Learn How to Grow Succulents at Star Succulent Nursery!
Succulents are a striking, water-wise addition to your garden. We met with Crystal Walters from Star Succulent Nursery to learn how to grow succulents successfully and the easiest ways to propagate new plants!
Star Succulent Nursery is a small, female-owned nursery on the outskirts of Lodi. We visited on a hot summer day, the type of day when you’d expect all of the plants to look a little…droopy – but that certainly wasn’t the case. The nursery uses shade cloth sails to protect the young succulents from the harsh summer sun, which also helps to increase the time between waterings. Crystal Walters, the owner of Star Succulent Nursery, smiled and explained that despite the triple-digit temps, succulents can still thrive in warmer areas like the Central Valley. “They’re definitely not no maintenance, but they’re less maintenance,” she laughs.
Growing a business
Crystal fell in love with succulents while working at a wholesale nursery in San Diego. After moving back home to Lodi, she wanted to pursue her passion for plants, so with her father’s encouragement that’s exactly what she did. In her mid-twenties, Crystal founded Star Succulent Nursery and readily admits that starting a business, especially a nursery business, was a learning process. “The USDA has a lot of red tape to go through. I started importing succulents, and it is tough to find information on how to easily bring in plants from other places – even out of just California! We have really tight shipping and importing restrictions; bare-root, no soil, which I completely understand. Bugs are terrible and diseases and fungus, all of that.”
Over the next few years, Crystal began to propagate her own succulents – using cuttings from existing plants to create new plants. “One of the things people love about succulents is that it’s so easy to create new babies,” Crystal explains. The process is as simple as it sounds. Crystal simply uses clean clippers to snip a “cutting” from an established plant. Cuttings are placed in special succulent soil and misted regularly until they’ve established roots. “We try to propagate as much as we can. This year, we have not imported any plants (from outside of California), but we do get plants from other California growers.”
Like with other agricultural commodities, nursery persons are about community and helping one another out. We definitely are not fast enough getting plants out,” Crystal admits. Finding growers to partner with can be challenging and she explains that she mainly discovers new sources by word of mouth. Lodi, Crystal notes, is known for being a supportive agricultural community and neighbors often refer her to new growers. “I get a lot of help from other growers. They’ll just tell you, ‘Oh, have you been to this lady down the road?’ It’s also very easy to ask someone about soil or what they’re using for pests; it’s nice. It’s definitely a great community.”
Save water. Grow succulents.
Succulents are a sustainable choice for California gardens as they require less water than many other plants. In California’s coastal areas, succulents only need to be watered every 7-10 days during the hottest part of the year.
In the Central Valley, however, succulents might need to be watered every 4 to 7 days during the summer, depending on soil type and exposure. One of the most common mistakes that succulent owners make is assuming that drought-tolerant plants can handle full sun. Most succulents, especially younger plants, prefer no more than 4 hours of full sun. Matching the right plant to the right location is one of the keys to success when growing succulents in California. However, Crystal notes that overwatering is often at the root (literally) of succulent deaths. “It’s better to under water, than to over water,” she explains, “They can come back from under watering. If you over water, they just turn to mush.”
Education is the key to success
Crystal understands that education is the key to success in gardening. She’s passionate about setting folks up with the tools and knowledge they need for their plants to thrive. Star Succulent Nursery hosts workshops and events at their location, as well as at other local businesses. For example, they hold Pumpkin Succulent Workshops in October at nearby CaliVirgin Olive Oil. Crystal regularly hosts succulent propagation classes and even Bingo Nights at the nursery. She also encourages folks to come in and simply ask questions, “We like to be face-to-face with our customers. We want people to know we’re here for all of their succulent growing needs!”
Crystal’s Tips for Succulent Success
Water less
Only water when the soil is completely dried out. It’s better to under water than to over water.
Know your environment + find the right light
Don’t be afraid to move your plant around until you find the perfect spot for it to thrive!
Succulents need to be protected from full summer sun and from frost. The goal is to figure out how the sun moves with every season and make sure that your succulents are protected.
Soil matters
Use the correct soil. Succulents need a well-draining soil, but when you are rooting succulent cutting, you want to use a nice fluffy soil for better root growth. The better your soil is, the better your succulents will do.
Keep it clean
Wash all of your pots before you put fresh soil in them, sanitize your tools, potting tables and anything that touches your succulents regularly.
Visit Star Succulent Nursery
14447 E Tokay Colony Rd
Lodi, California 95240
(209) 639-4028
Open Thursday – Monday 9am – 4pm
Make it a weekend
Lodi is definitely one of our favorite under-the-radar weekend getaways! Book a room at Wine and Roses – and be sure to check out the adjacent Lodi Regional Tasting Room, especially if this is your first time in the area. Then, spend the weekend exploring local wineries, tasting olive oil, shopping at some of the state’s best farm stands and enjoying farm-to-table food at local, family-owned restaurants.
Get crafty! Try these succulent DIYs at home
Pumpkin Succulents
If you’re in the Lodi area, sign up for one of Crystal’s pumpkin succulent workshops! Can’t make the trip? We’ll show you how to make your very own pumpkin succulent at home!
Succulent Fountain
Inspired by the gorgeous succulent fountain at Star Succulent Nursery? Here’s how to create your own!
California Succulent Planter
Show your state pride with this creative planter in the shape of our favorite state.
Succulent Holiday Wreath
Celebrate the season with this gorgeous holiday wreath, adorned with dried citrus rounds, succulents, nuts and fresh greenery.
Article and photography by Hilary Rance.