We are a family run, RHS Gold Medal-winning nursery located in Cornwall, UK. Specialising in rare and unusual succulents, as well as the creation of our own unique hybrids.

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Surreal Top Tips

What are the best beginner succulents?

Here are 10 recommendations for beginner growers. These plants are all very versatile, giving you the most room for error:

  1. Echeveria elegans - This plant is almost indestructible. Super hardy and tolerant in any setting.
  2. Sedum moranense - A lovely starter plant due to its hardiness and ease to propagate.
  3. Aeonium 'Blushing Beauty' - This fast-growing plant is a great option for anyone looking to explore the world of Aeoniums.
  4. Haworthia sub-attenuata - This plant is great for indoors. It can tolerate low light levels and drought for a long time.
  5. Cotyledon orbiculata - This interesting plant is great for beginners due to its ability to stay dry for a long time. It is also very unusual.
  6. Aeonium 'Voodoo' - This dark Aeonium is a great starter plant. It will tell you how quickly Aeoniums can change colour depending on the season.
  7. Crassula ovata 'Jade Plant' - One of the most common succulents for a good reason; it's super easy to grow indoors.
  8. Echeveria pulvinata 'Devotion' - An attractive and easy to grow plant. Flowers easily too.
  9. Sempervivum calcareum - This is an extremely hardy plant, as are all Sempervivum. Great for outdoors.
  10. Crassula 'Horn Tree' - A great plant for indoors. Easy to propagate too.

https://surrealsucculents.co.uk/collections/beginner-succulents

Which pot should I use for my succulent?

A pot that has a drainage hole and is just big enough to fit the plant is often best for succulents.

Choose a pot with a drainage hole if you can’t limit the watering (outdoors). A pot with no drainage hole can be used as long as you water moderately. A pot with a hole tends to be more forgiving.

Also, as it is slightly breathable, a terracotta pot is usually preferred over a plastic pot, but the succulents dont seem to mind too much.

Our plants typically like to be potted in 7cm pots once you receive them.

Which soil should I use for my succulents?

1/3 succulent or cactus soil, 1/3 coconut coir and 1/3 perlite is a good standard to stick with for most succulents.

We recommend using a standard general multipurpose compost mix or John Innes no2 (sandy soil mix) and adding 1/3 by volume of drainage media in the form of sand, grit or our personal favourite, perlite.This will give you a free-draining soil mix which is very important for the health of your succulents. Our General Succulent Compost Mix is perfectly designed for succulents.

How often should I water my succulents?

Usually once to twice a week in the growing season. Follow the 3 D's:

  • Drench. Completely drench the soil (for fully rooted plants only).
  • Drain. Make sure the soil is free-draining.
  • Dry. Leave the soil to dry out between waterings.

Over-watering is one of the most common cause of succulent problems. The amount of water they require is largely dependent on the location you wish to keep them, so also think about this when watering them.

The best way to tell if your plant is dry is to pick up the pot and try to get a feel by the weight of the pot to figure out if it needs water.

Without proper drainage, your succulents may suffer from root rot, especially in the winter months. Always make sure your drainage holes don’t become blocked.

Having proper drainage gives you the desert-like conditions that succulents need to thrive. 

How much light do my succulents need?

Some succulents vastly differ in light requirements. Part shade in the growing season (March - September) and full sun during winter is usually best for most of them.

Selecting a plant for the right conditions you have at home is crucial. You might find that you get odd growing formations know as reaching, or to correctly name, etiolated. This can simply be because you’re not providing enough natural light for the plant you have chosen. Haworthias are great indoor plants suited to lower light conditions but at the same time can tolerate high light conditions.

For more advice, check our Guidebook. Subscribe to our newsletter here to receive our best advice.

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Our Awards

Gold Medal winner at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 for an exhibit of rare & unusual succulents.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year 2022 for x Semponium 'Destiny'.

Our Plant of the Year