Kunming's year-round spring-like climate allows countless succulents to flourish, displaying vibrant colors under the highland sun. Stroll through Zhangyi Manor to discover a fairytale world of succulent forests; Visit Menghui Succulent Forest to witness the magical intersection of whimsical plants and captivating art. With the blue sky as the backdrop and the gentle breeze as company, let these healing little elves relieve your fatigue. The Spring City has prepared a "succulent" city, awaiting your arrival to capture these soft, fleeting moments!

What are succulent plants?

Succulent plants, also known as fleshy plants or water-storing plants, are a broad category of plants characterized by their thickened leaves, stems, or roots, or by a combination of these characteristics. These plants possess specialized parenchyma tissue, optimized for the storage of substantial quantities of water, giving them a plump and juicy appearance.

Photo from ONE Flower & Chinese Floriculture Official WeChat Account

Based on their primary water storage organ, succulent plants can be categorized into four types: Leaf succulents, root succulents, stem succulents, and so-called "whole" succulents, where water storage is distributed throughout the plant. For example, cactus and echinopsis oxygona belong to the stem succulent category, while most of the colorful varieties offered at the Dounan Flower Market are leaf succulents.

Photo from ONE Flower & Chinese Floriculture Official WeChat Account

The family of succulent plants is very large. There are over ten thousand known species of succulents worldwide, belonging to more than 100 families in classification. Their exceptional drought tolerance, adaptability, and reproductive prowess, coupled with their diverse shapes and aesthetic appeal, make them ideal choices for indoor potted plants, capable of captivating a diverse range of tastes.

Photo from Juanzi on the Road WeChat Official Account

Kunming Succulent Hotspots

Yiliang Zhangyi Manor

At Zhangyi Manor's No. 3 Studio, nestled on Nanyang Street in Yiliang County, succulents riotously adorn every surface. Countless plants scale the skeletal branches of ancient trees, spill across the fissures in timeworn earthenware, and even plummet from the rooftops like the Milky Way scattered into a million glinting stars. Entering Zhangyi Manor, your eyes are immediately captivated, bypassing the need for taste buds.More than ten thousand succulents are meticulously arranged with an almost artistic fervor: Fallen tree stumps morph into "Succulent Waterfalls", earthenware pots are architecturally structured into "Green Towers" with the succulents dangling lightly from the roof and swinging gently like Jade pearl curtains in the breeze. Beyond mere decoration, they are also "Soul Employees" drawing tourists in for photography, inspiring creative products, and even used for new dishes! Many tourists come here for a visit, not necessarily to taste the food in the manor, but more to enjoy the pleasant feeling of being surrounded by a succulent garden.

Photo from Rednote@sassy

Nanping Street, Zhengyi Road

Along Zhengyi Road in Nanping Street, Kunming, a dream-like garden takes root from nearly 300,000 potted succulents. The Gaoshanpu Pocket Park is located at the intersection of Zhengyi Road and Qingyun Street in Huguo Street. The exhibition there, in this park, ingeniously combines the iconic yellow gates of the Yunnan Military Academy with the simple, elegant placard of the National Southwestern Associated University. Through this, as we combine the gentle curves of the succulents, we artfully combine a combination of historical weightiness, whilst combining Natural vitality. Landscape merges elegantly with the elements of Kunming culture, which highlights the characteristics of the Spring city, and has proven to be a fantastic "Check In" spot for socials. If you go to Nanping Street, you must visit this place that was created at the beginning of this year - Gaoshanpu Wan·LIVE MALL (Gaoshanpu Succulent Pocket Park).

Photo from52 Hertz MeWeChat Official Account

Menghui Succulent Forest

Located in Hanjia Ying Village, Baofeng Street, the "Menghui Succulent Forest" brings together succulents from well-known, large-scale, and high-quality bases across the country. With over 200 species and 100,000 succulents, you'll be spoiled for choice. They come in various shapes and sizes, with vibrant colors. Here, you can not only learn about the care and maintenance of various succulents, but also choose your favorite succulent treasures and embark on your succulent journey. It's also a great place for kids to play and for leisure and entertainment. Children can explore the sea of succulents and learn about different types of succulent plants. Adults can relax, stroll through the succulent landscape, take photos, and enjoy leisurely moments.

Photo from Kunming Gardens (Kunming Yuanlin) WeChat Official Account

These tenacious little lives only need a little water, sunlight, and soil to take root and grow slowly in a small pot. Unlike green plants whose flowers wither easily, succulents are immortal floral gods, always blooming. If you give them sunlight and time, they will reward you with endless beauty.

They are not fleeting visitors of spring, but steadfast guardians of all seasons. This scene makes you feel the vitality and beauty of life and makes you want to take them home and add a touch of freshness and warmth to your life.

Succulent Growing Tips

To survive in arid or semi-arid environments, succulents have unique physiological structures and water storage capabilities. The cuticle layer of the succulent epidermis is relatively thick, and the cell sap of the epidermis dissolves a large number of hydrophilic substances, which help succulent plants better absorb and retain moisture, allowing them to survive better in arid environments.

Therefore, overwatering can damage the roots of succulents due to lack of oxygen, and the cells will also damage its structure and function due to over-expansion, resulting in slow growth, poor development, followed by yellowing leaves, leaf drop, wilting, and even rot and death.

Photo from Potted Plants World WeChat Official Account

Here are some tips for growing succulents:

① Choose the right flowerpot: Choose a flowerpot with drainage holes at the bottom to prevent water accumulation.

② Soil selection: Use soil with good air permeability and drainage, such as a mixture of peat soil, sand, and vermiculite.

④ Watering: Water only after the soil is completely dry, avoiding standing water; try to avoid leaving water droplets on the leaves when watering to avoid sunburn.

⑤ Light: Succulents like plenty of sunlight, but avoid direct sunlight during high summer temperatures.

⑥ Temperature: Most succulents prefer a growth temperature between 15-25°C, and low temperatures should be avoided in winter.

⑧ Fertilization: Apply a dedicated succulent fertilizer in moderation during the spring and autumn seasons. Fertilization is not recommended in winter.