Protecting My Succulents in Winter

El Paso is not normally subjected to bitter cold temperatures, but the thermometer does dip below freezing on many nights throughout the winter, posing a real threat to frost-tender succulents. This season, to protect my collection, I built a simple lean-to greenhouse made of PVC pipes, plastic sheeting, and duct tape, with inexpensive clamp lamps providing light and warmth.

The plastic sheeting has some slits and windows cut into it, reinforced with the tape to prevent rips from occurring and to help with air circulation on relatively mild days. In the picture below, a large Kalanchoe luciae (Paddle Plant) can be seen through the translucent plastic. A cold hardy Echinopsis sits outside of the greenhouse.

In My Garden: Succulent Box Planters

Succulents in box planters can be a challenge. Many box planters are placed underneath windows which receive full sun all day long in many instances. This may burn the plants to a crisp in the desert southwest.

In my porch and walkway, I've placed box planters made of coco liner on a long plant stand with two shelves. The stand is made of wrought iron, as is the planter shell. The backside of the planter faces the wall.

This container was planted on April 24, 2013 and contains:
1. Senecio vitalis - Narrow-Leaf Chalksticks
2. Kalanchoe longiflora var. coccinea
3. Agave species, possibly Agave filifera
4. Oscularia deltoides - Pink Vygie
5. Echeveria harmsii - Plush Plant

These types of planters dry out more quickly, so they must be watered at least twice a week to prevent the soil from drying out completely. Still, be careful to not over water any succulents, which is the easiest way to kill the plants.

Echeverias Grace Two Box Planters

Two gorgeous Echeveria plants take center stage in box planters that surround a small balcony. Freshly watered, the succulent leaves form natural cups which hold the water.

'Donkey's Tail' Peaks Over a Container's Edge

A Donkey's Tail sedum starts to make its way over the side of a burgundy container. Behind the sedum sit several other succulents, including a Silver Dollar Plant, Tiger Tooth Aloe, and Aeonium Zwartkop.

'Red Apple' Plant and Cactus Share a Container

An Aptenia "Red Apple" hybrid mingles with a cactus in a central El Paso garden. The cactus is an unknown Echinopsis variety. The Aptenia succulent, which produces bright red miniature flowers, grows quickly and is well adapted to El Paso summers.

More Info
Aptenia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aptenia
Echinopsis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinopsis