Can You Keep Succulents In A Greenhouse?

Succulents are a popular houseplant that thrive in moderate to bright conditions, but many gardeners lack the right indoor environment for them to thrive. A greenhouse is an ideal solution for growing both succulents and cacti, as it provides the perfect conditions for their growth. For those living in temperate or cold climates, a greenhouse is ideal for growing succulents.

To ensure the health and growth of your succulent collection, it is essential to provide the right sunlight, ventilation, and watering. To create a thriving succulent oasis, learn key strategies for providing the right sunlight, ventilation, and watering. Greenhouses can also be used to prepare outdoor succulents for winter, as most thrive in USDA agricultural zones 8 and onward.

Being good at forecasting and planning is crucial for preparing your greenhouse for the unrooted cuttings (URCs) needed for production. Some succulents can tolerate temperatures below 0 C when kept dry, so regular ventilation and avoiding excess humidity are essential.

Succulent plants grown in greenhouses include Echeveria, Crassula, Sedum, Aloe, Agave, Kalanchoe, Haworthia, Sansevieria, Sempervivum, and Stapelia. Most varieties need at least half a day to a full day of sunlight, and regular openings for ventilation and avoiding excess humidity are necessary.

A greenhouse is an excellent solution for keeping succulents warm over the winter, as they naturally trap heat inside them. A heated greenhouse can keep them alive during the winter if you live in a climate with months of below freezing temperatures.

What temperature is too cold for succulents?

It has been demonstrated that succulents flourish in temperatures exceeding 32 degrees Fahrenheit, with optimal growth occurring at temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It is not possible for them to survive in temperatures below freezing, as the fleshy leaves are susceptible to freezing and subsequent rot. Frost-hardy succulents can withstand temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit, with Zone 4-5 being the optimal range.

However, the optimal growing conditions for succulents are soil with low moisture content and minimal precipitation during the winter months, which is not typical of most regions across the continental United States.

Can succulents live in a greenhouse in winter?

To provide a greenhouse for succulents, use a heater that is only turned on at night or at 20 ℉ for soft succulents. Keep the temperature constant at 25℉ for live plants, but avoid over-heating. For grounded gardens, remove dead or dried bottom leaves before frost to prevent moldy growth. Drive wooden or metal stakes into the ground and cover them with plastic fabric. Cover the greenhouse with a blanket and ensure good air circulation. Avoid rushing the heater application to avoid damaging the plants.

Can I put my succulents in a greenhouse?

The author has a large collection of potted succulents, many of which are stored in a greenhouse, where they receive ample sunlight. They have a particular fondness for exotic forms of succulents, which make excellent container specimens. Succulents are easy to maintain and can survive prolonged drought due to their moisture storage in their stems, roots, and leaves. Some of the succulents can resemble smooth stones, rosettes, or green beads.

The author encourages those who enjoy growing plants but don’t have the time to care for them properly to consider growing succulents. They also recommend watching the newest episode on caring for succulents on The Roku Original “Martha Gardens” streaming free on The Roku Channel.

How to overwinter succulents in a greenhouse?

To protect your succulents from ground frost, raise them off the ground on shelves and ledges, especially in unheated greenhouses. Elevate and wrap plants in fleece on benches for wintering without greenhouse heating. Cover outdoor plants with horticultural fleece if they cannot be moved. Top dressing with 20-30mm of Cornish grit, gravel, or stones helps prevent leaves and stems from rotting by holding plants off wet soil during winter and keeping them dryer. This layer also helps reflect light on the plants. Top dressing can be applied to pots or gardens to maintain a healthy environment.

How do you keep succulents in a greenhouse?

To grow succulents in a greenhouse, prioritize good drainage by using a well-draining soil mixture and containers with drainage holes. Porous materials like concrete, terracotta, and unglazed ceramic are also beneficial for improving drainage. Share this article with your friends and receive a free plant when they order. Learn more about nurturing and decorating succulents with our newsletter.

Do succulents grow better in greenhouse?

Cacti and succulents are ideal plants for growing in a greenhouse due to their moderate to bright sunlight, small size, and easy propagation. They grow in gritty soil that allows roots to dry quickly while retaining moisture. To grow these plants, you need to create a medium that suits your plants, such as a mix of 70 grit, 20-25 crushed pine bark, and 5-10 vermiculite or perlite. You can also substitute coconut coir or peat moss for a more alkaline or acidic mix.

Cacti and succulents grow best in wide, shallow pots, dishes, or trays, with many attractive containers available in various sizes. However, some plants, like the rattail cactus, prefer a different style of pot. For example, the rattail cactus should be grown in a hanging basket or wide dish suspended high enough in the greenhouse to allow the “tails” to hang down. The weight of the tails can sometimes pull the pot over and cause it to fall, so it is not recommended to grab the falling plant by its long, thorny tails.

Despite not blooming often, a rattail cactus’ vibrant pinkish-red flowers make a striking display when they do bloom.

What temperature is too high for succulents?

Succulents and cacti thrive in temperatures between 40-80°F, with minor sways being tolerable. However, sways of 5° or more can cause irreversible damage. Semi-extreme temperatures can act as stressors, influencing plants positively and causing more vibrant colors. In winter, it’s best to keep them above freezing to avoid frost damage. Some varieties are frost-tolerant and prefer cooler nighttime temperatures of 30-40°F, while more tropical varieties like euphorbia and lithops prefer minimum temperatures of 50-60°F. To determine the best temperature, search for “Ideal temperature for insert plant name here” on Google.

Can succulents survive extreme heat?

Succulents typically thrive in temperatures above 80-90 degrees F, but they can be deadly when combined with heat. Most smooth-leaved succulents need sun protection in summer, especially above 80 degrees. Echeverias in bright shade are healthy but have lost color, while those in greater sun have red edges but are smaller. Jade (Crassula ovata) is stressed by heat and dryness, slowly draining its leaves to stay alive. After irrigation or rain, leaves will be plump and greener, indicating that heat and sun can be harmful to succulents.

Do succulents need direct sunlight?

Succulents thrive in bright direct light, needing at least 6 hours of natural light daily. For shady corners, choose plants like mother-in-law tongue that thrive in low light and place them near a south or east-facing window. Hanging a trailing type like “string of bananas” is recommended. If your succulents already have good light, use goose-neck plant lights to give them an extra boost.

Can a succulent get too much sun?

Succulents, even those that thrive outdoors, can suffer from sunburn if exposed to too much sun. Soft, withered plants can wither and die quickly, and their leaves can develop brown spots if left unattended. To ensure your succulents get enough sunlight, follow these guidelines:

1. Provide enough light: Succulents need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
2. Avoid over-watering: Succulents need to be watered regularly to prevent wilting and browning.

Can succulents live inside without sunlight?

Succulents cannot survive in the long term without bright indirect light, just like any other indoor plant. Most succulents can survive without deterioration for 10-14 days if placed in a place with little or no light, while some shade-tolerant plants may live longer. To make indoor succulents last longer without light, keep them in the dark for less than ten days, avoid overstressing them, and keep them dry. Avoid watering them in the dark, including misting, as it is ineffective even under normal conditions.

Wet or soggy potting soil can make fungus diseases and rot easier to spread, which would be sped up by the lack of light. If keeping them in the dark, leave some space between them to prevent cramping and lower the amount of moisture in the air around the plant. If keeping them in low or no light for more than 14 days, get plant-growing lights, such as cool daylight LED lights with 1000-2000 lumens. Succulent plants come in varying needs and conditions to thrive.