How to grow Pink succulents
Grow succulent plants in free-draining soil or compost, such as cactus compost, in full sun to partial shade. Water sparingly from spring to autumn but avoid watering altogether in autumn and winter. Most succulents are slow growing. If you grow them in pots, repot them into fresh compost every couple of years.
How to plant Pink succulents
Before planting succulents into garden soil, improve the drainage by adding in horticultural grit. Avoid planting too deeply as fleshy leaves will rot if in contact with a wet soil.
When planting in containers go for unglazed terracotta pots with plenty of drainage holes in the bottom and add grit to the compost. Perfect for drought-loving succulents, terracotta pots will warm up quickly in the sun and are porus, so the compost dries out quickly after watering. The majority of succulents have fibrous roots so can be planted in fairly shallow pots.
Caring for Pink succulents
In summer, water succulents in containers no more than once a week. A good watering less often is more beneficial than a little-and-often technique. In autumn and winter, reduce the watering dramatically and place container grown, tender plants in a light and frost-free place. If this isn't possible, move them under the shelter of the eaves of the house and cover with a protective garden fleece.
Repot potted specimens once a year in spring. You won’t necessarily need to pot them into a larger container but fresh compost will be appreciated. Succulents are not greedy plants but a light scattering of fish, blood and bone when potting on is often beneficial when growing large specimens.
Succulents don't require pruning. If foliage is damaged or dead, carefully peel it from the plant or cut off with secateurs.
HOW TO MAKE MY SUCCULENTS TURN Pink?
SUN EXPOSURE
Some succulents might change or lose the vibrant colors they used to have at the time of purchase. Some might slowly fade to green within a couple of months, especially when grown in the shade or in areas that aren't naturally well-lit. Succulents need bright sunlight all day or at least 6 hours a day to become “stressed” and display their bright colors. If you grow succulents indoors, south-facing windows are a must to allow your plants to receive enough sunlight, grow healthily and maintain their vibrant red/pink color. Make sure there are no objects like trees or buildings that stand in the way of natural sunlight for your succulents.
TEMPERATURES
Succulents tend to prefer a temperate climate with the temperatures ranging from 60 to 80°F. Some can tolerate temperatures as low as 40°F or as high as 90°F. Gardeners sometimes use these extreme temperatures to “stress” their succulents into changing color. High temperatures from 80°F to 90°F can sometimes help maintain the deep colors for many succulents, especially for soft succulents. As the temperatures drop (but stay above 40°F) you’ll notice many colors will start to intensify. These colors are accentuated from the cold (but not freezing) temperatures over an extended period of time. Be aware that temperatures either too low or too high can do harm to your succulents. Temperatures lower than 40°F or higher than 90°F are never recommended.
SOIL MIX
Make sure your soil is porous and well-drained with at least 50% inorganic matter. If your soil mix is too organic, which means there is too much peat moss in it, the plant cannot grow well. Adding more soil conditioners such as perlite or pumice in your soil can improve drainage, promote root health, and prevent rot. Remember that your succulents can only maintain their vibrant colors if they are thriving in the proper condition. Check out our article on the right soil for succulents to get a better idea on how to adjust your mix.
WATER
Most people don’t know that succulents that are watered regularly often revert to shades of green. Those receiving a little less water than usual had to store water inside their leaves so the leaves become fatter, juicier and tend to “blush” or change colors. So try keeping your succulents thirsty and letting the soil stay completely dry for a few weeks later than your usual watering schedule to see if the magic happens. But be careful and don’t “stress” them too hard or you’ll do damage to your dear plants.
