One thing you didn’t know about succulents; find out more at Mischler’s

Haworthia succulents in Williamsville NY
Here are three succulents that thrive in low light. At top is Haworthia cymbiformis var. obtusa, which has fat, canoe-shaped leaves arranged in a rosette shape. At right is Haworthia limifolia ‘Fairy Washboard’, which gets its name from the ridges on its dark green leaves. At bottom left is Haworthia cymbiformis variegata, which has leaves with light green and white stripes. Photo by Connie Oswald Stofko

by Connie Oswald Stofko

You might already know that succulents are easy to care for. You don’t need to fuss with them. They don’t need much water. And they don’t need a lot of light.

But did you know that some succulents need more light than other succulents?

We’ll discuss that in this article, and you can get more details on the best growing conditions for succulents in a talk at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 12 at Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, 118 South Forest Rd., Williamsville.

In the talk, Elle Kreuzer, who manages the succulents at Mischler’s, will also give you ideas for displaying succulents in your home or office.

succulent 'String of Bananas' in Williamsville NY
Senecio radicans ‘String of Bananas’ has leaves shaped like tiny bananas. It’s a trailing plant that likes medium light. Photo by Connie Oswald Stofko

On the same day at 2 p.m., you can plant your own succulent trio at Mischler’s. The fee is $10 (more for a specialty container). To make it easy, the plants will already be sorted according to growing conditions. Pick your favorite succulent, then choose two more plants with the same needs.

It’s all part of the Spring Succulent Sale to be held from Friday, March 11 through Saturday, March 19. Hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

During the sale you can get 20 percent off all succulents: 3-inch containers, 6-inch containers, mixes and hanging pots.

In today’s article, Kreuzer shares a few examples of succulents that like low, medium or full light. This is just an introduction to a few varieties; Mischler’s carries more than 100 varieties of succulents.

Low-light succulents

Haworthia is a large genus of succulents that thrive in low light.

Collectors love this group because it contains such variety, said Kreuzer, who uses the pronoun “they.” Haworthia includes succulents that are variegated, striped and textured.

And if you’re tired of plants that take up too much room, you’ll be pleased with Haworthia. The plants are small and slow growing; most get 3 inches tall and 6 inches across, they said. The plants will fit on a windowsill.

That window, however, has to have indirect light; Haworthia can burn in full sun.

Succulents in Haworthia flower sporadically rather than annually. The flowers are varied in color: pink, red, orange and yellow.

Medium-light succulents

Succulents in this group prefer 4 or more hours of direct sunlight each day.

A genus in this group is Senecio, which includes trailing varieties of succulents such as ‘String of Bananas’, which you can see in the second photo; the popular ‘String of Pearls’, which has round leaves that look like beads, and ‘String of Dolphins’, which has leaves that look like the silhouette of a dolphin.

xucculent echiveria in Williamsville
Echeveria nodulosa ‘Painted Echeveria’ is a succulent that can get 20 inches tall and wide. It likes full sun. Photo by Connie Oswald Stofko

“They will trail down indefinitely,” Kreuzer said.

Senecio also has upright plants.

These plants aren’t known for flowering indoors.

Full-light succulents

Plants in this group should get 6 hours or more of direct sun.

One example is Echeveria nodulosa ‘Painted Echeveria’. Taller than the other succulents we discussed, ‘Painted Echeveria’ gets long arms and branches out. In a 6-to-8-inch pot, it could grow 20 inches tall and wide.

They tend to flower every year if they are in good condition and old enough, Kreuzer said. Their flowers are white.

4 Comments on “One thing you didn’t know about succulents; find out more at Mischler’s

  1. I am so sorry I missed this. Are you planning on having a repeat succulent discussion any time in the future?
    Thank you.

  2. Just stop in a little before 1 p.m. on Sat. March 12th to grab a seat or arrive early and shop Mischlers succulents before the talk.

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