Don’t let succulents suck the enjoyment out of gardening. Try these six easy alternatives that are even more rewarding to grow.
I am not a succulent fan and proud to say it. I know not everyone agrees with me, but succulents can be difficult to take care of.
Many people deny their plant skills, saying they don’t have a green thumb and can’t even take care of a succulent. Even I have yet to figure out succulents — and I’m a plant enthusiast and parent to a mini jungle!
Some say succulents are the Goldilocks of plants, that they thrive on neglect. But this is only partially true as they only tolerate a certain amount of neglect. They’re dramatic if you give them too much attention and too little.
Most plants make us aware of their needs and are forgiving about unintentional neglect. They’ll let us know by showing signs of leaf wilting, discoloration or slow growth.
But succulents, on the other hand, are far less forgiving. They may lose a leaf but because they grow at such a slow rate, there is minimal recovery from lost leaves. Succulents won’t warn you. They’ll just start losing leaves at a rate faster than they can regrow them.
Here are a few plants I recommend instead of succulents.
 Pothos: A versatile plant with lush, green leaves. They’re fast growers and will visibly wilt when thirsty, making them easy to care for. |
 Philodendron: Similar to pothos, philodendrons are forgiving and responsive, showing their needs clearly. The heartleaf variety is especially popular. |
 Snake plant: A hearty, low-maintenance plant that thrives in various light conditions, including low light, making it highly adaptable. |
 Zz plant: An easygoing plant that prefers indirect light, perfect for brightening up a low-light corner without much fuss. |
 Tradescantia: These plants grow like weeds and are visibly happy when thriving, quickly shotting out new leaves. |
 Spider plant: A resilient, easy-to-grow plant known for its sprawling leaves and ability to produce “spiderettes.” It thrives in various light conditions and forgives you if you miss a watering or two. |
Are you a succulent lover with something to say? Let us know!
Stella Marti is an intern with the SAWS Conservation department.
