Succulents and Way Too Much Rain

Rain-drenched aloes (c) Debra Lee Baldwin

This year I figured my drenched aloes might finally succumb. They got quite a pounding. The gutter overflows 20 feet above them, then continues down-slope. Yet they’re fine. I have some theories why.

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Succulent Rainstorm Checklist

Euphorbia greenwayi (c) Debra Lee Baldwin

Succulents love rain but some may be in danger of getting too much. Here’s my own Succulent Rain Checklist for in-ground and potted succulents, plus a Succulent Rain Gallery

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Oh No, My Succulents Froze!

Frostburned Portulacaria afra (c) Debra Lee Baldwin

Will your succulents recover from frost damage? It depends. Here’s how frost-tender succulents looked before temps dropped into the mid-20s F, and after: Euphorbias before frost Here’s the same Euphorbia ammak ‘Variegata, after the frost: Euphorbia ammak after frost Likelihood of recovery: Nil. Too much of the tissue was damaged. But what about the Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Sticks on Fire’ behind…

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Ways to Overwinter Succulents

These four ways to overwinter succulents give you several options, depending on how cold it gets where you live. Most varieties can’t handle temps below 32 degrees F. These common winter conditions can lead to damage or death for dormant (not actively growing) succulents: — soggy soil (causes roots to rot) — excess rainfall (engorges…

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