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Let’s talk about heat dormant succulents for a sec.

June 2022 forecast Houston, Texas

Okay then. Let’s talk about heat dormant succulents for a sec. In extreme heat, a lot of succulent plants will slow down or completely stop growing to conserve their energy. Overwatering at this time = risk of them rotting. So how do we know when it’s time to reduce or stop watering? How do we know when a succulent isn’t actively growing? Observation. Some signs of growth include flowering, new leaf production, increasing in size etc. Making notes and taking pics of your plants (as we do) builds familiarity with their growing cycles.

Continue… “Let’s talk about heat dormant succulents for a sec.”
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Now available: The paperback version of The Succulent Manual!

The Succulent Manual paperback version is now available! I am SO grateful to everyone who has supported Sucs for You, and I’m super stoked to finally hold a physical manifestation of my book ‘The Succulent Manual: A guide to care and repair for all climates’ in my very own hands!

‘Succulents are taking over the hearts and window sills of millions of people around the world, and everyone wants to know what they need to thrive. Andrea Afra, from the popular succulent care and advice platform ‘Sucs for You,’ has helped thousands of succulent lovers become confident about understanding their plants’ needs based on their growing location. From these exchanges and shared experiences, The Succulent Manual was born.’

Get your copy of the paperback here: https://amzn.to/3jpv3UY

Visit this page for information on other available versions including an interactive eBook and the online version.

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Euphorbia mammillaris, blooming in March

Euphorbia mammillaris, blooming in March! You may have heard of a Corn Cob cactus – well, this is it, but it’s not a cactus. Euphorbias contain a latex/sap that can be highly irritating and toxic, so handle with care and wash your hands with a good soap after handling them.

This plant barely survived a brief freeze while covered on my front porch (zone 9A, Houston, Texas). Its soil was very dry which definitely helped it deal with the cold. I didn’t pay much attention to it but the other day I noticed every last branch was in flower!

Every branch in bloom!

Besides their latex, Euphorbias are easily distinguished from cacti by their flowers.

Euphorbias need a bit more water than cacti and thrive in bright indirect light. Full sun is good too as long as it’s not too hot, or else they can go heat dormant and possibly struggle to survive.

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Facebook and Instagram are down, so follow me on Twitter @sucsforyou

Follow Sucs for You on Twitter – Since Facebook took over Instagram, both platforms have gone down several times. I know a lot of us use those sites to keep in touch with friends and family, and have several years of photos and memories suddenly unaccessible. Along with the Sucs for You group and its 9,000+ members, I personally enjoy the many plant and nature centric Facebook groups and communities.

Continue… “Facebook and Instagram are down, so follow me on Twitter @sucsforyou”
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New feature: Ask Andrea!

Hello lovely people! I added a new feature to the site – Ask Andrea!

I wanted to offer a quick and simple way for you to reach out with your succulent questions. Whether you need help with an identification or figuring out what may be ailing your plant, I’m happy to help!

Simply fill out the form on the Ask Andrea page, send your payment (securely via Paypal, Venmo, or Zelle), and I’ll email you with the answers or a request for more details and/or photos.

It starts at $5 for 1-2 questions, but you can add more as needed! And of course there’s always the Custom Care Consultation option should you require a broader discussion.