Tips for Growing Rock Succulents

A rock garden improves the landscaping in a garden or lawn by enhancing its character. A thriving rock garden must incorporate rock succulents as they are best suited for this kind of rocky terrain. Rock succulents belong to the cactus family and are fairly easy to grow as they require adequate sunlight, plenty of air and minimal water. Succulents are low-growing and they tend to nestle to the rocky arrangements. However the soil used to grow succulents should be well drained as water-logged soil will damage the root system and result in drying up plants. The best type of soil is sandy soil due to its good drainage qualities.

Giant and Miniature Succulents

Succulents like cactuses hold water in their leaves which come in a variety of colours and shapes. Interestingly, poinsettias, a signature Christmas plant is classified among the succulents, which generally means their ability to store water in their leaves and stems. Other succulents include the aloe vera plant and its variations such as the bitter aloe or aloe ferox, whose leaves grow in the shape of a rosette. Some succulents have beautiful and flashy flowers that brighten up any garden landscape. The unusual shapes and intriguing textures coupled with the striking colours of their blooms make succulents an interesting contrast to the stones in the rock garden.

Succulents vary in height; some grow to several feet high like the aloe ferox which grows up to five feet tall. Such tall succulents are great focal points in a rock garden. The lithop is considered to be the smallest of the succulents and should be planted directly next to the rocks which will act as a background for this miniature succulent. Due to their prickly nature, succulents should be planted in an area in the garden where children and pets do not frequent.