Success With Succulents

Discover succulents with Debra Lee Baldwin, bestselling author of
Designing with Succulents, Succulent Container Gardens and Succulents Simplified

Welcome! I'm continually updating my site, now with 100+ pages on every aspect of succulents. Want a plant ID? Go to TYPES OF SUCCULENTS. Worried? Go to PESTS AND PROBLEMS. Want to grow the plants perfectly? Go to SUCCULENT CARE BASICS. Need garden maintenace? See REFERRALS. Looking for something specific? Check the MENU or use the SEARCH bar above. Feeling overwhelmed? Browse until you're better, or CONTACT me. Now relax and have fun. You've come to the right place. ~ Debra Lee Baldwin

HOW-TO'S, TIPS & IDEAS

SUCCULENT DESIGN

Discover how to plan and design lovely, carefree succulent gardens in containers and in the ground. Also under Design you'll find firewise landscaping info, DIY gifts and projects, and holiday decorating ideas - all beautifully showcasing succulents.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

SUCCULENT CARE

Get expert advice on growing, caring for and propagating succulents. Find out how to water, fertilize, control pests and diseases, overwinter succulents, grow them indoors, and by season and region. Under Varieties, view hundreds of labeled photos of easy-care kinds.

LOCAL & NATIONAL

SUCCULENT RESOURCES

Wondering where to find and purchase top-quality succulents? Which tools, books and supplies you need? It's all here under Resources, along with nurseries, public gardens and destinations in America's finest succulent city (San Diego) and beyond.

Subscribe to My Newsletter and Receive

Debra's 7 best succulents

In this free PDF exclusively for subscribers to my "Celebrating the Joy of Succulents" newsletter, you'll learn the 7 best easy-care succulents that thrive in pots and landscapes. Whether you're new to growing succulents or an experienced succulent "parent", you'll love these 7 beautiful plants.

Succulent Updates and Articles

Hidden Agave nursery garden (c) Debra Lee Baldwin

Jun 10 2021

See Hidden Agave Nursery’s Rare Agaves

Hidden Agave Nursery is more than a source of rare and unusual agaves, it's fast-tracking this popular succulent genus to its full potential. Owner Jeremy Spath specializes in species and cultivars that don't get overly large, perform well in gardens, and are exceptionally beautiful. I share his fascination with

Sansevieria, fountain at Laguna Beach Water District (c) Debra Lee Baldwin

Jun 1 2021

Laguna Beach Succulent Gardens

On the Laguna Beach Garden Tour I go hunting for succulents. Nearly all varieties thrive in Laguna's mild coastal climate. But what gets me every time are the flowering annuals and perennials that snuggle up to the succulents.

May 22 2021

See a Succulent Tidepool Terrace

A terrace adjacent to an outdoor sitting area is perfect for a colorful, easy-care succulent garden. This one, in Laguna Beach, CA suggests a tidepool. When you visually immerse yourself in it, you might as well be snorkeling.

May 11 2021

Twelve Common Succulent Landscape Mistakes

As a succulent garden consultant, I often see these common landscaping mistakes. Correcting them is usually simple and makes a big difference. Do any apply to you? If not, applause! Do share your own

Hanging succulent globes (c) Debra Lee Baldwin

Apr 29 2021

Visit Pigment, San Diego’s Chic Succulent Boutique

See Pigment's simple-but-sophisticated pots that frame succulents perfectly. Colors range from intense hues to white, cream and pastels. Many customers are young professionals living in apartments and condos with no space for gardening. Succulents are their pets,

Succulents in hedgehog pot (c) Debra Lee Baldwin

Apr 19 2021

Potted Succulent Tips and Hacks

Garden Gate shows ten of my tips and hacks for potted succulents. However, the magazine didn't have room for all the ideas I sent. So, for your enjoyment and edification, here are the rest.

Kalanchoe prolifera (c) Debra Lee Baldwin

Apr 18 2021

Succulents for Hawaii, Florida, Tropics

Will succulents grow in tropical climates like Hawaii and Florida? You might assume so, considering succulents like the same conditions we do when on vacation: Plenty of sunshine, not too hot, breezy and balmy. However,

Personal succulent shopper (c) Debra Lee Baldwin

Apr 10 2021

Succulent Personal Shoppers, How to Find or Become One

Using FaceTime, a succulent personal shopper shows clients what's new, interesting, seasonal and in limited supply at succulent specialty nurseries. As you direct her from your device

Lampranthus aurantiacus, Drosanthemum floribundum (c) Debra Lee Baldwin

Apr 5 2021

Succulent Ice Plants, Gallery and Video

The brilliantly beautiful succulent ice plants you'll see in my new page and video thrive in Zones 8-11. They come in eye-popping hues of purple, pink, lavender, rose-red, bright red, gold, orange and yellow.

Crassula falcata variegated (c) Debra Lee Baldwin

Mar 21 2021

Rojas Succulents Nursery Tour

If you're looking for a great succulent nursery to tour, head for family-owned Rojas Succulents on 1-1/2 acres in Fallbrook, CA. They do everything right. Superb plant material ranges from garden succulents to collectible rarities, including unusual variegates (striped or multicolored leaves).

Aloe leaf cut open (c) Debra Lee Baldwin

Mar 11 2021

What Makes Succulents SUCCULENT?

Become a better plant parent by learning the "how's" and "why's" of these lovable chubby plants. Discover what makes succulents so efficient. Slicing and squishing may seem unkind, but be assured there's method to my madness.

Cactus vs Euphorbia (c) Debra Lee Baldwin

Feb 28 2021

Euphorbia or Cactus? How to Tell

How can you tell a spiny euphorbia from a cactus? Observe key characteristics: the type of spines, flowers and leaves (or lack thereof). As I compiled my site's new Euphorbia page, I happily acquired the ability to tell at a glance which is which. Sure, you can scratch a plant, and if it drips milky sap, it's