How to Make Succulents Bloom

Is there a way to make succulents bloom? Yes and no. It partly depends on a plant’s age. It may not be large or mature enough to gear up for reproduction (which is the point of flowers). But there IS something you can do to make a succulent bloom if it’s just sitting there, sulking, with no apparent reason not to produce a prized flower spike—if it’s the proper season. Most succulents bloom in spring and summer, but others (like aloes and crassulas) flower in midwinter.

So here’s the secret: Succulents (most plants for that matter) need light in order to flower. Sun is essential to photosynthesis, which creates energy and fuels new growth. All plants (actually, all living things) want to reproduce, and for plants that means being robust enough to bloom. Because most succulents come from warm, dry climates, they require a lot of light.

 If this aloe could talk, it would say, “I’m starved for light! I may not be able to bloom! Help!”

Aloe maculata (A. saponaria)

Above: A specimen of Aloe maculata growing indoors in the Seattle area. Although it’s healthy, it has flattened and elongated its leaves in order to expose as much of its surface as possible to light. The term for this is etiolation (et-ee-oh-lay-shun).

Aloe maculata (A. saponaria) in bloom

Above: This is how Aloe maculata looks with half a day of sun and half a day of bright shade. Even in these near-ideal conditions, the rosette and flower spikes are leaning in the direction of greatest light. Leaf tips have protected themselves from too much sun by turning reddish-brown. The pigment it’s similar to melanin, which causes skin to tan or freckle.
And here, in all-day sun with minimal water, a similar specimen’s leaves have shortened to reduce evaporation. (Note how those in the first photo are much longer.) Sun exposure is evidently somewhat harsh because it has reddened even more. The horticultural term for this is “stress,” which is aesthetically desirable because it enhances color and symmetry. This plant may be a bit too stressed—leaf tips have scorched and growth has slowed—but look closely: It’s in bud!
What to do if you live in an often overcast climate or grow succulents mainly inside? This is from my website page, How to Grow Succulents in Seattle (Northern Climates):
Indoors, set them near windows that face south or west. Don’t bother with north-facing windows, but if your windows face east, do collect and enjoy low-light lovers such as haworthias and gasterias. [Read more]
About Aloe maculata: Formerly known as Aloe saponaria (soap aloe) because the gel in its leaves lathers like soap, it is one of the few potentially invasive succulents, capable of sending up new plants from horizontal roots a few inches below the soil surface. Baby plants can pop up three feet or more from the mother! I have a colony of Aloe maculata in a rocky area of the garden where they can’t get into trouble, because I love the flowers, which are branching—unlike the columnar spikes of many other aloes. They don’t make good cut flowers, though, because cut stems ooze a mucilaginous gel. Aloe maculata is not often found at nurseries in Southern CA because there’s minimal demand for it (it’s a common passalong plant). A similar aloe that is better behaved, not toothed, often sold in nurseries, and much more prized in cultivation is Aloe striata (coral aloe). See it and others on my website’s Aloes page.

Related info on this site:

Summer Care for Succulents: Heat and Sun Concerns
Don’t let summer sun and heat harm your succulents! Heat, unlike frost (temps 32 degrees F and lower), usually isn’t…[Continue reading]

Aloe nobilis, in bright shade on left, in full sun on right

How to Stress Your Succulents (And Why You Should)
Plenty of sun brings out brilliant reds and yellows in certain succulents, but how much to “stress” the plants varies depending on [Continue reading]

http://debraleebaldwin.com/caring-for-succulents/keep-succulents-happy-indoors/

On my YouTube channel: Sun and Your Succulents (1:41)

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Posted in Caring for Succulents, How-To's & Tips, Plants & Varieties and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

9 Comments

  1. E.C. on May 31, 2018 at 6:22 pm

    I just repotted a couple of A. maculata that have been largely ignored/occasionally watered for several years. They’ve never bloomed but have produced many pups, which I potted up separately. The mother plants are very red with dry tips from lots of sun exposure, but they are now in bright shade. Will their green color return, or only affect new growth?

    Reply
    • Debra on May 31, 2018 at 7:03 pm

      Yes, they’ll revert to green in bright shade (the entire plant, not just new growth). I’m surprised they didn’t bloom, considering all the sun they received!

      Reply
  2. Steve on February 22, 2021 at 6:34 am

    Hi Debra, I have a succulent that has flowered. I ‘think’ it is an aloe species judging by the pictures on your web site. Now that the flowers are spent, what do I do with the flower spike itself? Your advice is appreciated!

    Reply
    • Debra Lee Baldwin on February 22, 2021 at 9:09 am

      Hi Steve — It should snap off cleanly if you push it to one side. Or use scissors or clippers to cut it close to the plant. DLB

      Reply
  3. Tammy on September 8, 2021 at 4:58 pm

    Hi. My indoor succulents are getting 18hrs a day of led light. But the echeverias are putting out thick but very small leaves. I bought a 4” echeveria and over the whole summer (4months) it grew layer after layer of full small leaves. Now it’s taller but it’s only 2” wide. What the heck is going on? All others are growing great! Please help!!! I use co-co-peat and pearlite and some have regular potting soil with pearlite. I’m thinking it’s a nutrient deficiency. But all other kinds like sedum an so on are nice an tight an growing wonderfully. Help

    Reply
    • Debra Lee Baldwin on September 12, 2021 at 1:52 pm

      Hi Tammy, Sounds like you’re doing everything right. Do the echeverias have thick stems? Sometimes old echeverias will only produce small rosettes. If you want to send me a photo, you’re welcome to do so in a reply to my newsletter.

      Reply
  4. John on May 13, 2023 at 3:26 pm

    Hi, I’m about to build a frame 4” high 12” deep 16” wide. I want to fill it with as many succulents as possible, with Home Depot succulent mix. Tell me what Not to do. Thank you

    Reply
  5. John on May 13, 2023 at 3:29 pm

    12 x 16” 4 “ deep , with decorative rocks or anything you can recommend.

    Reply

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