What do you think?
Rate this book
Essential Succulents: The Beginner's Guide
Succulent gardens made simple—easy to grow and effortless to design.
In recent years, succulents have become increasingly popular for their low-maintenance use as indoor decoration and in home gardening. In Essential Succulents , budding succulent enthusiasts will gain the know-how needed to begin growing, decorating with, and enjoying these amazing plants.
From simple houseplants and drought-friendly landscaping to decorative wreaths and trendy mason jar terrariums, Essential Succulents is the ultimate guide to learning which succulents are best for beginners, along with a basic understanding of how to care for and creatively design with them.
Accompanied by beautiful photography of the succulents and projects presented, Essential Succulents
Whether you've never cared for succulents before, or are interested in deepening your understanding of them, Essential Succulents will give you the confidence you need to explore your succulent-growing passion.
In recent years, succulents have become increasingly popular for their low-maintenance use as indoor decoration and in home gardening. In Essential Succulents , budding succulent enthusiasts will gain the know-how needed to begin growing, decorating with, and enjoying these amazing plants.
From simple houseplants and drought-friendly landscaping to decorative wreaths and trendy mason jar terrariums, Essential Succulents is the ultimate guide to learning which succulents are best for beginners, along with a basic understanding of how to care for and creatively design with them.
Accompanied by beautiful photography of the succulents and projects presented, Essential Succulents
Whether you've never cared for succulents before, or are interested in deepening your understanding of them, Essential Succulents will give you the confidence you need to explore your succulent-growing passion.
184 pages, Hardcover
Published September 7, 2021
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 21, 2024
“Essential Succulents: The Beginner's Guide” by Ken Shelf is a great beginner guide to growing succulents. In my growing zone, only a few of the plants that Shelf includes can be grown outside, namely Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks), Ice Plants, and Sedums. However, finding **reliable** information on these plants can sometimes be difficult. This is where Shelf’s book comes in.
This book is divided into six major chapters—50 Best Succulent Varieties for Beginners, Indoor & Container Gardens, Outdoor Gardens, Propagating Succulents, Design Basics, Easy Decorative Projects (8 projects)—along with a short glossary and an impressive Photo Index.
When I state that this book includes “an impressive Photo Index,” I should probably clarify that the entire book is jam packed with full color photographs, not just at the end. In the chapter describing the “50 Best Succulents…” the author did an amazing job of including some extremely important information for each of them, including:
- Common Name, Scientific Name, Place of Origin, Hardiness Zone, Temperature Range, Ideal Lighting, Growing Location, Size, Special Features, Care Instructions, Watch Out For, and Arrangement Tips
I also especially appreciate how Shelf included a discussion of how to propagate these plants. For example, you can grow Echeveria’s from a single leaf, but you do **not** want to do this with Sempervivum’s—you simple remove the “chick” from the mother.
The author called this book “Essential Succulents,” so his goal was not to show all of the different varieties of succulents. Instead, he focused on the more popular ones that can be found in local garden centers and online.
Overall, this was a good general introduction and an easy read. By the time I had picked up this book, I already knew how to propagate Sempervivum’s and had figured out that they, along with Ice Plants, and some Stonecrop Sedums, were all that I could grow outside in my zone. So, I feel pretty confident that someone who has no knowledge at all about succulents could easily pick up this book and actually start growing and propagating them successfully. I highly recommend!
This book is divided into six major chapters—50 Best Succulent Varieties for Beginners, Indoor & Container Gardens, Outdoor Gardens, Propagating Succulents, Design Basics, Easy Decorative Projects (8 projects)—along with a short glossary and an impressive Photo Index.
When I state that this book includes “an impressive Photo Index,” I should probably clarify that the entire book is jam packed with full color photographs, not just at the end. In the chapter describing the “50 Best Succulents…” the author did an amazing job of including some extremely important information for each of them, including:
- Common Name, Scientific Name, Place of Origin, Hardiness Zone, Temperature Range, Ideal Lighting, Growing Location, Size, Special Features, Care Instructions, Watch Out For, and Arrangement Tips
I also especially appreciate how Shelf included a discussion of how to propagate these plants. For example, you can grow Echeveria’s from a single leaf, but you do **not** want to do this with Sempervivum’s—you simple remove the “chick” from the mother.
The author called this book “Essential Succulents,” so his goal was not to show all of the different varieties of succulents. Instead, he focused on the more popular ones that can be found in local garden centers and online.
Overall, this was a good general introduction and an easy read. By the time I had picked up this book, I already knew how to propagate Sempervivum’s and had figured out that they, along with Ice Plants, and some Stonecrop Sedums, were all that I could grow outside in my zone. So, I feel pretty confident that someone who has no knowledge at all about succulents could easily pick up this book and actually start growing and propagating them successfully. I highly recommend!
June 5, 2019
This book covers pretty much everything you wanted to know about succulents. Shelf covers the different types of succulents in the first part, including care instructions and common names. There is a chapter on outdoor growing and a really beautiful chapter with project ideas. The index is through and there is even a photo index! :) The best part though is the chapter on propagating, which I have done with some luck but now know what I should be doing for the best results.
This book is really lovely! I wish I lived in SF to go to one of Ken's workshops!
This book is really lovely! I wish I lived in SF to go to one of Ken's workshops!
October 14, 2021
I will definitely keep looking back at this book for tips that I’ll almost certainly forget. But this is a perfect book for a big time plant lover owner who never learned specific basics, and I was able to help some of my lil cutie plants with silly things I’ve been doing wrong!
May 3, 2022
I quite loved the descriptions and the plant variety with some tips about each
July 4, 2020
It was good- informational, easy to read, broken into nive sections. There are some succulent craft ideas in the back, looking forward to making the pumpkin succulent craft.
February 28, 2020
Easy to understand. Helped me not kill my succulents.
March 5, 2019
Excellent
Even beginners can see and understand the art of propagating succulents. The author describes care and cultivation as well of a discussion of healing properties of these plants
The more advanced gardener/florist is provided guidance for arranging of succulents, which are being recognized as beautiful decorations for weddings or holiday occasions
Most interesting was his discussion of specific plants. He discussed their native environments, the relationship between those environments and the adaptation to the environment into which they have been transported. I finished the book wanting to experiment with propagation and succulent floral arrangement
Even beginners can see and understand the art of propagating succulents. The author describes care and cultivation as well of a discussion of healing properties of these plants
The more advanced gardener/florist is provided guidance for arranging of succulents, which are being recognized as beautiful decorations for weddings or holiday occasions
Most interesting was his discussion of specific plants. He discussed their native environments, the relationship between those environments and the adaptation to the environment into which they have been transported. I finished the book wanting to experiment with propagation and succulent floral arrangement
September 28, 2022
It is a good compendium for the beginners. In the kindle version I was sometimes confused which picture is for which plant, thankfully there is additional photo glossary at the end with the links to descriptions.
Perhaps I would also like to see more troubleshooting explored for each succulent individually rather than a combined table at the end.
I really liked the chapter showing how to make some design projects with the succulents as a centrepiece, although in my opinion these were way over the beginner’s level.
Perhaps I would also like to see more troubleshooting explored for each succulent individually rather than a combined table at the end.
I really liked the chapter showing how to make some design projects with the succulents as a centrepiece, although in my opinion these were way over the beginner’s level.
October 30, 2018
Want to begin to raise your own succulents? This book is a good start for the beginner. It's a beautiful book and contains all you need to know about getting started without being overwhelming.
From how to get started to what succulents to choose to how to arrange your succulent garden, this book has the information you need in an easy-to-read format. It's a great read for anyone who wants to get started with succulents!
(I received a free copy of this book for review.)
From how to get started to what succulents to choose to how to arrange your succulent garden, this book has the information you need in an easy-to-read format. It's a great read for anyone who wants to get started with succulents!
(I received a free copy of this book for review.)
June 25, 2019
I don't know if I would consider this a beginners guide it gave a lot of information on so many different plants and the best ways to grow them that I found it a tad overwhelming at times. I do think it is an excellent reference book to have if you are into growing succulents. I read this on Kindle Unlimited but I plan to purchase it hopefully in a paper copy I really do prefer my reference books to be in hard copy.
January 13, 2020
Succulents have become so trendy these last few years. I own quite a few as well. This book is an excellent beginner book. Although only 50 succulents are listed, the general care information is similar for all succulents. The information in this book is laid out in a easy-to-read and easy-to-understand manner. I would highly recommend this book for everyone looking to get into succulent growing or to up your succulent game.
January 1, 2021
Nicely designed book with great photos, but with more information about the author's personal experience in his life and SF succulent shop than tips. I like more information when I read a how-to book, so it's a bit useless and dated in my newly found hobby of succulent-growing(zero experience) I was able to find more information online. However. This is Amazon's top seller on the subject so it's going to show up first.
November 7, 2018
This is such an amazing book of succulents. It is very well researched and written with stunning photos. I love everything about it from start to finish. Includes indoor and outdoor container ideas, projects, design. It is gorgeous! very well done. I received the book from publisher -- lucky me. I would buy another as a gift. It is so informative from tips to care.
June 30, 2019
Learned a great deal about different types of succulents.
I have been growing succulents for about a year and found this book very helpful in my understanding of succulents growth and propagation. The book also includes projects with information you can easily use to create your own succulent display.
I have been growing succulents for about a year and found this book very helpful in my understanding of succulents growth and propagation. The book also includes projects with information you can easily use to create your own succulent display.
June 21, 2021
I am really enjoying the ability to read up on the succulents deemed to be good for beginning gardeners. Each one has text with Special Features, Care Instructions, Watch Out For and Arrangement Tips - the pictures are great and help to identify the basics. I'm always reading up on one that I have or have acquired. Great book for beginners.
November 29, 2018
A must read for any succulent and cacti lover and invaluable for newbwies..
The range and depth of material plus the photographs are unbelievable!Isab
have read and searched
and beautiful books on this sject , none were as helpful and satisfying as this book
The range and depth of material plus the photographs are unbelievable!Isab
have read and searched
and beautiful books on this sject , none were as helpful and satisfying as this book
September 30, 2019
This was a beautiful book, awesome photos and well laid out. My copy was a library loan but I could see a dedicated gardener wanting this for reference. Good, thorough information for the amateur. I did find some of the plant names contradictory to other sources. I recommend this book.
May 6, 2020
I'm a total beginner so I liked how simple it was. I wish there were more visual aids for terms like legginess and what to keep an eye on/ warning signs for rot etc.
Its as the title suggests, very much for beginners. Every little bit helps though, I guess.
Its as the title suggests, very much for beginners. Every little bit helps though, I guess.
May 26, 2020
Succulent Gardening....
I read everything in this book....Easy to follow his instructions...now I’m getting my garden to grow! Oh and I’m 72 years young...wish I’d started 20 years ago....now my plants would be mature...same as me!
I read everything in this book....Easy to follow his instructions...now I’m getting my garden to grow! Oh and I’m 72 years young...wish I’d started 20 years ago....now my plants would be mature...same as me!
August 25, 2020
Good starting point
Was hoping my succulents were in this book, but two were not. Guess i have to read up more on those. Overall,good information as it relates to individual succulents varietals and succulents as a whole.
Was hoping my succulents were in this book, but two were not. Guess i have to read up more on those. Overall,good information as it relates to individual succulents varietals and succulents as a whole.
September 30, 2021
Easy to understand, this is not difficult a lesson to do in growing these plants.
Understanding the differences and needs between a cactus and a succulent explaining the plants that will do well in my zone and the amount of sun and water that the plant will need
Understanding the differences and needs between a cactus and a succulent explaining the plants that will do well in my zone and the amount of sun and water that the plant will need
February 23, 2022
Very Helpful
I'm a newbie (big time) so I NEED books with information like this. It was well put together, informative, easy to read, and short enough that it didn't lose my interest or bore me to tears. Kudos.
I'm a newbie (big time) so I NEED books with information like this. It was well put together, informative, easy to read, and short enough that it didn't lose my interest or bore me to tears. Kudos.
August 8, 2022
Decent read. I was hoping to get more 'bios' on more of the succulents (author provides 5o of the best plants for beginners, in this opinion). The pictures were great and I liked the different planting ideas and craft ideas. Good read for someone just starting on their succulent journey.
April 2, 2023
will be referring back to this often!
Great information I’d recommend to my friends. I appreciate the glossary so much. It is a quick and easy read but also god to keep as reference!
Great information I’d recommend to my friends. I appreciate the glossary so much. It is a quick and easy read but also god to keep as reference!
June 3, 2019
Great for beginners
Well written and organized for easy reference. The photos were quite helpful as well. I am in the search for a succulent identification hide book next!
Well written and organized for easy reference. The photos were quite helpful as well. I am in the search for a succulent identification hide book next!
June 25, 2019
This is my favourite book on succulents so far, and incredible value for money on kindle!
October 25, 2019
So helpful! Clear and well organized. Great book!
January 19, 2020
Great guide! Explains care and maintenance for the more popular succulents.
May 1, 2020
Very interesting.
Very interesting and informative. No regrets! I have learnt quite a lot about the succulents in my yard. Recommended highly.
Very interesting and informative. No regrets! I have learnt quite a lot about the succulents in my yard. Recommended highly.
May 17, 2020
Very informative for starting out. Easy read, and loved all the pictures with each succulent described. Will be my new bible to refer to all succulents.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews