Health Benefits of Succulents – How They Improve Health

What Are Succulents

If you are living the modern way of life, you are probably overwhelmed with things to do. This lifestyle doesn’t leave much space for growing some sensitive plants. Well, we have just the right thing for you: succulents.  They are the latest new obsession, and everyone seems eager to collect them. Succulents are small, sturdy, and juicy plants, easy to grow. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Adding a rare succulent to your collection of houseplants will benefit your inner peace, as well as your health. 

Benefits of Succulents

Succulents are low maintenance plants. They are easy to take care of, won’t hurt your wallet, or take too much of your precious time.  When properly cared for, they will reward you with beautiful flowers and fascinating colors. What’s the trick? There is no one. Succulents are highly available, affordable, and easy to plant. Growing indoor succulents from seeds is a fun (and monetizable) hobby. They come in so many variations that you will need a second life to collect them all.

Pros and Cons of Succulents

Pros

Succulents are simple to grow and won’t kick the fortune out of your pocket. Mixing the ideal succulent soil by yourself is not just simple but also cheap. Propagating succulents, as well as growing them from seeds, is a quick process. You can have your beautiful garden in no time. The equipment for succulent is also cheap and available.

Cons

The only problem is that you can’t stop! You will start with one small plant, and then you will fall in love. And before you know it, you will have an enormous collection of these fascinating plants. And you should. 

Health Benefits of Growing Succulents

Help You Breathe Better

Succulents, among other plants, release oxygen at night. That’s a great reason to add few succulents to your bedroom. Another great reason is the ability to purify the air. Aloe vera and snake plant (Sanseveria) are even NASA approved, as they remove toxins from your breathing air. Also, by releasing humidity into the air, succulents prevent diseases like sore throat, cold and dry skin.

Improve Your Mood and Memory

The University of Michigan has done several studies on the health benefits of various plants. Their research shows that having few succulents inside your home benefits you both psychologically and physically. So, not only will you feel better or have better memory, but you will also heal faster if you surround yourself with a few pots of succulents.

Succulents That Benefit Your Health

Aloe Vera

It has a healing sap used as a remedy for sunburn and small wounds. Haworthia is aloe-like succulent, so don’t mix these two lookalikes. 

Agave

This lovely desert plant is easy to grow. They are full of vitamins, alkaloids, and coumarin. Agave is also antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. You can use it for treating wounds, menstrual problems, and finally, for making tequila. 

Purslane

A rich source of vitamins and a great side dish to meat. You can also use it as an addition to salads.

Indian Borage

The taste resembles oregano and is commonly used for seasoning the meat. The borage is also used to cure respiratory and skin diseases.

Jewels of Opar

An ancient cure for low energy. You can eat the leaves fresh, or you can pickle them. 

Houseleek (Semprevivum tectorum)

A great choice for treating minor skin damage. Full of useful acids, it boosts your immune system and treats earaches effectively. 

Houseleek (Sempervivum arachnoideum)

Similar to all Sempervivums, arachnoideum makes an effective skin cure. However, this one is also great for digestive issues.

Sedum

Widely known as stonecrop. Natural remedy for high blood pressure and coughs. Other perks include healing eczema, cuts, and hemorrhoids.  

Dragon Fruit

A popular fruit. Rich in fiber, iron, calcium, and vitamin C.

Jade

A traditional remedy for epilepsy. Also used for treating diarrhea, corns and for calming the patient.

How to Grow Succulents 

Step 1 – Find the perfect place for your succulent

Check the hardiness zone. Not every succulent can grow everywhere. That goes both for indoor and outdoor succulents.

Step 2 – Provide your plants with soil with quick drainage

Too much water can damage your plant and make the roots rot. You can buy pre-mixed soil or mix your own.

Step 3 – Make sure your pot has drain holes

Always use a container with drain holes so that the excess water can come out. Mason jars, terrariums, and other glass containers are short-term solutions.

Step 4 – Put the pot in a suitable place

Check what amount of sunlight suits your plants the most. Some succulents prefer direct sun while others prosper in shade. 

Step 5 – Don’t forget to fertilize

Use a mild fertilizer to make your succulents grow better. The best time for fertilizing is after the dormancy period of your succulent.

 

How to Take Care of Your Succulents

Step 1 – Don’t overwater your succulents

Only when the soil is 100% dry should you hydrate your plant. When in a dormant period, succulents need even less water than usual.

Step 2 – Be aware of your skills

If you are new in the gardening world, don’t pick too sensitive or too big succulents. Start with small, simple ones, then move gradually.

Step 3 – Use proper gardening tools

Using proper tools to repot your succulent is a must. You don’t want to damage your plants with improper equipment, do you? You don’t have to re-pot your plants too often.

Step 4 – Accept failure

Sometimes, all your care and knowledge will fail, and your plant will die. Learn from that experience and boldly move onto the next plant. This time, you will succeed.

Step 5 – Always replant your succulents

You will have plenty of new plants if your original one dies or happens to be monocarpic. And of course, you can exchange the plants with other collectors.

 

Does More Spending Mean More Quality

Succulents are affordable almost to anyone, as they usually cost few dollars. However, if you want some rarer specimens, you will have to pay a bit more. For instance, premium pink succulents and exotic black succulents are a bit pricier, but nothing too much. 

Do’s and Don’ts With Succulents 

Do’s

• Do decorate your garden with drought-tolerant ground covering succulents for a simple yet beautiful green carpet.
• Do become a member of some online community so you can show off your beautiful plants. 
• Do keep your pets and children away from succulents. Some of these lovely plants can be toxic for them.
• Do decorate your office with a succulent. You will have cleaner air and (apparently) better Feng Shui.

Don’ts

• Don’t neglect your plants. Aloes and cacti are easy to grow and hard to kill, but you still have to take care of them.
• Don’t spray-paint your succulents. Instead, buy artificial ones if you want bright-colored ones. 

FAQ About Health Benefits of Succulents

Do all succulents purify the air?

Yes. Plants absorb gases through the pores. And not just carbon-dioxide needed for photosynthesis. Any plant, including the best flowering succulents, will absorb a large number of harmful gasses and release oxygen. 

Can succulents make you sick?

Most of the succulents will benefit your health in more than one way. However, Euphorbias and Kalanchoes are considered toxic for both humans and animals. And surprisingly, Aloe vera can also make your pets sick. Keep your pets (and your children) far away from succulents. 

Do succulents give off a lot of oxygen?

The plants that give the most oxygen are the ones with the most leaf surface and quick growth rate. So, no, compared to other plants, succulents are not in the top ten. Sea algae are the number one oxygen producer in the world. However, the ability to produce oxygen even at night makes succulents a great choice for your bedroom.

Are succulents good luck?

Many people believe that succulents bring positive energy and good luck to their owners. However, it doesn’t matter whether you believe in good luck or not. Having succulents in your home will certainly make you healthier and happier. And if that won’t make you feel luckier than usual, what will?

Are succulents a bad Feng Shui?

Succulents are considered good Feng Shui, but not all of them. Succulents with thorns should never be kept indoors. But if you want financial success, you should get a Jade Plant, also known as the money tree. You should plant a Jade tree anywhere in your home, or office, except for the bedroom. 

Conclusion

Having a succulent plant in your home is always a good idea. These little green friends will make you live longer and feel better. Also, according to old beliefs, they will bring good luck to your household. What more reason do you need to get one?

Photos from: IRA_EVVA / depositphotos.com, bezikus / depositphotos.com, IgorVetushko / depositphotos.com and AllaSerebrina / depositphotos.com.