Hi! I found this beauty at the farmers market this past weekend. I started doing some research on succulents and I'm a little obsessed, but nervous for my first purchase. The seller told me I wouldn't need to water it for another week or so. Well the soil still feels very moist. The glass doesn't have any drainage and there aren't stones at the bottom to allow for draining. There are a couple through out the soil though. I'm a little concerned for the plant in the close up. It seems like over the week it's become lighter in color. The plant isn't in direct sunlight, but is near a window and gets some nice morning sunshine.

The point of my novel is, should I replant? Do I need to calm down?

Yep, calm down. It looks good. The only problem I foresee (other than stress-related) would be if you were to over water it.
So far; so good. Relax and enjoy your new purchase.

I'm an avid reader and I look forward to your next novel.

greene said:
Yep, calm down. It looks good. The only problem I foresee (other than stress-related) would be if you were to over water it.
So far; so good. Relax and enjoy your new purchase.

I'm an avid reader and I look forward to your next novel.

Thanks! I'm hoping I have an undiscovered green thumb lol. We just purchased a house and I want to plant everything! We are in the desert and these guys will be perfect ;)

I think the lighter color may be because it's getting less light than it was receiving before. It may need more sun. I find south windows are the best, with west windows better than east for indoor plants that like light.

Personally, I abhor planting succulents in containers with no drainage, whether glass, or not.

Now if you really intend to keep it this way, since it is a matter of preference, just be very careful when you water. It will take longer to dry out, and may also invite fungal rot on the leaves. Succulents do not need that terrarium-like set up which holds moisture in like we do for tropical plants. If you really intend to grow it in glass, I would have chosen a container with an open top not an enclosed one. The other problem with an enclosed top if by any chance the sun hits it, it will be like a solar oven and will burn the leaves as the light goes through the glass.

The bead-like succulent is Senecio rowleyanus, then the other one with fur on the leaves looks like a Kalanchoe tomentosa, the tall growing one looks like a Crassula ovata. All of these succulents, can take in the cool temps as long as it is kept dry outdoors, or if grown indoors near a bright window. But better growth is seen outdoors for these plants, with some nice shade for the Senecio as temps go higher and drier towards the warmer months. If it is really hot desert-like conditions in your area, put it in a protected area with an overhang, that still allows air around it.

tarev said:Personally, I abhor planting succulents in containers with no drainage, whether glass, or not.

Now if you really intend to keep it this way, since it is a matter of preference, just be very careful when you water. It will take longer to dry out, and may also invite fungal rot on the leaves. Succulents do not need that terrarium-like set up which holds moisture in like we do for tropical plants. If you really intend to grow it in glass, I would have chosen a container with an open top not an enclosed one. The other problem with an enclosed top if by any chance the sun hits it, it will be like a solar oven and will burn the leaves as the light goes through the glass.

The bead-like succulent is Senecio rowleyanus, then the other one with fur on the leaves looks like a Kalanchoe tomentosa, the tall growing one looks like a Crassula ovata. All of these succulents, can take in the cool temps as long as it is kept dry outdoors, or if grown indoors near a bright window. But better growth is seen outdoors for these plants, with some nice shade for the Senecio as temps go higher and drier towards the warmer months. If it is really hot desert-like conditions in your area, put it in a protected area with an overhang, that still allows air around it.

I did buy this because the container is cool, but I can always find something else to put in it. I'd rather the plants live. Good to know they'll be ok outside. All the different succulents and all their info is so overwhelming lol. I was planing to purchase more or attempt propigating and move outdoors. I have a nice spot that gets good sun in the evening, but there are some tree in the way so they won't burn. Would I be better off putting them in planters that can be moved in doors if needed or will they be ok being planted directly into the ground or into some concrete planters (with proper dainage of course). Should I be nervous of rain and them being outside. We are in the desert, so rain is rare, but when it happens it's a lot. I seem to be in zone 8 (different sites are showing 8, 8a and 8b....).

Good to know you are willing to use a more appropriate container.

So first to analyze the growth habit of those succulents there, Senecio rowleyanus is more of a trailing, downward growing plant, so it is better to be in a hanging container. The other two are more upright growing ones, so you can still put them all in one container, try to center the upright growing ones and put the trailing ones to the sides. Just make sure container you use have drain holes. It can be plastic, ceramic or clay, although clay is better for succulents since it is more porous and easier to dry out the root zone.

As for the media or soil, use cactus/succulent soil and you can add some more perlite or pumice to make it more open, so it will not compact too much in the container and keep it really well draining. Succulent roots are very shallow, so you do not need very deep containers, and most are slow growing so not too big a container.

Putting them in a smaller planter for now will be better, since the plants are still very young, and as you said, it will be easier to move them indoors if needed. As long as the soil is well draining, even it it rains, it should not be a problem. It will be a problem if it is cold winter rain and temps continue to be cold, succulents do not like soaking in that too much. But like any other plants, they like rain, as long as their roots get to dry out fast. Be mindful of the temperature outside, if it is still going below 40's there, better to keep them indoors by your sunniest window, the plants are still too young.

Good luck, and hope you can propagate more!