UK Seasonal Maintenance Calendar
· Mat Havelock
| Season | Actions Required | Genus-Specific Care |
|---|---|---|
|
Spring (March–May) |
• Clear away dead winter leaves and debris. • Top up decorative horticultural pot grit. • Gradually increase watering as temperatures rise. • Move over-wintered plants back outside late May. |
• Sempervivum: Pull away dry, papery bottom leaves to prevent pests. • Sedum: Apply the "Chelsea Chop" to upright types in late May. • Aeonium: Apply a balanced liquid feed as they wake up. |
|
Summer (June–August) |
• Water thoroughly only when soil is bone-dry. • Protect vulnerable plants during intense heatwaves. • Take stem, leaf, and pup cuttings. • Snip out dead flower stalks. |
• Echeveria: Water soil directly; never leave pooled water in the rosette center. • Aeonium: Enter partial summer dormancy; reduce watering during heatwaves. • Agave: Snip off dangerous leaf points near high-traffic paths. |
|
Autumn (Sept–Nov) |
• Reduce watering heavily; allow plants to harden off. • Clean greenhouse glass or cold frames. • Bring tender plants indoors before the first frost. • Erect temporary rain shelters for ground plants. |
• Echeveria / Aeonium: Bring indoors to a bright windowsill by mid-October. • Sedum: Cut back faded, structureless deciduous flower heads. • Agave: Ensure shelter is secure against heavy autumn gales. |
|
Winter (Dec–Feb) |
• Do not water outdoor succulents. • Check pot drainage holes are free of ice or grit blockages. • Check indoor over-wintering plants for pests. • Brush heavy snow off structural rosettes. |
• Sempervivum: Leave completely alone; they tolerate sub-zero frosts easily. • Agave: Monitor for black spots caused by winter wet; dry out if needed. • Echeveria / Aeonium: Water sparingly indoors once a month at most. |
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