Are you lamenting the end of gardening season? Or maybe you’ve got a black thumb and can only keep plastic alive. Either way, we at Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce have just the thing your plant-loving heart needs. Succulents!These hearty little fellas are cute as buttons and–most importantly–hard to kill. Ideal for your mantle, tabletop, bathroom shelf, or any other spot that could use a little life, these saucy succulents are a perfect way to brighten up your home. Just in time for fall and the PNW’s notoriously dreary winters!
Still pessimistic about your ability to properly love and care for these adorable little houseguests and give them the long life they deserve? “I’ve killed succulents before,” you may say. Well, have no fear. Here, we’ll walk you through not only the great selection of saucy succulents available at your local Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce locations, but also how to help them live their best life. Because, even if they are hearty…you still have to read instructions. So first, a foray into the general care of succulents.
3 Tips to Happy Houseplants
1. DO NOT OVERWATER.
I know what you’re thinking. “I thought plants LOVE water.” They do. But enough is enough, and too much is way too much when it comes to succulents. This tip is first because many a succulent has died at the hands of a water-happy gardener.
The trick is to forget about them for looooong stretches of time, past the point when all your other plants would have shrivelled up and died. Then guilt water it like crazy. Really soak it. Then forget about it again. Seriously though, infrequency is key, but so is the deep soak. It gives them all the water they need, but a chance to dry out in between. This is especially important in Washington winters. If it takes a week for your towel to dry out, how do you think your plant feels? Wet. That’s how it feels. Give it a break.
2. Succulents, like sinuses, need drainage.
Repeat this tip like the life-giving mantra it is. It goes hand in hand with the overwatering tip. They’re both weapons to fight your sweet little succulent’s greatest enemy: soggy roots. And before you get overwhelmed by fancy gardening terms like “drainage,” calm down. It just means make sure your pot has holes in the bottom. All that water from the occasional guilt downpour has to have somewhere to go. How would you like to sit in a soggy mud bath for a week or more? Your plant doesn’t like it either. When it comes to extra water in your pot, take Elsa’s advice and “Let it go.” Hairy the houseplant will thank you.
3. May the sun shine upon the face of your saucy succulent.
Succulents would love to be outside in Arizona more than they want to be in your house. Once you swallow that tough pill, your life and the life of your new little friend will be easier. Honor its roots (see what we did there?) by giving it a room with a view of the sunny outside life it longs for. Or at least a spot by a window. Preferably, a window that gets a lot of sun. If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, that means a southern-facing window. Still struggling? Go inside. Face the sunset. Is there a window to your left? That’s a great home for Hairy!
Now that you’ve read our tips and are thus an expert succulent grower, you’re ready to pick out your new friend. Succulents grow in a wide variety, and we have plenty to offer at Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce. We try our best to set you up for success, so the following are our sauciest succulents, guaranteed to thrive in the PNW. Ok, no guarantees, but we’ve done our best to overcome your black thumb, and that’s all we can really do. Without further ado…
Tacoma Boys’ Lineup of Saucy Succulents
Hens & Chicks (Sempervivum tectorium)
Ok, even the name is cute! Hens and Chicks are clumping rosettes that stay green all year long. They flower a lovely purple in the summer, and their babies are easily transplantable (hence the clever nickname).
Rattail Crassula 
So the name’s not so cute, but the plant more than makes up for it. It’s known for the multitude of tiny little leaves that flock its stems in an arrangement that creates a square shape. Some people call it “Princess Pines,” and we’re here for it. This little guy is an “invasive species,” but we like to think of it as ambitious!
Stonecrop (Sedum “Coppertone”)
Called “Stonecrop,” because the only thing easier to care for are stones (who says gardeners don’t have a sense of humor?). This is the plant for you! These plants (along with many succulents) literally get their start just by lying on top of soil. That’s it. You can do this! Bonus: They sprout a cute little white flower in midsummer.
Panda Plant (Kalanchoe)
Yep, you heard right. It’s called a Panda Plant, and it’s adorable. Soft, fuzzy and spotted, it’s basically a pet you don’t have to feed. But speaking of feeding pets…don’t feed Panda Plant to your pet, as it’s toxic to them. But if you’re a cat free home looking for a fur baby to call your own, Panda Plant is the succulent for you!
Shop Succulents and More at Your Local Specialty Store!
So there you have it, ladies and gentlemen! And those are just to name a few of the saucy succulents we have to offer here at Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce. After you pick out your new greenery, don’t forget to check out our incredible selection of pots. Right now, you can buy one and get TWO free! Head to one of our locations today and get everything you need for happy, healthy succulents today!
