lower light conditions (bright but indirect light). Sometimes succulents can be damaged by too much direct sun and will become "sunburned," with scars on their leaves. Finding the ideal place for your plant is key . Once situated leave it there. 

Succulents require minimal water. The first rule to watering your succulent is to make sure its soil is dry before you water. If the roots of a succulent are kept wet for too long, they will often rot and cause the plant itself to rot. On average, watering once a week is ideal. Every two weeks will work as well . It won't kill the plant

Succulents can handle a wide range of temperature, as long as they are getting an appropriate amount of sunlight and water. Generally, it's not a good idea to keep succulents in temperatures above 95 degrees or below freezing. Extremely hot weather can lead to succulents drooping if their soil is left too dry in high heat. And in temperatures below freezing, the water stored in the plant can freeze, causing permanent damage to the plant tissue.

Always use "cactus mix" soil for planting succulents; it allows for better drainage than standard potting soil, which is very important for your succulents. It is available at most nurseries.