Tips & Tricks

Tips

ROOTLESS succulents are protected by a waxy or powdery coating

Succulents such as Echeverias, Pachyphytum and Dudleya have quite a thick coating of wax on their leaves. This powdery coating serves as a natural sunscreen and enables the plant to withstand both heat and cold.

Each succulent has its own properties and characteristics, which is why this wax coating can differ from one variety to another. Echeveria lilacina, for example, has a beautiful white coating, while Echeveria agavoides is green and has no coating at all.

Is your ROOTLESS growing a long stem?

The core of a ROOTLESS can become elongated. Particularly Echeverias are prone to this problem. The plant almost literally crawls towards the light, a process called ‘etiolation’. An etiolated succulent has a ‘leggy’ look, and its leaves are spaced wider apart. To remedy this, you need to put the succulent in brighter light. If you do this soon enough, the plant will adjust its growing habit all by itself. However, if this fails, you can cut off the top of the succulent and repot it.

Can a ROOTLESS succulent flower?

Certainly, ROOTLESS succulents flower! Their flowers are often very beautiful, with a lovely shape and bright, vivid shades colours. They can be a magenta, or even orange. After the plant had completed its winter rest period, the flowers will start to emerge from its axils. Roots have no influence on the growth and flowering of the plant because ROOTLESS succulents derive their energy from their leaves.

Can a ROOTLESS succulent grow roots?

After a few weeks, you may see some roots sprouting from your ROOTLESS succulent. By then, the plant will have entered survival mode. These small roots are a sign of life and tell you that the plant is ready to be planted.

The colours of the roots may vary from one variety to another, but Echeverias have the most beautiful roots of all. They are a lovely shade of the palest pink.

What is the best place to put my ROOTLESS succulent?

ROOTLESS succulents are not afraid of sunlight and can be kept in front of all windows. Direct sunlight is not a problem. On the contrary, sunlight increases the intensity of the leaf colour. These plants like to be kept outdoors in summer. They thrive on a veranda, balcony or patio during this season. The natural habitat of ROOTLESS succulents are warm, sunny areas, after all.

Does a ROOTLESS succulent need water?

ROOTLESS succulents can survive for a long time without water because they store moisture in their leaves. So, if you have a ROOTLESS succulent, there is no need to worry about watering it. What could possibly be more convenient?

My ROOTLESS succulent is dropping leaves!

It’s only natural for an Echeverias to lose some of the leaves at the bottom. Is the fallen leaf brown, small or dry? If so, it is no longer of any use to the plant. If the leaf has a good leaf base (the lower part of the leaf) and is full of juice, you can use this leaf to grow a new plant. Make sure the leaf is intact and let it dry for 7 days. Next, lay it on top of a substrate composed of potting soil and spray it every day with a plant sprayer. After a while, you will see roots starting to emerge. Tiny Echeverias will grow from these roots. Once they are bigger, you can transfer them in a larger pot.

Where can I buy ROOTLESS succulents?

You can buy ROOTLESS products directly from the grower in our online shop www.AloeDemi.nl. There are also other online shops that carry ROOTLESS products. But also at concept stores, the furniture industry, garden centers and gift shops.

Corporate customers can purchase these succulents through the FloraXhange , Floriday trade channel (company name: Aloe Demi).

Can I repot a ROOTLESS succulent?

ROOTLESS succulents can survive for a long time without water – even without roots.  If you want to propagate you succulents, you will need a pot containing some potting soil. The potting soil should be a bit sandy, to ensure proper drainage. The succulent should not have any open wounds (to prevent root rot).

Thoroughly wet the potting soil and put your ROOTLESS on top of it. The plant will ‘smell’ the water and start to grow roots. After 6-10 weeks, your ROOTLESS will have enough roots to bind itself to the soil. Your rootless succulent will now become a plant with roots. The best time to do this is in the spring, as increasing daylight will help the plant to grow. Make sure your plant is not flowering. You cannot repot a succulent when it is putting its energy into flowering.