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.”Harvesting Frailea castanea seeds…hopefully!
Update added! Here’s to hoping this sweet little cactus has produced seeds! Frailea castanea (aka Frailea asterioides) tend to be ‘cleistogamous,’ meaning they self-pollinate within the closed flower bud. We open up the bud and see what’s inside…
Continue… “Harvesting Frailea castanea seeds…hopefully!”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.
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!

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.


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”Weird and Wonderful Succulent Wish List
I like to check in on Mountain Crest’s Unusual Varieties category, and they have some really neat new plants up for grabs! Here are several I’m adding to my wish list – get them while you can because some have a limited amount available! Their prices are super reasonable, and MCG always has the best customer service and ships quickly and securely.
Continue… “Weird and Wonderful Succulent Wish List”‘I was a $5 grocery store rescue back in 2017…’
“I was a $5 grocery store rescue back in 2017. This curly-haired lady had just finished shopping and was headed to her car when she stopped the cart and glanced back at me sitting there alone in my pot on the ground, up against a concrete wall in the full harsh sun.
Continue… “‘I was a $5 grocery store rescue back in 2017…’”10 Cold-hardy Succulents
Winter is around the corner in the Northern Hemisphere but that doesn’t mean you can’t still add a few more succulents to your collection! Here are some lovely cold-hardy succulents for those of you who don’t have a lot of space left over after bringing your plants indoors. Many can survive freezing temperatures and even snow!
Continue… “10 Cold-hardy Succulents”Potting different types of succulents together
Happy together…or not? Potting different types of succulents together in arrangements looks great, but some won’t get along in the same pot (for very long at least.)
Continue… “Potting different types of succulents together”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.