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Succulents Simplified: Growing, Designing, and Crafting with 100 Easy-Care Varieties
“Demystifies these popular low-water beauties.” —Country Gardens Magazine Whether you’re a novice or veteran, have an acre to fill or a just few pots, or live in Calexico or Canada, Succulents Simplified is a dazzling primer for success with succulents! Debra Lee Baldwin, the Queen of Succulents, profiles the 100 top plant picks and includes basic information on how to grow and care for succulents no matter where you live. Step-by-step projects, including a cake-stand centerpiece, special-occasion bouquets, a vertical garden, and a succulent topiary sphere, will inspire you to express your individual style.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 21, 2013
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360 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 9, 2016
Succulents are my new obsession. It started innocently enough after I dropped into a hipster thrift shop and found cute little succulents in tiny little pots for a couple of bucks each. So I got some, and then, any time I had an afternoon off, I'd drop in to see what was new. Now I'm hooked. I used to think I didn't like succulents, but I'd never realized the sheer variety, strangeness, beauty, and geometric artistry of some of these plants.
I picked up this book and a couple more from the library on a whim and read this one from cover to cover in an afternoon. The author pulled me in with her interesting anecdotes and beautiful pictures. I'd never thought before of pulling out the aquamarine tones of a succulent with a pot of a similar hue. And I'd certainly never considered making a framed wall hanging of succulents for a plant-needing wall, turning succulents into earrings, or super gluing moss and succulents to objects for decoration.
Beyond the artistry of arranging succulents, there are a few things in this book that I found very useful. The first was how to start new plants from cuttings. I wish I'd read this book about hardening cuttings before replanting so I'd not lost my baby toes. But, also, I was heartened by the list of beautiful succulents that do well in low-light areas. Hitherto now, my succulents have be relegated to my office window sill (luckily, a large window sill). But now I've got a list of ones I can grow in my far-too-dark house. Two other lists I appreciate are the list of trailing succulents because these are some of my favorites and the list of cutesy succulents like cat paws and the panda plant. There's also a guide of her favorite 100 succulents (with pictures) at the book's end.
I've certainly gained a new appreciation for a variety of succulents. It's not all prickly pear cactuses and yuccas out there like I used to think of when I thought of succulents. Quite a lot of the book makes me wish I lived in a climate that could more readily accommodate planting succulents outdoors because, while I love to plant and enjoy flowers outside, I don't always follow through with the upkeep when the weather gets insanely hot. And this makes succulents my type of outdoor plant. After reading this, I'm greatly tempted to go to the next meeting of my local succulent club chapter. There's so much that I don't know and so many varieties to discover. The plus of a succulent club is that people often bring cuttings to share when their plants need dividing. But, also, I'd be curious which succulents do well in our particular climate.
I picked up this book and a couple more from the library on a whim and read this one from cover to cover in an afternoon. The author pulled me in with her interesting anecdotes and beautiful pictures. I'd never thought before of pulling out the aquamarine tones of a succulent with a pot of a similar hue. And I'd certainly never considered making a framed wall hanging of succulents for a plant-needing wall, turning succulents into earrings, or super gluing moss and succulents to objects for decoration.
Beyond the artistry of arranging succulents, there are a few things in this book that I found very useful. The first was how to start new plants from cuttings. I wish I'd read this book about hardening cuttings before replanting so I'd not lost my baby toes. But, also, I was heartened by the list of beautiful succulents that do well in low-light areas. Hitherto now, my succulents have be relegated to my office window sill (luckily, a large window sill). But now I've got a list of ones I can grow in my far-too-dark house. Two other lists I appreciate are the list of trailing succulents because these are some of my favorites and the list of cutesy succulents like cat paws and the panda plant. There's also a guide of her favorite 100 succulents (with pictures) at the book's end.
I've certainly gained a new appreciation for a variety of succulents. It's not all prickly pear cactuses and yuccas out there like I used to think of when I thought of succulents. Quite a lot of the book makes me wish I lived in a climate that could more readily accommodate planting succulents outdoors because, while I love to plant and enjoy flowers outside, I don't always follow through with the upkeep when the weather gets insanely hot. And this makes succulents my type of outdoor plant. After reading this, I'm greatly tempted to go to the next meeting of my local succulent club chapter. There's so much that I don't know and so many varieties to discover. The plus of a succulent club is that people often bring cuttings to share when their plants need dividing. But, also, I'd be curious which succulents do well in our particular climate.
May 26, 2015
I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book through NetGalley.
This is a very complete reference book on succulents, which are very trendy right now. I am not a succulent wizard (as of yet!), but I have wanted to try my hand at growing some of the more common varieties in containers for a while, so I was happy to get my hands on this.
This book is extensively and gorgeously illustrated with photographs of succulents, which really got me excited at the idea of getting some in my life. It also has a plant variety "dictionary" at the end of the book, with full photographs, for later reference.
The book pays particular attention to designing succulent displays in containers, and how to consider elements of design like plant height and color. I have like zero eye for design, so I was very interested in this part. It also provides detailed how-tos for some of the hottest succulent plant uses, like the "living picture vertical garden," which has probably been re-pinned on Pinterest boards a million billion times.
I would have appreciated a bit more attention to be paid to how to care for succulents indoors, as I'm not sure how the care would differ, but this is a slight quibble.
Very recommended for those looking to get started with succulents!
This is a very complete reference book on succulents, which are very trendy right now. I am not a succulent wizard (as of yet!), but I have wanted to try my hand at growing some of the more common varieties in containers for a while, so I was happy to get my hands on this.
This book is extensively and gorgeously illustrated with photographs of succulents, which really got me excited at the idea of getting some in my life. It also has a plant variety "dictionary" at the end of the book, with full photographs, for later reference.
The book pays particular attention to designing succulent displays in containers, and how to consider elements of design like plant height and color. I have like zero eye for design, so I was very interested in this part. It also provides detailed how-tos for some of the hottest succulent plant uses, like the "living picture vertical garden," which has probably been re-pinned on Pinterest boards a million billion times.
I would have appreciated a bit more attention to be paid to how to care for succulents indoors, as I'm not sure how the care would differ, but this is a slight quibble.
Very recommended for those looking to get started with succulents!
May 6, 2013
What an amazingly informative book on succulents. The knowledge this book offers is fantastic! It is amazing the different things that she shows you can do with them. I am an avid gardener and love my cacti and succulents, but I never thought of some of the things she did with them! I am excited to try some of the different projects out and see how they come out.
Her photographs in the book are amazing too! She really captures the beauty of these plants. I loved her description of beautifully stressed succulents. A lot of people unfamiliar with succulents wouldn't understand why theirs look different than photographs but that one section helps sum it up! This book will be helpful to a novice gardener as well as an experienced one!
The first thing I am trying out is the succulent topiary!
I received an ARC copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
January 8, 2019
I was given this book as a Christmas present and thoroughly enjoyed it. My only gripe is that it strongly focuses on designing and crafting especially in larger landscapes rather than growing as a beginner starting from a seed, prop, or nursery pot.
I would also suggest reading and going through the third part of the book first to know what succulents she is referring to throughout the book.
I would also suggest reading and going through the third part of the book first to know what succulents she is referring to throughout the book.
March 28, 2022
Debra has been compared many times to Shakespeare, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen.
But the truth is she is far superior. She is Debra. Lee. Baldwin. And you better put some RESPECT on her name.
She is the defining author of our times, the creator that historians will look back on smiling. She got me an A in Calc, tucked in me into bed and ended global warming. I hope she wins a noble peace prize.
All in all, 3/5
But the truth is she is far superior. She is Debra. Lee. Baldwin. And you better put some RESPECT on her name.
She is the defining author of our times, the creator that historians will look back on smiling. She got me an A in Calc, tucked in me into bed and ended global warming. I hope she wins a noble peace prize.
All in all, 3/5
January 25, 2018
Lays a good foundation for those of us who didn’t officially study horticulture and/or design theory. Gives a good outline of succulents and succulent-friendly plants to keep in mind and provides several design tutorials that help diminish the mystery of some projects. Liked the advice on propagation.
May 30, 2020
Great information and amazing pictures. I'm sad I don't live in an environment like southern CA, but I can use this info to start growing some plants inside.
September 29, 2023
Beautiful pictures. Not sure if succulents are simplified but definitely more amplified!
June 18, 2013
I'm a big fan of succulents, and I mainly have succulents in my home - the only non-succulent I own is a spider plant. I've been a fan of succulent since my first Christmas cactus when I got married for how easy they are to care for - and for how simply beautiful they are when they flower, and I've never looked back. I tend to pamper my plants for a while and then life gets busy & I neglect them for a while, and succulents do great with these conditions. Just give 'em water once in a while & lots of sun & they are happy.
As with other books of this type, the book is dominated by the beautiful photography of the plants. The book talks about succulent care, but also what you can do with your plants - from edibles, to crafting, to flowering.
Though the focus is on outdoor plants - something not realistic for most varieties here in MA - there's a lot of information for the indoor container gardener, too.
I received a review copy for free from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
As with other books of this type, the book is dominated by the beautiful photography of the plants. The book talks about succulent care, but also what you can do with your plants - from edibles, to crafting, to flowering.
Though the focus is on outdoor plants - something not realistic for most varieties here in MA - there's a lot of information for the indoor container gardener, too.
I received a review copy for free from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
February 23, 2017
Not a bad book per se, but somehow I felt it was a little shallow towards plants. The author seemed to only place value on the plants' aesthetic appeal rather than valuing them just for being living things. It seemed like a very humanocentric attitude to plants and gardening, focusing a lot on how the plants can please us with their looks and what we can do with them to be craftsy, rather than thinking about how we can have a reciprocal relationship with our plants (where they please us and we please them). I think the humanocentric attitude is most common these days, but it is my hope that it changes and more people can see the poetry and companionship of their houseplants more strongly.
July 9, 2017
This is a useful book if you live in hardiness zones 8-11 and can grow succulents and cacti outside. Since this is a relatively small geographic population, I was hoping for more information on container gardening, care, and indoor propogation. Her "100 Easy Care Varieties" included some information on the plants and their origin, but very little on identification, propogation and care - even on things as basic as soil and watering. I did pickup some tips and got a few ideas for my own containers. I will keep looking for a better resource on the subject.
July 22, 2023
Things I learned from this book
- [ ] How to mix your own succulent mix (pumice, compost, perlite)
- [ ] How to treat different problem (spray with rubbing alcohol, dish soap, isolation, throwing away, cleaning tools and pots with dish soap, cinnamon mix)
- [ ] Behead a succulent and new growth will happen on the stems
- [ ] How to care in different weathers: give it shade during hot summer sun
- [ ] Brown spots on leaves from sun stress don’t recover. Give more shade and less sun
- [ ] Some succulents need to be sun stressed to turn beautiful colors
- [ ] Rotate the succulents for even sun exposure
- [ ] I like the arrangement ideas like vertical gardens, cake stands, succulent squares, living gardens
- [ ] My goal is to propagate succulents and have enough to build a succulent garden. I like the tips of caring for succulents, propagating, caring, and arrangement ideas
- [ ] How to mix your own succulent mix (pumice, compost, perlite)
- [ ] How to treat different problem (spray with rubbing alcohol, dish soap, isolation, throwing away, cleaning tools and pots with dish soap, cinnamon mix)
- [ ] Behead a succulent and new growth will happen on the stems
- [ ] How to care in different weathers: give it shade during hot summer sun
- [ ] Brown spots on leaves from sun stress don’t recover. Give more shade and less sun
- [ ] Some succulents need to be sun stressed to turn beautiful colors
- [ ] Rotate the succulents for even sun exposure
- [ ] I like the arrangement ideas like vertical gardens, cake stands, succulent squares, living gardens
- [ ] My goal is to propagate succulents and have enough to build a succulent garden. I like the tips of caring for succulents, propagating, caring, and arrangement ideas
April 28, 2019
This was a pretty good book but I would say it is not good for someone who is a beginner learning about succulents. I did love the photographs in this book which made it cool to look at. I also liked the designer projects that use the succulents to make various things. This book also talks about how to get rid of your lawn if you want to have just a succulent garden and that was pretty interesting. Chapter 3 also has a mini dictionary that lists 100 succulents with their names and care instructions.
November 4, 2020
A beautiful book with some gorgeous project ideas. However, it is mostly focused on people who live in climates where succulents thrive outside (indoor container gardeners, look elsewhere). I also found the section on specific plants poorly designed. The author makes it look like it is divided into sections by genus thanks to different colored pages with broad descriptions, but this is not so. Made for some confusion until I figured out that those were just highlighted pages in an alphabetical list.
May 14, 2017
My biggest complaint about gardening books, is that they are invariably written by people from the Southwest or East by people with no idea of the complications that Northwest gardeners have to deal with. Torrential rains one year followed by drought in the next. This was a great overview of what kinds of succulents are available. But after reading specifics about each plant I despair at finding ones that will be suitable in my environment.
May 25, 2017
A good book to read as well as keep for reference. Lots of full color photos, descriptions of plants, motivating examples of landscaping and great ideas for combining various types to plant in pots. A plus is the section on "crafting" with succulents - step by step photos and descriptions of fun ideas to make. I borrowed this book from the library but it would make a great gift to have as a reference.
February 5, 2020
I read this in an afternoon. This afternoon, as it happens. I needed comfort and I found it with succulents. I also discovered that I am overwatering my succulents in winter and that they probably need more supplemental light, which worked well, since I just purchased a couple of full-spectrum lights. I am needing happy plant things, and this was good. It covers indoor and outdoor succulents, and I had a moment of longing for a desert garden which was weird for me.
May 13, 2017
Simplified is right. Lots of information but not too much that it becomes overwhelming. I wanted to know the names of the most common succulents and I was able to get that information here. The author shows that not all succulents can be treated the same way. This is one of those books that will be checked out often from the library.
December 26, 2017
Probably most useful if you live in California and already know a lot about gardening and succulents. Could have used more illustrations...this may be a problem with Kindle format more than anything else.
May 15, 2018
This is like a lookbook for succulents. It has endearing chapter titles like, "Keeping Your Succulents Fat and Sassy." There's a whole section with D.I.Y. projects involving succulents which didn't do a lot for me. I got the most use out of the 100 easy-care variety directory.
July 17, 2024
A good overview of succulents if you’re thinking of dabbling! I learned a few new things, found some new succulents I’d like to try growing, and found some succulent arrangements I’d like to try to make.
March 3, 2018
not helpful for someone wanting plant(s) for a work cubicle. geared towards those are gardeners & crafty people.
July 9, 2018
Very informative and useful resource with lovely photos and lots of ideas for using succulents and troubleshooting problems.
November 11, 2018
It needed more pictures, who can’t just rattle of Latin names at me and expect me to keep up.
December 2, 2018
Learned some stuff and now I'm going to propagate properly
January 13, 2019
Beautiful picture. It seemed to gloss over the fact that some of us (I.e. me) can kill any plant without even trying. I wanted something quite a bit more step by step rather than a before and after.
May 2, 2019
Easily my favorite succulent book! Great visuals and information.
August 22, 2019
More garden oriented than indoor
August 29, 2019
Lot more detail than a previous book Ive read on succulents.
September 15, 2019
Wow
Great way to learn the basics and more. Deals with both container and garden use of succulents. Also. Deals with hardiness for climate zones
Great way to learn the basics and more. Deals with both container and garden use of succulents. Also. Deals with hardiness for climate zones
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews