Replace Thirsty Flowering Annuals with Succulents in Containers

Do you have a pot or two that you fill with flowering annuals each season?

I must confess that I did this for years – both in the landscapes I managed and at home.  In fall, I would plant combinations of alyssum, geraniums, lobelia, petunias and snapdragons.  In summer it was celosia, salvia and/or vinca that I turned to for color.   

But, with many areas of the country experiencing significant drought conditions, perhaps it’s time to think about replacing thirsty flowering annuals with drought tolerant succulents in our containers.

On a recent visit to California, (which is suffering from extreme drought conditions), we walked through the small beach town of Carpinteria.    

This is a fun place to walk, especially through the downtown area with their plant nurseries and the beach is really a great one for swimming.  We used to camp near the beach as kids and spent swimming in the ocean.

A visit Carpinteria for us is never complete without a visit to crushcakes for their delicious cupcakes.  

In front of their restaurant, I noticed a unique coffee pot container filled with aloes.

After eating my favorite vanilla cupcake, we continued our walk down the main street.

Other store fronts also had pots filled with attractive succulents.  

In fact, what was unusual was that there weren’t any pots filled with flowering annuals, as you would normally see along a picturesque downtown area.

That made me realize that while I love flowers, I didn’t miss them.  

The absence of flowering annuals, got me to thinking that if you live in an area where there is drought, or even if you don’t – maybe we should look at using succulents instead of flowering annuals?

Like flowering annuals and perennials, there are countless types of succulents available with soft, colorful shades and unique shapes.

Another reason to consider using succulents is that they are easy to grow – especially when compared to flowering annuals.  

All you need is a container with holes for drainage, potting mix formulated for succulents and the succulents themselves.

You could plant a variety of succulents or even add some cacti into the mix…

A container like this one above, needs water twice a month in summer and monthly in spring and fall.    

I loved this succulent container that I saw at recent visit to a client’s home.    

I must confess that I stopped growing flowering annuals a few years ago because succulents are easier to take care of – especially with watering.

Using succulents instead of flowering annuals doesn’t have to be fancy – in fact, a single agave looks great by itself.

But, what if you aren’t a fan of succulents.  Is there a drought tolerant option instead of planting flowering annuals or perennials?

Believe it or not, bougainvillea makes a great container plant and they don’t need much water.  Simply water them deeply once a week in summer and twice a month spring and fall.  In winter, water them every 3 weeks.  

**So what about you?  Could you ditch your containers filled with colorful flowers for a waterwise one filled with succulents?  

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a author, horticulturist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."