How to Plant Succulents in Rocks: Complete Guide!

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Succulents ROCK! So, let’s learn how to plant succulents in rocks.

Succulents are popular plants as they need minimal care and store water for a longer period, making them “the camels of the plant world.”

They come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes, which means you have plenty of options to experiment with your creative succulent garden ideas.

Besides growing succulents in the soil directly, people also grow them in rocks by pouring a small amount of soil into rock cervices then placing the plant on the soil.

Here, we have explained a step-by-step procedure of growing succulents in the rocks and a lot more to help you create beautiful succulent gardens!

Can Succulents Grow in Rocks Without Soil?

No, succulents cannot survive on just rocks long-term and will need a soil medium. Succulents (like snake plants) planted on only rocks may live for a week or before starting to die off.

Succulents are hardy plants as they can survive in extreme environmental conditions in which other plants can never thrive. Therefore, they require less water and nutrients from the growing medium to grow properly. That is why it is possible to grow succulents in or on rocks, but you still cannot grow them without soil.

You will have to provide roots a medium to grow by putting some soil on the rock surface where you want to place a succulent. The soil mixture should be enough to cover the roots of growing succulents.

Succulents are not epiphytes, which are the plants (such as orchids) that attach themselves to other objects and grow on them by taking their nutrients. Epiphytes can grow without soil, but succulents cannot grow without soil.

Succulents and Rocks Make A Good Pair

Most succulents are native to areas where rainfall occurs very occasionally, such as rocky deserts, etc. That is why combining succulents and rocks makes perfect sense. They look like they belong to each other.

Succulents survive as well in the rocks at home as they do in rocks in the wild. They are low maintenance and require less water as they can store water and rely on it for a longer period. Due to this ability, succulent growers find them the easiest plants to grow on rocks.

Hardy succulents (and cold-hardy succulents) do not like excess water. Since rocks promote water drainage, growing succulents on rocks help manage water content. Rocks also help sun-loving succulents get direct sunlight by raising their elevation from ground level.

If you want to be a succulent grower, you can find succulents in a variety of beautiful colors, shapes, and sizes. You can have several types of succulents from the market and make your own small succulent rock garden.

You can also place them in the pot by adding a little potting soil and covering the soil with different types of rocks. This setting will hide the soil, and it will look like the succulent is growing in rocks with no soil.

Finally, you can place the pot in a sunny window as a decoration piece. Doing so will also help the plant get full sun.

How to Plant Succulents in Rocks Outdoors

The first thing you need to do is gather the basic things required to plant succulents or create a succulent garden. You will need:

·      Small-sized succulents

·      Soil mixture that has a good drainage system

·      Durable gardening gloves

·      A trowel

Now follow the steps explained below to plant succulents in rocks outdoors.

Step 1: Find Space

Clear an area in your garden where you want to create a beautiful arrangement of rocks and soil. Most of the succulents need full sun, while some need partial sun. Choose an area in your garden by keeping in mind the size and sunlight requirement of the plant.

Step 2: Find Rocks

Arrange rocks in the cleared area in a design that you prefer. Get both large and small rocks. You can place succulent plants in the large rocks and use the small-sized rocks to cover the ground for decorative purposes.

The popular rocks that are used to build succulent rock gardens include:

·      Lava rocks

·      Desert gold rocks

·      Baja Cresta boulders

·      Gold quartzite boulders

·      Baja Cresta rubble

You should select rocks by keeping in mind the type of succulents you are planning to buy. Since succulents and rocks are available in different colors, the plant you buy should have a color that goes well with the rock. The type of succulents you buy should also have a small size so that they can easily fit in rocks.

Step 3: Remove Succulent from Pot

Carefully remove the plant from the pot. Do not worry if you break one or two roots while taking the plant out of the potting mix. A succulent plant can tolerate this much damage. Next, remove the potting mix that is attached to the roots. If roots are wet, place them in a secure area and let them dry.

Step 4: Add Draining Soil

Put a little draining soil on the rock surface or in the rock crevices where you want to place the succulent plant. Soil should have drainage holes to encourage water movement and avoid root rot.

Avoid using the potting mix for this purpose because it has more nutrients than a succulent needs. Using the topsoil of your garden is a good idea. You can add a small amount of organic materials to increase the nutrients of the soil mix.

Tip: Try using a succulent potting mix made with the appropriate balance of nutrients specifically for succulents.

Step 5: Transfer Succulent Carefully

Place the plant on the top of the soil such that the roots of the succulents get covered completely. You may need to add more soil mixture to ensure they are completely covered.

Small succulents have a simple root system, meaning their roots are small and do not take a lot of space.

Give the arrangement the final touches like spraying water on the plant, placing small rocks (like river rocks, pea gravel, small pebbles) around the large rocks, etc.

How to Plant Succulents in Rocks Indoors

Succulents are low-maintenance plants. You can grow them indoors as well if you keep providing them with things they need to survive, such as enough sunlight, nutrients, and water. Follow the steps described below to plant succulents in rocks indoors.

Step 1: Get A Container and Add Pebbles and Soil

Potting succulents can be tricky. Get a container or a wide-mouth bowl in which you want to place succulents. Place a five-centimeter thick layer of pebbles or gravels in the container. Next, add a soil layer to the container.

Step 2: Carefully Transfer Succulents

Remove succulents from their pots and start placing them in the container. Distribute them in the container to get the look that you want.

Step 3: Add More Soil and/or Topdressing

Add more soil to the container. Then add topdressing if you want to. You can use pea gravels of different colors or any other decorative rocks to increase the beauty of the succulent container.

Place the container next to your other house plants in an area where it can have sufficient sunlight that it needs to survive.

See below for a helpful graphic for planting in a terrarium!

Topdressing Rocks for Succulents

Topdressing rocks for succulents come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. They are very pretty, and it often becomes hard to choose only one. If you want to enhance the aesthetics of your succulent container, then here are a few examples of topdressing rocks that you must consider.  

·      Polished white pebbles

·      Brown wood pebbles

·      Natural river rocks

·      Crushed lava rocks

·      DIY rocks

·      Sandstone

You can also use other decorative items for topdressing. Examples of these items include:

·      Green preserved reindeer moss

·      Crushed charcoal

·      Rose quartz chips

How to Care for Succulents in Rocks

Succulents may not grow as well in the rocks as they grow in the soil if you do not provide them with sufficient soil and other materials. Keep in mind the below tips to help the plant grow normally and live a long life.

Watering

Succulents are the camels of the plant world. They can store water and use it for a longer duration. As a result, they need less water than a normal plant needs. Therefore, you should give them water in moderation.

Water when the topsoil is dry. Water the plant once a week in summers and once in two to three weeks in winters. Avoid watering as it can cause root rot and lead to plant death.

Adding New Soil Occasionally

Succulents need soil to survive as it provides them the nutrients and water. When growing them in the rocks, you should add enough soil to cover roots or at least the base of the roots. You can top up the soil every two weeks to ensure that succulents have plenty of it to grow.

Make sure the soil has a good drainage system. It has drainage holes to promote air and water flow. So, you do not have to remove the old soil from the pot. Instead, pour new potting soil mix over the old soil and shake the pot. The soil will settle down in places that have insufficient soil. 

Adding Nutrients or Fertilizers

Another option you have to increase the nutrient content of the soil is adding fertilizers to the soil. Add diluted fertilizers of ½ or ¼ strength to the water, then pour water when the plant needs it. It will allow the plant to have water as well as nutrients.

You can spot nutrient deficiency of your plant by the browning of its leaf edges. In addition, new foliage and buds will have stunted growth.

Providing Enough Sunlight

Sunlight requirements of succulents vary from one plant type to the other. Study the requirements of your plant before buying it. Choose a plant species that can survive well in the climate of your area.

Many succulents need a daily dose of sunlight, but some can also adapt to living in shades. Provide your plants with enough sunlight to make sure they have healthy growth.

Getting Rid of Mealybugs

Mealybugs love growing on succulent plants. They create a web-like structure under the leaves and hide in it. These bugs also extract juices from the plant and have a negative effect on its growth. That is why it is important to get rid of them as soon as you find them on the plant.

Inspect your plant from time to time to detect the growth of mealybugs. If you find them growing on your plant, spot treatment is the best treatment option you can perform at home.

Make a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution in water. Get a cotton swab and dip it in the solution. Next, dab the cotton ball onto the web of mealybugs. The bugs will die in a short time. If the mealybug attack is severe, then spray isopropyl alcohol solution on the plant every week.

It is best first to make sure that the solution does not harm the plant. For this, apply the solution to a small portion of the plant for one to two days before using it for the mealybugs.

Summing Up: How to Plant Succulents in Rocks

Succulents are easy to grow plants and are even easier to maintain. You can grow them in or on rocks by adding a small amount of soil to cover the succulent roots. Add new soil or fertilizers occasionally to make sure plants have a constant supply of nutrients. Water the plant when the topsoil gets dry.

Enjoy watching your succulent rock garden grow!