Hot Stuff Blog

Drought Smart Plants - Quenching Thirsty Gardens since 2002!

Learn how to garden with nature instead of against it by choosing plants that love to be dry, using hardy succulents like Sedum, Sempervivum and Jovibarba for Xeric Gardens, Dry Patios and Green Roofs.

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May 21, 2013

Lewisia - alpine plant as a companion for hardy succulents

Lewisia, or bitterroot is a hardy alpine plant that makes a perfect companion for succulents in a rockery or combined in a hypertufa trough...

Continue reading "Lewisia - alpine plant as a companion for hardy succulents"

May 21, 2013

Saxifraga - fragile yet tough alpine plant

Saxifraga is a huge genus of tough little alpine plants well known by rock garden enthusiasts and hypertufa artists alike...

Continue reading "Saxifraga - fragile yet tough alpine plant"

May 21, 2013

Sedum cauticola; lovely blue foliage on short stems perfect for green roofs

Sedum cauticola (also known as Sedum cauticolum) is a lovely short stemmed and low growing stonecrop with blue foliage and hot pink blooms

Continue reading "Sedum cauticola; lovely blue foliage on short stems perfect for green roofs"

May 20, 2013

Succulent Crafts - mosaics, tapestries, topiaries and more

Build your Succulent Crafts to decorate your garden; choose from Sempervivum mosaics, succulent topiaries and much more

Continue reading "Succulent Crafts - mosaics, tapestries, topiaries and more"

May 19, 2013

zinnia leaves in distress

We planted zinnias (from pots) into our garden about three weeks ago, early May. We had two cold nights, but we covered all the zinnias well to prevent

Continue reading "zinnia leaves in distress"

May 19, 2013

Hypertufa - playing with mud

Use Hypertufa to create some unusual garden crafts and unique rustic planters to display planted with your favorite tiny hardy succulents, or alpines...

Continue reading "Hypertufa - playing with mud"

May 18, 2013

Sempervivum Globe - if it's round, plant it with hens and chicks

Plant a wire garden sphere with hens and chicks for a gorgeous Sempervivum Globe; choose from two hanging baskets wired together, or find a complete wire globe...

Continue reading "Sempervivum Globe - if it's round, plant it with hens and chicks"

May 18, 2013

Succulent Sphere; wire garden spheres filled with succulents - how lovely!

Make a Succulent Sphere; make your own globes or orbs planted with Sempervivum & succulents for a unique garden craft; simple to make and plant, these are jaw dropping crafts to display in your garden

Continue reading "Succulent Sphere; wire garden spheres filled with succulents - how lovely!"

May 18, 2013

Thick Fleshy Yellow-Green Leaves with Hanging Branches

I brought this plant home during an office move (they were getting rid of all the old plants). I haven't had any luck identifying it, other than knowing

Continue reading "Thick Fleshy Yellow-Green Leaves with Hanging Branches"

May 18, 2013

Succulent that kind of looks like a giant jade plant

Got this plant from a friend who got it from a local plant shop in NYC. The leaves are large, green, tear-drop shaped, waxy and somewhat fleshy (photo

Continue reading "Succulent that kind of looks like a giant jade plant"

May 18, 2013

Sempervivum tectorum - hens and chicks species

Sempervivum tectorum are the common houseleeks or hens and chicks; but they're so much more than common

Continue reading "Sempervivum tectorum - hens and chicks species"

May 18, 2013

Terracotta Clay Pots - my favorite containers for succulents

Terracotta Clay Pots have many benefits for your succulents; heavy enough to keep them upright in a windstorm, porous for air exchange, and beautiful

Continue reading "Terracotta Clay Pots - my favorite containers for succulents"

May 16, 2013

Sedum niveum - adorable and tiny stonecrop species

Sedum niveum is a delicate appearing but surprisingly tough little plant, but such a little charmer that you just have to have it...

Continue reading "Sedum niveum - adorable and tiny stonecrop species"

May 16, 2013

Need help identifying this plant

My friend has this beautiful succulent. She says she has it in this color and green. Can somebody please tell me what plant this is? Many thanks. Mala

Continue reading "Need help identifying this plant"

May 15, 2013

Ask the Horticulturist - go on, ask me your question about plants!

Ask the Horticulturist your questions about plants and gardening; if you have a query about a plant problem here is the place to ask; yes, I am a Certified Horticulturist

Continue reading "Ask the Horticulturist - go on, ask me your question about plants!"

May 15, 2013

My mystery plant

I got this plant from a neighbour. In the picture it is upright but it actually grows along the ground and in the spring it has lime green flower-like

Continue reading "My mystery plant"

May 14, 2013

Sad kalanchoe

Hi! Okay, so I have a pretty sad kalanchoe thyrsiflora plant and I'm not sure why. It's getting lots of light and I rarely water it. It's in a cactus

Continue reading "Sad kalanchoe"

May 14, 2013

Best Succulent Containers - patio planters, deck pots & mixed succulents

The Best Succulent Containers are textural, lush and overflowing with a wide selection of healthy succulent plants; get ideas here...

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May 14, 2013

Window succulents

Made the container for the succulents out of chair rail border and scrap wood.

Continue reading "Window succulents"

May 13, 2013

Unknown plant

Hi, I have this plant and I have no idea what it is. If anyone could shed some light that would be fantastic. It's looking a little worse for wear so I'm

Continue reading "Unknown plant"

May 12, 2013

Again not a succulent but...

Hey Jacki, I have this little guy that I got from ikea. It's has small leaves on chubby and juicy pink stems that seem to crawl horizontally rather than

Continue reading "Again not a succulent but..."

May 11, 2013

Succulent Identification Solved; the puzzling mystery

Succulent Identification Solved; the puzzling mystery of these plants identity is solved, and they now have a name; this is the best way to find out how to take care of them...

Continue reading "Succulent Identification Solved; the puzzling mystery"

May 11, 2013

More Succulent Identification Solved; the puzzling mystery

More Succulent Identification Solved; the puzzling mystery of these plants identity is solved, and they now have a name; this is the best way to find out how to take care of them...

Continue reading "More Succulent Identification Solved; the puzzling mystery"

May 09, 2013

Water Conservation - our most precious resource - use it wisely

Water Conservation; a precious resource which we have to use wisely by growing succulents and drought tolerant plants in our xeriscape gardens

Continue reading "Water Conservation - our most precious resource - use it wisely"

May 09, 2013

Unidentified Succulent from Ikea

I got this little succulent from ikea a few days ago. The label just says succulent. It looks similar to some of the categories on here but I'm not completely

Continue reading "Unidentified Succulent from Ikea"

May 09, 2013

Debra Lee Baldwin has a new book!

This book has been awaited for a while now; and it's finally here!

See all the latest news from Debra, including a free event - if you're anywhere near Waterwise Botanicals in North San Diego County put June 7 & 8 on your calendar.

Continue reading "Debra Lee Baldwin has a new book!"

May 08, 2013

Jade plant roots problem (?)

Hello, I bought my Jade plant from eBay around 2 months ago. My jade plant was doing really well on my south- west window sill but recently leaves turned

Continue reading "Jade plant roots problem (?)"

May 07, 2013

Growing BIG and falling!! Help!

I have managed to keep this plant alive and thriving but as you can see one plant (unidentifiable by me) is falling over. I'm afraid I'm about to lose

Continue reading "Growing BIG and falling!! Help!"

May 07, 2013

Pedilanthus macrocarpus

Pedilanthus macrocarpus

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May 07, 2013

Heart and ?

Hanging plant. Small Dark Green leaves. Very small bloom similar in shape to a Dianthus. This is the non-variegated form of Aptenia; this little plant

Continue reading "Heart and ?"

May 07, 2013

Snail Attack!

Will my annuals survive after snail attack? Hi Anna, it totally depends what kinds of plants, and how much damage they've done. If you don't deal with

Continue reading "Snail Attack!"

May 06, 2013

Christmas cactus

We moved from mi to co n my cactus is slowly dying I only water once a week. But I need help it was my mom s before she passed I need more information!

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May 06, 2013

greenbean like

the plant hanging over on the right side of the grill looks kinda like green beans The plant hanging center, purple leaves red flowers. can you give

Continue reading "greenbean like"

May 05, 2013

Wildflowers - drought tolerant hardy perennials

Planting Wildflowers in your garden gives you the opportunity of growing and enjoying some of the most drought tolerant perennial plants

Continue reading "Wildflowers - drought tolerant hardy perennials"

May 05, 2013

my poor bonsai:( Help!

I've been growing a bonsai tree for about a year. It needed a bigger pot so I transferred it unaware that there weren't any drain holes in the new planter.

Continue reading "my poor bonsai:( Help!"

May 05, 2013

Aloe ,done?

Hello Jacki whatshall i do with this aloe now, i had it for a couple of years, with the same regime of water and fertilisers, is it done??? thanx Amjad

Continue reading "Aloe ,done?"

May 05, 2013

unidenitfied pinkish leafy succlent plant

About the size of a quater, pinkish tinted leaves. growing zone 6, growing it indoors. its a succulent drought resistant plant. not sure of the name of

Continue reading "unidenitfied pinkish leafy succlent plant"

May 04, 2013

Mystery plant in Michigan

No clue Hi Shannon, just to clarify, are those leaves (the bright green) part of this plant? If so, it looks as though it's some kind of bulb, but the

Continue reading "Mystery plant in Michigan "

May 04, 2013

Kalanchoe plant is leaning forward

My Kalanchoe plant i have in a pot on my terrace was growing straight when i got it. It is now start to turn forward a lot growing that way. Is my

Continue reading "Kalanchoe plant is leaning forward"

May 04, 2013

Not a Peperomia ‘Amigo Green Split’ after all! So what is this plant?

About a year ago I posted pics of a plant I found at Safeway that was identified as succulent with no other information. It was in a tiny pot and was quite

Continue reading "Not a Peperomia ‘Amigo Green Split’ after all! So what is this plant?"

May 04, 2013

Please help me identify this plant ?

Green with branches like a spider plant but at the end of each leaves they branch out into three. These interesting plants are not a succulent; in fact,

Continue reading "Please help me identify this plant ? "

May 03, 2013

Thick, full, pointed, semi-variegated leaves w/ long flowering stems

Thick, full, pointed, semi-variegated leaves w/ long flowering stems Hi Steve, wow, a variegated Haworthia? I've never seen that before. This cutie

Continue reading "Thick, full, pointed, semi-variegated leaves w/ long flowering stems"

May 03, 2013

what type of plant is BOB

it has long stringy leaves draping down over the table. it has a bulbs in the center of the pot sticking out from the ground. or laying on top of the ground!

Continue reading "what type of plant is BOB"

May 03, 2013

Orange Flowered Semi-succulent

This is a pretty plant and I'm not sure which variety it is. Asking for an ID. Has the waxy looking, firm, narrow, deeply dentated, THREE PART LEAF.

Continue reading "Orange Flowered Semi-succulent "

May 02, 2013

Succulent Tower; a craft for large spaces; great in a public display

If you've got lots of room, why not make a Succulent Tower? This incredible craft was designed and displayed by the horticulture team at Calgary Zoo...

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May 01, 2013

Buy Canadian Plants Online at the Garden Shop

Buy your Canadian Plants Online at the Garden Shop

Continue reading "Buy Canadian Plants Online at the Garden Shop"

Apr 30, 2013

Plants for Hummingbirds - attract flying jewels to your garden

Grow some of these best Plants for Hummingbirds in your garden, and draw in the flying jewels to visit and amuse with their flashing colors and bombastic activities...

Continue reading "Plants for Hummingbirds - attract flying jewels to your garden"

Apr 30, 2013

Groundcovers for Xeriscaping - my favorite low growing plants for dry gardens

Use these Groundcovers for Xeriscaping your xeriscape landscape. Low maintenance, drought tolerant low growing plants that stay compact and creeping...

Continue reading "Groundcovers for Xeriscaping - my favorite low growing plants for dry gardens"

Apr 30, 2013

Aloe Plants - quirky, spiky, splashed and speckled

Aloe Plants come in all shapes and sizes, splashed, speckled, striped and freckled

Continue reading "Aloe Plants - quirky, spiky, splashed and speckled"


Gardeners and Xeriscapers:
Add these guides to your library:

Buy the Succulent Plant Propagation E-Book
Buy the Xeriscaping with Succulents E-Book
Buy the Plant Pests E-Book

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Top Ten Myths about Succulents

Top Ten Myths about Succulents

Buy the Succulent Plant Propagation E-Book; Click on the picture:

Succulent Plant Propagation E-Boo

Relax...

...it's not contagious!

But if you notice some of these signs and symptoms, it might be too late for you; the succulent obsession has got you:

  • if you drool in the presence of succulent plants
  • find yourself spending hours talking to and admiring your new plants
  • learning all you can about how to grow them, prune them, propagate them, and photograph them takes over your life

you might have the obsession. 

Sorry, there's no cure except to add more plants to your collection!

Sempervivum

Sempervivum...

Sedum

Creeping Sedum

Sedum for Borders

...and Sedum for Borders

Never apologize:

It's a sign of weakness:

I don't apologize for my obsession with succulents - I've been growing them for many years, long before they became the most popular kind of garden plant; propagation is my passion...

Propagation is my passion

whether it's by seed:

Seed Propagation

by division:

Propagation by Division

or cuttings:

Sedum cuttings

I'll always be fascinated by making more of my favorite plants.

Looking for more inspiration on using these great plants in your garden?
Buy the book:

Buy the Xeriscaping with Succulents E-Book now...

Planning; dreaming; wishing...

Cactus Plants are tough and resilient

Combine with some rustic salvage;

Rustic Salvage to add an old fashioned ambiance to your garden

Combine in tasteful, yet unique ways:

Garden Design Ideas combine plants with the best qualities - drought resistance, color and long life

Are you obsessed yet?

Succulents are not going to go away, no matter what; find out more about the many types of succulents:

Types of Succulents

Having issues?  Ask the Horticulturist:

Ask the Horticulturist

Identify your Succulents:

Succulent Identification Chart

Learn How to Prune them:

How to Prune Succulents

And propagate them too:

Succulent Plant Propagation

Find Rocks:

Sempervivum love crevices

Choose Plants:

Hardy Succulents

Mix Well:

Xeric Gardens & Green Roofs

Water...

Water Capture

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