Cold Hardy Succulents

As winter is approaching and the temperatures in my state drop to zero I was wondering if there is such a thing as cold tolerant succulents that can survive outside during the winter. Being completely new to the world of succulent gardening, I uncovered a vast amount of plants that do work in cold, frigid temperatures. The most well known ones being sempervivum (hens & chicks), and sedum (stonecrop). Both can grow as low as USDA zone 3 (-30°F), however, some prefer to cover these plants with plastic during the winter to stop them from getting wet and cold which is usually the reason for plant struggle. Piled up snow can also help as an insulator.

Another family of succulents that do well in colder climates is Jovibarba. Some identify Jovibarba in the same genus as sempervivum, but it North America they’re separate. There’s 3 different species according to Flora Europaea. Most nurseries will sell Jovibarba heuffelii which is cold hardy in USDA zone 4 and up.

Ice plants (Delosperma) are a perennial succulent that can grow in USDA zones 5-9. Ice plants bloom colorful purple, pink, yellow, and white flowers. The flower sparkles and glistens in sunlight giving off the appearance of ice crystals. They prefer dry soil and work as a ground cover.

Orostachys is another type of succulent that is rarer and a cousin of sempervivum. They work in USDA zones 5-10, although other sources go as low as zone 2 for certain varieties. It’s native mostly to China and surrounding regions. There are 14 different species to choose from, Orostachys Spinosa being my favorite.

Rosularia are a great addition for gardens in colder climates. Most Rosularia I found online grow in USDA zones 5-10, however, there’s 35 different species so cold hardiness could vary for some. Rosularia platyphylla is a popular variety that grows in clusters and eventually mounds into a mat. Great for rock gardens.

It turns out there is quite a list of cold hardy succulents to choose from, which is a great thing for us in the north. I’m excited to shop next summer and build a garden with succulents that’ll last year round. Happy planting!

Beneficial Uses of Aloe Vera: The Medicine Plant

Aloe might be a word someone would see while browsing the sunscreen shelf at a store, and for many it's a popular container plant to go on a shelf at home. Aloe Vera is a plant growing across the globe not just in people's houses and farms, but in demand. It seems to be a trendy word rising in cosmetics and even dietary supplements. This short stemmed succulent dates back to the B.C. Era, and has since been in stories from Christopher Columbus using it on wounded soldiers, to Cleopatra's beauty secrets. This plant has withstood the test of time, and is sprouting into all kinds of healing and medicinal uses today.

Aloe Vera's best known as a remedy for minor sunburns and cuts. It can be bought from the store as a gel or oil, and extracted from the plant itself by cracking open a leaf and squeezing the sap out. While the sap can be applied directly on the skin, it's also recommended mixing it with other natural oils and ingredients for a soothing cream. There are lots of how-to's online on making homemade Aloe Vera cream.

Aloe isn't just a great skin treatment, it can also heal cold sores and canker sores. The secret is in the amino acids and vitamins. Using Aloe Vera juice on mouth ulcers is straight forward. Dry the ulcer with a cotton swab, then dip a q-tip in Aloe Vera juice (right from the plant), and dab it directly on the infected area. It helps alleviate pain, and speeds up the healing process.

While the dubbed “medicine plant” boast so many skin benefits, some go as far to mix Aloe Vera gel in shakes or smoothies. Aloe Vera gel is a safe to eat, but it should be taken in small quantities because it's been linked to diarrhea and stomach aches if taken in excess. There is a very helpful article on the warnings and side effects of consuming Aloe Vera gel at www.aloeplant.info/aloe-vera-gel-warnings/. I would advice anyone deciding to eat the gel to use common sense, research, and read labels. I couldn't find any real benefits on the web of eating the gel, other than it “cleanses” the intestinal track.

Aloe Vera has found its way into thousands of off-the-shelf products. lip balm, lotion, dietary supplements, soap, shaving cream, conditioner, bug spray, and many more skin treatment products use the gel, but why is it so popular and how does it actually help the skin? It's because the gel is loaded with all kinds of healing and antibacterial properties. It doesn't just reduce irritation and cool the skin, but helps heal it at the same time. Thanks to two fancy worded substances called glycoproteins and polysaccahrides. I won't go into depth exactly how these work, but in a nutshell they moisturize the skin reducing inflammation, and kill off bacteria. It also consist of minerals, sugars, and enzymes. A whole lot of good stuff for an easy to grow plant.

My favorite use of Aloe Vera that I saw from DIY are ice cubes to help sunburns. It's so easy and simple anyone can make them. All you need is 100% Aloe Vera gel, or better yet gel right from the plant, and pour it into an ice cube tray. Freeze them and that's it. Little soothing ice cubes to relieve that lobster crab burn. I will most certainly try this in the summer.

With all the benefits of Aloe Vera, it's not just a great companion for succulent gardens, but an even better ally for skin treatment. Its history and stories of healing extends so far back it's no wonder why it's among one of the top sought after indoor plants. Whether as an aid for sunburns, or a unique specimen for a garden, this plant is definitely one worth picking up. Just be careful of the sharp teeth on the edge of the leaves.

More Than Just Succulents

I bought my first succulents half a year ago at a nursery I was working at. I was pretty new to the flower business and actually didn’t know what these strange little alien looking plants were called. I saw them nestled in their tiny pots and all the different shapes, colors, and textures drew me in. They sat on a table that looked like an exotic mini rainforest full of plastic looking leaves and spikes. Each one appeared as a unique character to me, full of its own personality. That’s why it was hard choosing some to take home because each one had its own striking features. They were baby plants and cheap so I took three, but even a handful could be $20 or less anywhere since succulents are generally low-priced.

The three I’ve been caring for look fantastic. They are bigger and one even blossomed flowers last month. I potted the two in the picture using recycled tin cans, and drilled drainage holes on the bottom. I filled the cans halfway up with aquarium pebbles, and the rest with top soil. The results have been great thus far. There’s many helpful articles online on how to care for succulents; but from what I’ve gathered, they like well drained almost dry soil. The most important thing is to water them on time, and the container they are in has drainage holes so the soil isn’t overly watered. Succulents like it very dry, and they store water in their big fleshy leaves like a cactus. This makes them low maintenance and most usually need water once every two or three weeks during the summer, and once a month during the winter.

There are so many different types of succulents and seeing pictures online of other people’s collections makes me want to buy more. I remember buying Pokemon cards, or collecting action figures as a kid, and this is that same feeling. I think it would be cool to someday have a huge garden of succulents on a deck or in a greenhouse. Create a world of little characters that takeoff small and see how each one ages. Maybe some will grow flowers? Or other ones turn different colors? It’s beautiful to watch these little gems grow and transform over time.

I remember watering my succulents just before leaving home for a month to be with my girlfriend. When I got back home I was a little worried they’d been sitting out to long without water, but sure enough when I entered my room one had grown three yellow flowers! First of all I had no idea it grew flowers, and second they did just fine while I was gone. There’s something fulfilling about taking care of these small wonders, especially having no idea what they’ll do. That element of surprise is so exciting, and it made think twice about how special plants are than just a thing old people buy or someone surprises their love with. They take on a life of their own, and that’s awesome.