Can succulents grow in office light? And will they thrive in it?

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Succulents are native to semi-desert areas. And as you no doubt know, sun shines most of the time in the desert :). Needless to say, however, we grow most plants in our gardens and houses, regardless of where they come from. And fortunately, thanks to their hardiness, succulents can grow in office light. It comes with some challenges though.

Because when the succulent lack one thing they are accustomed to, everything else need to be close to perfection, at least if you want to enjoy your plants thriving, instead of merely surviving. Aside from soil, water, and sunlight, you should consider other things when growing these beauties in an office, under an artificial light. Now we will look at everything in detail.

1. Choose the right succulent variety for your office

Although succulents are usually resilient plants, not all of them grow well indoors. Some of these plants need more sunlight than others. There are a few varieties though that grow well inside. Example of those succulents are: aloe vera, snake plant, burro’s tail, and others. We’ll have a look at it in a second. 

2. Make sure you plant your succulents in the right soil mix

Bear in mind that succulents do not like soil that retains too much water. The best choice is a fast-draining soil. It is especially important for succulents you grow in the office, because the temperature inside is lower than the temperature outside, and it takes longer for water or moisture to dry in such conditions.

When this happens, the succulents are vulnerable to over-watering, which can cause plethora of problems to your plants. You can make your own succulent soil mix. However, if you are busy and do not do this full time, check my recommended succulent soil mix and other succulent materials I personally use. Then you do not have to worry about anything–just wait for the package to arrive.

3. Watering succulents that grow in office light

Aside from choosing the right soil, succulents also need a good watering technique which gives them just enough water.  Indoor succulents are prone to over-watering, and there is no single strategy that fits all succulent varieties. However, there are a few things worth considering to make sure you give your plants just what they need and do not drown them in excess water.

The first thing to remember is to soak the soil. Avoid misting because it only generates a weak root system. Misting motivates the roots to grow upwards instead of downwards. Thorough watering is the key to avoid this phenomenon. It reaches all the roots and lets them drink well.

Second thing to remember is to not water your succulents from the top of the plant. Target the soil instead. Watering the leaves and stems may only cause problems, especially when you grow your plants in office light, which isn’t going to dry their leaves quickly.

4. Succulents need some light source in the office

Succulents are accustomed to light. Growing them indoors with a complete absence of natural light is a challenge. When the plants do not have enough sunlight exposure, they tend to develop growth issues. If you want to grow succulent in your office desk or space, make sure that the office has a window and some sun shines on the plants every day.

Succulents love bright light so it is better to have a brighter window.But what to do if you have no windows, or cannot place the plants near them? This becomes challenging during the winter or cold season, and the only option really is to use grow light (click here to check my recommended grow light on Amazon). With a grow light, you can easily give succulents a few hours of light every day, which may be all they need to thrive in an office environment.

 

Three succulents that grow well in low light

Some succulent varieties grow well indoors while others don’t. That being said, it is very important to pick the right variety for the indoor environment, regardless of your light source. The three succulents I recommend for this purpose are:

  1. Aloe Vera – Aloe plants come in many sizes. Some species grow bigger than others. Depending on the space in your office, you can choose the right size. I suggest smaller aloes for the office though. Aloes do not demand much care and can thrive in low light.
  2. Haworthias – Other great succulent for low light conditions are the haworthias. Although haworthias love bright light, they can survive in low light conditions, and they do not need much maintenance in my experience. I’ve many of them, and they all did well indoors.
  3. Snake Plant – Snake plants do not only enhance the aesthetic feature of the indoors space, also help to purify the air. Scientific evidence suggests that snake plants absorb airborne pathogens emitted by the furniture. And they love staying indoors, so you should have no problems keeping them inside.

 

Final thoughts

Succulents can grow in office light as long as they are given the right type of soil, the right amount of water, and sufficient light. The success in growing succulents in an office starts at picking the right variety. Just remember that not all succulents grow well in office light. Choose those that do, give them all they need, and both you and your plants will be happy…

May also interest you:

  • Fungicides for succulents – Check the best brands, or learn how to make your own fungicide at home. Protect your office plants and enjoy them in full beauty.
  • When to bring succulents inside? If you grow your plants outside, a day will come when you need to carry them indoors. Learn what temperatures these plants tolerate, when it is right to take them inside, and how to do it to make sure you won’t harm them.
  • Potting pebbles for succulents – Do they make sense, or should you rather avoid them?