Succulents: The Little Plants That Packed a Big Surprise

I never expected that a small succulent would change the way I saw plants forever. It all started with a single Echeveria, sitting innocently in a tiny ceramic pot at a local market. Its plump, pastel-colored leaves looked like a delicate flower frozen in time. I brought it home, placed it on my windowsill, and thought, This will be easy to take care of. Oh, how wrong I was.

——echeveria 

In my excitement, I watered my succulent every few days, convinced that I was keeping it healthy. But soon, I noticed the leaves turning translucent and soft. Before I knew it, my beautiful Echeveria had rotted from the roots up. I was devastated. That was my first lesson: succulents don’t need frequent watering; they need neglect.

Determined to do better, I dived into research and learned about the “soak and dry” method—only watering when the soil is completely dry and making sure my pots had proper drainage. My second batch of succulents, including a bright green Sedum and a striking purple Graptopetalum, thrived under this care.

One of the things I love most about succulents is their ability to change colors. I once had a pale green Crassula, and after weeks of sun exposure, it transformed into a fiery red beauty. That’s when I realized that sunlight isn’t just important for growth—it’s the secret to unlocking the most vibrant colors in these plants. Now, I arrange my succulents based on their light needs: sun-loving varieties like Aeonium and Sedum get prime spots on my sunniest shelf, while delicate Haworthia and Gasteria enjoy gentler, filtered light.

Then came the most magical discovery: propagation. One day, I noticed a fallen Echeveria leaf on my table. Instead of throwing it away, I placed it on dry soil, just to see what would happen. Weeks later, tiny roots appeared, followed by a miniature rosette. It was like watching a tiny miracle unfold. From then on, I became obsessed with propagating succulents through leaf cuttings, stem cuttings, and even beheading—each time amazed by their resilience.

Now, my home is overflowing with succulents of all shapes and sizes. Every morning, I sip my coffee and admire their subtle changes—the growth of new leaves, the deepening of colors, and occasionally, the surprise of a tiny flower bloom.

If you’re thinking of growing succulents, here’s my advice: give them plenty of light, don’t overwater, and be patient. These little plants are full of surprises, and once you start growing them, you’ll never want to stop!