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Plant questions? Need to know whether we have a particular tree, shrub, perennial, annual, indoor plant, poinsettia variety, or orchid? Use the form on the right to contact us or give us a call at 865-573-9591.

Our plant specialists are gardeners too and will be happy to help you!

 

3029 Davenport Rd
Knoxville, TN, 37920
United States

(865) 573-9591

Stanley's Greenhouse is a family owned and operated plant farm and garden center in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The Best Plants for Your Home and Garden? Succulents.

Ideas You Can Use

Check out our answers to commonly asked questions and the latest tips from our plant specialists!

 

The Best Plants for Your Home and Garden? Succulents.

Anna Montgomery

Before the recent pandemic, we often called on Knoxville-based author and plant expert John Tullock to lead our free educational workshops and seminars. One of his most popular seminars was always on succulents, a class of plants that stores water in its thick leaves and does not require a great deal of time to maintain. Here are some of the reasons John believes that succulents are the best plants for your home and garden:

  • Succulents are easy to grow and do not require as much attention as other plants

  • Hardy and tropical varieties are available

  • Succulents are tough and adapt easily as outdoor garden plants

  • Many varieties produce interesting and attractive flowers

  • Their growth habits, from trees to vines, give a wide range of design possibilities

What are the differences between the popular cactus plant family and other succulents?

  • All cacti have papillae (protrusions, can be sharp) with spines.

  • Cacti are native only in the New World

  • Most species of cacti need night and winter cold in order to bloom

  • Cactus blooms can be spectacular

In order for a succulent to thrive it needs:

  • A fast-draining soil or growing medium

  • Fertilization in the spring for outdoor plants

  • Fertilization after moving indoor plants to an outside location in the spring

  • Dry, cool, shady winter conditions without plant food for most cacti to bloom the following season

  • Tropical varieties need warm, sunny conditions and a minimum temperature of 35 degrees.

Some popular and hardy succulents include:

  • Sedum ternatum (native to Tennessee)

  • Sedum spurrium (many varieties)

  • Sedum stone orpine 'Angelina'

  • Sedum sieboldii (October daphne)

  • Sempervivum (many varieties)

Some popular tropical succulents to grow include:

  • Kalanchoe

  • Crassula

  • Echeveria

  • Gastropetalum

  • Sedum burrito

For more information on selecting and growing succulents, check out John Tullock’s book, “Succulents at Home: Choosing, Growing, and Decorating with the Easiest Houseplants Ever”. Paste the following into your web browser, to purchase John’s book through local independent bookseller Union Avenue Books located in Downtown Knoxville:

https://www.unionavebooks.com/book/9781682683842

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