How to Build a Cacti and Succulent Garden with Sucs for You!

(◕ᴗ◕✿) Watch and learn as I expand my succulent and cacti garden in Houston, Texas! I didn't think it was possible due to our rain and bizarro weather, but I was determined to give it a try and look at me now!
I hope this video inspires you to find a space to xeriscape, even if it's just a couple of feet wide to start like mine was. After this addition, it will be 9 feet wide :)
A quick list of the materials you'll see in this video: Pumice, porous ceramic soil conditioner/Turface, expanded shale, river rocks; check out the Supplies page at sucsforyou.com for more information and where I get them.
**For all the identifications of the plants seen in this video, check out the following video here: • Succulent and Cactus I...
For more backstory on this space and progress shots check out this post on my website here: sucsforyou.com/2018/03/07/sfyc...
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Future video ideas, input, or questions? Please drop them in the comment area below!
✿ The Succulent Manual: A Guide to Care and Repair for All Climates - learn more about it: sucsforyou.com/thesucculentma...
Paperback: sucsforyou.com/2ndEditionAMZ
✿ About- Sucs For You! Featuring demonstrations of how to propagate and care for succulents and cacti, and other tips on working with these beautiful plants in challenging climates. With Andrea Afra, based out of Houston, Texas, Garden Zone 9A.
✿ Supplies I use: sucsforyou.com/supplies/ (and on my Amazon shop www.amazon.com/shop/sucsforyou )
✿ Grow light: Mars Hydro SP 150 - a-fwd.to/76yjVkh
✿ Support SFY! Buy gorgeous succulents online from my referral link!
-US residents: Very affordable succulents shipped fast to your door from Mountain Crest Gardens - mountaincrestgardens.com?aff=5
-Looking for quality succulent seeds? Shop: unusualseeds.net/
✿ Help me help you! If my tips and advice have been of value to you, you can leave me a tip via Paypal, Venmo, or sign up to be a monthly supporter on Patreon! sucsforyou.com/support/
✿ Check out the 'Get Help' page to learn how I can help you help your plants sucsforyou.com/helpmesfy/
✿ Read about care tips, my dirt recipe and more at: sucsforyou.com
✿ Follow me elsewhere!
-Instagram: / sucsforyou
-Facebook Sucs Talk group: / sucsforyou
-Facebook page: / sucsforyou
-Flickr: flickr.com/photos/sucsforyoupics
Some product links may be referrals that help support Sucs for You- thank you!

[@angierazor2268]

I’m so glad I found this video! I’m in Oklahoma and want to build a succulent garden too. I love succulents! Thank you for sharing.

[@SucsForYou]

You are so welcome!

[@josiereyna864]

Thank you ! I have finally found someone that is from Houston Texas ! I’m from Houston and I totally understand what you mean by weather changes down here !

[@amindaleblanc6961]

Fred Ives are my ultimate favorite!! Looks beautiful. Good luck with winter. Fingers crossed

[@SucsForYou]

Same! They're my favorite 'rosette' succulents. I've moved twice since this video and haven't rebuilt an outdoor garden here yet... so much easier to just move hundreds of pots, right?! 🤣

[@terrizimmerman5297]

It’s beautiful. I live in the Phoenix metro. MOST of those plants wouldn’t make it in our heat and intense sun. Agaves, sticks on fire, and cacti are about it.

[@Roonitochka]

I'm just watching your videos because you're so passionate about your plants. It's as if I'm sharing it with you. Just a joy to watch! Thank you! *positive plant vibes* :D

[@SucsForYou]

Thank YOU!!!

[@johnzabik270]

I live in San Antonio Texas and I am doing the same thing in my backyard. I started to plant catus and succulents outside in certain parts of my backyard. I was amazed that the succulents survived the winter time as well as the catus. In fact the succulents are growing huge. So check out my backyard project videos and look for upcoming succulents and catus projects.

[@izabelaszydlowska3940]

Absolutely stunning! And I love the instructional format of this video. I find it inspiring and I learned some great pointers for expanding my sempervivum garden :) Thank your for posting this!

[@SucsForYou]

Thank you Iza! I'm glad it all made sense :D And I think a semp garden would be awesome if I could keep them alive outdoors here- they do not like the heat and humidity combo here but I'm not giving up forever ;) Good luck with yours!!!

[@apu_bandaral_shweier2665]

I can only say WOW

[@margaritafitzgerald8787]

That looks fantastic! Nice job. You're giving me some great ideas for my yard. Been in our house for 16 years, re did the landscape 10 years ago and now it's time for a revamp. Definitely adding some more cacti to our cacti garden and lots of gorgeous succulents as well.

[@SucsForYou]

Thank you! I'm over hear chanting for you... "Do IT! Do IT!!" I'd love to see someday :) Find me on IG or FB - links in all the video descriptions to where you can send pics

[@jayashreedutta4980]

thank you so much for taking interest and help. Yes i too have few internet site to suggest planting but none to have a bed like you have done. Wouldn't like to risk the plants. i now have quite a collection which I hold very close to my heart. So may be will try something of a shade

[@SucsForYou]

You're welcome! Definitely don't try this on plants that are special to you! Better to experiment on types that are cheap and easy to replace :)

[@kathygilbreath6073]

Gorgeous garden!! Great inspiration!! Thank you!!

[@deathcoredonna]

Awesome garden!

[@SucsForYou]

Thank you!

[@deathcoredonna]

@@SucsForYou I'm in Melbourne, Australia. I'm hoping to start my own cacti garden sometime this year and your video has helped me with how to prepare the soil, so thank you 😁🌵💜

[@stephaniemacinnis1554]

Came across this video and start laughing…Only because I feel we are both on the same train of thought regarding these plants and TX weather. I too live in Houston/Katy, TX and big a fan of succulents and cacti and have been experimenting for a couple of years with these plants outdoors, but they all have been in pots and could be easily sheltered if needed. This year I decided to plant the plants that survived Harvey (we flooded) and the freeze into the ground this spring. I have just finished two flowerbeds of different arrangements of Agave, succulents and cacti with companion perennials. Hoping for the best with our crazy weather and have precautions set up to combat our heat this summer. Thank you for sharing. Great video!

[@SucsForYou]

Stephanie - I'm so sorry you flooded!!! I hope things are getting back to normal for you... I would LOVE to see your photos - you can join our group on FB here if you'd like!! Lots of other locals too!! facebook.com/groups/sucsforyou/

[@stephaniemacinnis1554]

No worries. We are getting there. Great! I will check the FB out and post some pics of my "kiddos" plants.

[@mahinahsan8363]

Sucs For You! U

[@thesteven0859]

Thank You for the lovely video and the exciting overview or tour. Hope to get in touch soon. You are an amazing person. Working the garden can get you a nice TAn!!.

[@user-zn8rw8eg2d]

Really needed this video. I also live in Houston, and had been considering a outside succulent garden but was concerned

[@carlarae6212]

Love your new garden space!

[@SucsForYou]

Thank you Carla Rae!

[@johnzabik270]

Excellent job... keep up the good work..👍

[@SucsForYou]

Thanks a lot 😊!

[@kimjerue6599]

I am your BIGGEST fan .. you rock CHICK.. your so fun and uplifting, just what we need today.. keep on keeping on I have learned SOO much from you in a week I can’t wait for more.

[@jaydescott8737]

Gorgeous

[@noemischmidt1152]

What a beautiful outdoor succulents and cacti garden, thanks for sharing the video. Really it's very helpful and now I may want to experiment in my garden and try this excellent idea of yours.

[@SucsForYou]

Thank you Noemi!

[@vcrmia]

Very nice video! Great job! I'm looking forward to more!

[@evilbetty3]

Looks awesome! I'm inspired.

[@SucsForYou]

Thank you!! That's all I want to hear :D

[@kellyross4801]

Thanks for this! I live between you and SA and wondered about succulents and cacti in the humidity...

[@lauraarmenta1250]

Awww I really loved it! You did an amazing job! 😍👏👏👏

[@SucsForYou]

Hi Laura!! Thank you thank you!! 😍

[@pattivermeersch7348]

Really enjoyed this video…love your succulent garden and how it was planted…thanks😁

[@raydenzidane6]

Andrea that was an awesome video,so many great tips! As for your garden,I love it,the plant selection,the brick background, most of all the natural look,like a shot out of a natural setting. ( my favorite look) Cant wait for more!😁

[@SucsForYou]

Thanks Ray! I just added a video of the IDs of everybody here :)

[@natekapustka7385]

This has been the most incredibly helpful video ever. Thank you so so much :)

[@SucsForYou]

You're so welcome!

[@rithiktonk1900]

Beautiful...❤️

[@dannaparks656]

I live in North Louisiana..Minden,La. We have temps and rains similar to Houston. I have recently started a succulent/rock garden. Your videos are very helpful! Thanks 🦎🌵🌱

[@SucsForYou]

Thank you, Danna! That's awesome!! Feel free to join our FB group and show off pics of your garden! I'd love to see it :) facebook.com/groups/sucsforyou/

[@amandamunoz7519]

Very nice arrangement!! You do have a great space. I’m starting a third succulent/fairy garden real soon! Time to rotate some of my older succs to another space! Good luck and yes enjoy your garden🤗

[@jadestar1580]

Very nice. I like how you built up the areas. Thank you for the video.

[@SucsForYou]

Thank you Jade! It was a lot of fun!

[@garywilson9081]

really nice garden, thanks for sharing

[@rowp8604]

Love it😍😍😍

[@SucsForYou]

HEY ROW! Thank you my friend!!!

[@lazyeeore]

Thank you for showing how you amended that soil. Maybe I could do something like it in the future! My patio faces west👏🏻❤️🌵🌵🌵

[@SucsForYou]

You're welcome! You should definitely give it a go!

[@hanaleidesigns8539]

Great succulent garden. I just starter my collection last summer, I hope I can try that this summer, but I will have to be in long wide planters (I’m a renter) but I do have the perfect conditions here in central Cali, it’s hot 🥵 and very dry in the summer. Thanks for all the helpful info your videos provide, I watch every one ☺️. Can’t wait to see more video plantings in your new house 🤗. 😍💜🌸🌺

[@SucsForYou]

Thank you! You're going to have a ton of fun with large planters I'm sure - enjoy them!

[@navidjan4628]

beautiful

[@elsaestrada-morales8604]

Great ideas!🙏🏽😊

[@SucsForYou]

Thank you! 😊

[@RoseBudSavona]

I love the cactus on the ground...you doing well my dear...

[@sonorasenora5911]

I really like your creation...going to try in Idaho...oh boy

[@auroracuevas7476]

I love it so cute

[@SucsForYou]

Thank you Aurora! 🌵🌵

[@rootsnurserycapecod4564]

You Are Great... thanks for sharing...

[@SolidGoldShows]

Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed your video

[@christineoberg7302]

Hi Andrea,I love your new tapestry garden. I’m glad you brought your plants out doors.Do you think Fred is a little leggy can you cut him back and save the pup? And are you afraid of rabbits eating them. I just moved from Illinois to Arizona and rabbits are feasting on my succulents.Any Suggestions.

[@TLCpetslakeland]

Great video, I put one in ground in Central Florida last year and loving it. Trial and error .😊

[@SucsForYou]

Awesome! That's the best we can do!

[@josefinaperez369]

What did you use?? I’m trying in Florida too

[@btcapri]

This garden is gorgeous! I've always wanted to create an in ground succulent garden, but I live in NJ, so it'd be a bit difficult with the dreadful winters here lol

[@SucsForYou]

Thank you! And I can't imagine the winters up there... I get cold just thinking about it!

[@headlinesendtimes9682]

Love it love it, I have an area in my back yard that has an adult Nopal plant, I think Im going to do mine in that area

[@SucsForYou]

YES!! That's a great sign that the Nopal is doing well there - GO. FOR. IT!!!!

[@barbarachandler4430]

I Love it, your cacti are so cute. I; going to plant prickly pears I have had the for 4 years. I feel like Im sending my babies off to the cruel world. I live in the northeast, we get cold, snow, ice. But they will winter over. We can't buy it here, an invasive plant, I live on 1 1/4 acre, it will take a long time to invade anywhere. Thanks for your video, Oh Sucs for you, lol

[@SucsForYou]

Good luck Barbara! I know there are a few Opuntias (prickly pears) that are native to that area and do great! Okay - Opuntia humifusa is the only one I can think of from the top of my head but they have lovely yellow flowers :)

[@katk.8751]

Thank you I really needed this video. I'm in zone 7a, 7b. Which really isnt for succs but I wanna try for early spring to late fall and maybe bring em inside for the winter. I have a mini greenhouse. I have a garden doing nothing. This will be great to try out. Thank you so much.

[@SucsForYou]

You're welcome! Look into cold frame tunnels or some easy 'pop' up protection - there's a chance certain varieties can stay outdoors if kept dry and warmish ;)

[@katk.8751]

@@SucsForYou I setup a thermostat in my greenhouse. It's a small greenhouse only 5x6x7. Thank you. Will look into them.

[@Cerriscapades]

Ohhh, I'm a silent watcher (been subbed for quite a while now) but I'm finally breaking my silence on your channel cause I'm so excited that you're xeriscaping now!

[@SucsForYou]

Thank you for watching and now saying these nice things! I've been working up a plan to make this video for a long time now - I'm so glad I finally got it done :)

[@JorgeGarcia-sr5gs]

Me encanta ojalá algún día tenga un jardín así pero solo con cactus

[@SucsForYou]

Los cactus son mis favoritos, ¡así que empiezas bien!

[@stevenrix7277]

I was browsing youtube for some advice on growing cactii/sucs and found your channel. i live in zone 8B near Austin TX but i have been reluctant putting my sucs outdoors due to frost conditions, but well I am going to try it though ; )

[@SucsForYou]

Give it a whirl! Pay attention to what people have in the ground in your area -- and check out @og_agave on Instagram - in your hood and doing amazing things!

[@AriellaKK]

You outdid yourself on this these. You don't have easy conditions for an outdoor garden like this. But you have definitely improved the odds quite a bit with the materials you used. I would love to have a similar garden in the future. It probably gets colder where I am in the winter. I also have the heat, humidity, and the constant weather changes. I hope to see future videos on these gardens. I'd like to see what how you protect the plants, and which ones made it etc... Great job, and it is absolutely stunning to see.

[@SucsForYou]

Thanks so much Kelly! I recently pulled the E. peacockii out after a lot of rain. It wasn't happy there. So far the others are doing well! But the sun is getting pretty strong so I try to remember to block the group of Echeveria w/ a mesh lawn chair for some shade on the hot hot days lol. We'll see how they do over the next two months when the heat is really on-- elimination round :p

[@AriellaKK]

Sad to hear about E. peacockii. I am glad to hear the others have managed so far. Yes, please do a future video on the gardens. It doesn't have to be a long one, unless you want it to be. I will enjoy it either way!

[@cynthiacisneros1694]

Nice❣️

[@lalop123]

Your mammillaria look amazing! They're so tall and beautiful! Mine are still small. But they're pushing through this winter weather. I wish I could ground plant mine, but I'm moving soon. So I have to eventually pack all my plant babies and take them with me. I just hope they don't fall out their pots and spill dirt all over my car

[@SucsForYou]

Ugh- I don't envy you having to move your plants -- not sure how many you have or how far you have to go -- I hope you all land safely and have enough time in one spot to watch them grow for a while :)

[@SewEasyCreations]

Love it, your arrangements are so pretty. I saw that cute little lizard shoot across the wall at about 12:33 he's really fast! I"m a fairly new subscriber and I get so much out of your videos, thank you!

[@SucsForYou]

Thank you so much!!! Ah hahah I didn't notice that lizard!! Great eye!!!

[@50shadesofrust65]

Beautiful garden I only have 6 plants now but I just got started in Sept located in New Mexico

[@SucsForYou]

Thank you! Report back in a year w/ your plant count update lol!

[@helpfultips39]

Wow you are brave not wearing gloves working with cactuses! Great video. Thank you.

[@TropicalPlantAddict]

Great video! It’s not suitable here in the UK for an outside succulent garden but I’m planning on creating a mini one for inside 🌵💚🌿

[@SucsForYou]

That will be so fun!!

[@tomzifer927]

Looks good. I wonder if there is a wood component between the house foundation and the brick wall. Any soil in contact with that interface can cause problems down the road.

[@Laschicasdehoy]

Hi !! I live in East tx ! How do u protect your garden from rain ,snow etc ?

[@pipsmith5767]

Sorensia Bruchii (grows the size of a soccer ball)-is a great species as are Echinocereus -they tolerate damp and cold better than most. You should be able to grow many species of Echinocereus and Opuntia where you are.

[@SucsForYou]

Opuntias do great here! Thanks for the tip about the E. bruchii - looks very cool!

[@pipsmith5767]

@@SucsForYou I live in a much colder and wetter climate than you and S Bruchii grows outside all year under an overhang mine has taken -11c with high humidity/moisture. The following summer had masses of "hand sized" cerise flowers

[@havefunbesafe]

Flood country!! Good lu k.

[@jayashreedutta4980]

simply enjoyed the video and getting tempted to start one. But am wondering if it will be possible in my location.

[@SucsForYou]

Thanks! Where are you located?

[@matthewturnbull9547]

Really nice garden I’d love to do this but I’m not sure we have the climate for this type of garden in north east England

[@SucsForYou]

I'm pretty sure you don't :/ I guess you're going to need a big greenhouse! :D

[@faridehkarimi5350]

Hi 👋 very nice I have got some of cactus 🌵 in my house Could you let me know what can I do with rain 🌧

[@RafaelLopez-fj1en]

Looks amazing! Am in the process of doing my desert landscape are any of those plants cold hardy? Cause am from oklahoma and the weather is crazy!

[@SucsForYou]

The sedums can be hardy and the big Opuntia... look around your neighborhood/town and see what is doing well there :)

[@sergiomariscal7115]

Hi Thank you for sharing, ur garden looks awesome! I'm in LA, Cali. and I want to transplant my cacti from pots to ground, I found you and I'm glad I did, you explained everything well and easy to understand. Got the perlite sand and rocks part but Now what kind of dirt do you have or reccomend for throwing on the ground? Thank you

[@SucsForYou]

Hi! You can just use top soil - sounds like you're off to a great start!

[@sergiomariscal7115]

@@SucsForYou Thank you very much!! I can hear you loud and clear using my earbuds. Stay safe

[@vizcayaclark6951]

Thank u so much for this video. I love succulents and cacti and have been hesitating about placing them in the ground due to the rain and heat here in Florida. Did u have soil in this section already???

[@SucsForYou]

Thank you Vizcaya! There was dirt in the bed and I just added a bunch of good drainage materials to what was already there. Watch the update because I learned a lot about what plants worked and who didn't bc of the rain and heat :)

[@Onlinesully]

it's a really nice idea I guess climate makes it possible only in some countries ?

[@mariakalamaki6200]

Doesn`t grow wild grass under or between the stones? Grass grows every where in winter. Thanks from Greece!

[@SucsForYou]

Not too bad! Mainly between the pavers lining the bed.

[@lunaturquezalr]

Can you make an update of your garden? 😬 please !! 🤗 I’m from Houston too and I want to make my cactus garden 🥰

[@SucsForYou]

I moved so I no longer have this garden :/

[@angiem3860]

You're amazing I live about 8 hrs south of where you're at. I really want to try something like this I might have missed it but what way is this wall facing?

[@SucsForYou]

Thanks Angie! This faces west and gets pretty full sun for 6-8 hours depending on the season

[@angiem3860]

Sucs For You! Thank you I have a west facing wall but I'm so worried and them crisping up during the summer

[@ShadowNight-kt3dz]

What’s the variety of euphorbia you have in the ground? How did it fair in the cold, and did your protect it? I love euphorias, but I don’t know if any that do well in my zone 9 Louisiana garden. They normally don’t make our winters

[@SucsForYou]

Euphorbia trigona rubra - they're up against my house so they get a bit more warmth and protection from wind/rain but yes, I would cover them if the temps threatened to drop too close to freezing :)

[@dawnpleasant2319]

I'm excited about this because it means I may be able to do this as well in my zone. What is the name of that amazing opuntia that's in the back to the right? I've never seen one with that pad shape.

[@SucsForYou]

Yay! That's what I wanted to hear! I didn't think I would have much luck but with trial and error and error and trial... we did it haha! The big dudes are Opuntia tuna I believe :)

[@dawnpleasant2319]

I'm going to have to find one of those! Thanks!

[@Shetriesitdiy]

Hi I live in Miami Florida and my garden keeps flooding, what do you suggest I do to keep it the flooding from happening?

[@SucsForYou]

You'll probably need to build up the bed so it's several inches above ground level

[@ethelbaste7300]

Wow! You inspire me to do this in my vacant space...need to buy more pumice. Can i mix lava rocks too?

[@SucsForYou]

Awesome! And yes-I have the larger red lava rocks in here too from the first phases of the garden before I found the rest of the drainage materials. Turface and expanded shale are easier to find and more cost effective than pumice for the main amendments- save the pumice for filling holes around the roots where it really counts! I have links to help you find all 3 here: sucsforyou.com/supplies/

[@ethelbaste7300]

Thank you so much!

[@marjxowisno]

How do you keep the weeds from growing in your in-ground garden?

[@SucsForYou]

Pluck 'em :)

[@bluesmavin]

How did you protect during the freeze/ did it work/

[@SucsForYou]

I covered everything with a bunch of blankets :) It worked pretty well!! I wish I could have kept it drier... next time I'll throw a tarp over all of the blankets.

[@lettyrodrz9940]

Thank you for this video, but do you get any weeds in there since you did not use a weed cover?

[@SucsForYou]

This is an old video and I moved to a new house but I don't recall weeds being a problem.

[@steventhorkelsen6478]

Where’s the best place around Houston to buy succulents or cactus?

[@SucsForYou]

Check this out :) sucsforyou.com/where-to-buy-succulents/

[@jayashreedutta4980]

I am from India located at Kolkata, the eastern side of the country near Bay of Bengal

[@jayashreedutta4980]

am worried about the rainy season for planting them outside.

[@SucsForYou]

I understand! Looks like zone 10-12. Yes, you should worry lol - plan out a way to cover them from the rain and elevate the growing bed before you do anything else. Focus on varieties that would do well in more tropical environments like Aloes, Kalanchoes, the 'jungle' cactus varieties of pitaya - even some caudexes! Try to find nearby growers on Instagram and facebook to see what all they're growing then go for it! I have a friend on KZbin from India who also makes videos- I'll find their link... I know it's a massive country but I think it could be helpful to connect w/ locals to find what successfully grows there already :) - Ady Garden - here: kzbin.info/door/DHCzOOTDGBlghc3cNbjO6g

[@jayashreedutta4980]

Thanks for you mail. Yes, i have kalanchoes, adenium, aloes which are kept outside and have made arrangements to cover them during rainy season. The rest of the small sucs are in the balcony along with orchids where i hope will be fine. With temperature reaching 37℃ right now to increase further, i have put curtains which i draw after an hour's sunlight in the morning. Its really tough to maintain such plants here, but am struggling.

[@gniks999]

I am from India, I liked your videos so much about cacti and succulents. it was all informative, I want one video from you to cover description of all the succulents and cacti species give some little info about them. so, people may get idea about which variety of species they have or they might want to purchase. because i m living in India many of the species you shown on your videos are not available in nurseries. thanking you in advance, plz look forward making this video or if you have any plz send the link. :)

[@SucsForYou]

That is a good idea but the video would have to be 2 days long 😂 There are SO many genera and species... here's my favorite site for IDs llifle.com/

[@gniks999]

@@SucsForYou Yeah i know but at least in parts you can make 😃

[@fredb2129]

just ordered some stuff from mountain crest hope you get credit for that also can you stop by for the unboxing would love to meet you

[@fredb2129]

can you come to florida help me with my garden

[@SucsForYou]

Maybe I'll do a demo tour someday :) Our climates are very similar!!

[@fredb2129]

yes they are

[@johnzabik270]

You have to be careful of firesticks they are toxic

[@kaldoonkaldoon1713]

I hope to add the Arabic translation to the video clips. In order to benefit from them.

[@SucsForYou]

Shukran!! That would be amazing!!!

[@NoOneHere2Day]

Use BBQ thongs to hold the spiky cactus in place.

[@sophgonz]

Va