7 Tips for Creating a Thriving Succulent Garden

Place Them Where They'll Get Ample Sun

Succulents thrive with a solid amount of direct sunlight each day, so make sure that wherever you plant them, they receive plenty of sunshine. "Most succulents love at least 6 hours a day," says Evan Torchio, a plant expert and founder of Tree Menders. Choose a sunny spot in your garden or landscape where you know they'll get the requisite amount of sunshine.

Water Deeply, but Not Frequently

One way that people unknowingly hurt their succulents is by overwatering them—they can easily get waterlogged. "Your succulents won't tolerate soggy roots," says Torchio. "Watering is key, but less is more. Deep water when the soil feels completely dry, then let it drain completely before soaking again."

Use Fast-Draining Soil or Add Sand

Succulents need good drainage to prevent water-logged roots, so making sure the soil they are planted in is not just well-draining, but fast-draining is key—and if it isn't, amend the soil to help get it there. "Succulents need something fast-draining, so mix in a good amount of sand or pumice with your existing soil," says Torchio.

Fertilize Once a Year

Feed your succulents once during their growing season, and let them be during the winter while they are dormant—they don't require much fertilizer, and too much can actually harm them. "Don't worry too much about fertilizer—a light feeding once a year during the growing season is plenty," says Torchio. Choose a well-balanced NPK fertilizer with a 1-1-1 or 2-1-1 ratio.

Lightly Prune Your Succulents

Keep your succulents healthy by pruning them lightly—this will encourage new growth. "Feel free to snip off any dead leaves or leggy stems to keep your plants looking neat and encourage bushier growth," says Torchio.

Keep Them Free of Bugs

Succulents can harbor lots of unwanted pests like mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids, which can be detrimental to the plant's overall health. Keep your succulent garden clear of these pests as much as you can, using methods like insecticidal soap, neem oil, 70 percent isopropyl rubbing alcohol, and horticultural oils to rid your plants of these pests when you see them.

Use the Filler, Thriller, Spiller Approach

When designing your succulent garden, Abby Perry, master gardener and owner of Abby's Garden Parties, notes that many landscape designers use the "filler, thriller, spiller" approach to succulents. "This technique ensures a visually appealing garden with varied textures, heights, and shapes," Perry says. "The filler plants act as the main base or backdrop, providing bushy fullness. The thriller plants draw the eye upward with height and dramatic form—think statuesque specimens like aeonium or towering euphorbia. Finally, the spiller plants trail over the edges, softening the look."

Perry suggests using succulents like echeveria or sedum as fillers and trailing varieties like string of pearls or string of turtles as spillers.