Just as K-pop has taken the world by storm, Korean succulents are a big thing in the cacti world. The thought of owning these Korean succulents excited many people.
They are these gorgeous vibrant succulents and stand apart from the rest due to their bright and beautiful colors.
As you can tell by their name, Korean succulents originate in Korea and are actually crossbred succulents.
They look very attractive and are highly colorful. These are fairly comparable to the other hybrid succulents, yet they stand out due to their stunning color and beauty.
While these beauties have a huge market, getting your hands on them is not easy.
Their supply is always low, which is another factor that contributes to the distinctive appeal of these lovely succulents.
Apart from their beauty and uniqueness, Korean succulents are very expensive.
A crossbred succulent grown in the US would cost you a little over $5, whereas the same succulent grown in Korea and imported to the US would cost you more than $20.
Anu succulent buyer would know that this price tag is way more than the average market rate in the US.
However, there are reasons for the high price of Korean succulents. Let’s dive into them!
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Why Are Korean Succulents So Expensive?
Let’s look at a few reasons why Korean Succulents are so expensive.
Obsessed and Passionate Gardeners
Growing and caring for practically perfect plants gives many growers, whether in the US or overseas, a great deal of delight from their succulents.
They eventually develop a preference for a particular genus, a particular growth trend, or a plant with the best-looking, chubbiest, roundest, stiffest, or multicolored leaves.
These gardeners frequently find themselves with arrangements that range from simple shelves by a certain window to fully developed closet growth shelves with shop lighting and everything.
The degree to which gardeners in Asia are fixated on their plants appears to align with their degree of obsession with growth conditions, attractiveness, and plant structure.
Succulents supplied by Korean gardeners are typically among the highest in terms of cost, quality, beauty, obsession, and passion.
Korea has the Perfect Climate.
The other reason individuals are willing to pay a higher price for succulents grown in Korea is that its an excellent location.
Korea’s climate is dry with chilly winters, which makes it perfect for producing extremely stressed, eye-catching succulents.
The majority of countries in Asia, including Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, and China, all grow and export a significant number of succulents.
The farther tropical and southerly you travel, the more frequently you notice producers growing larger specimens.
However, none of them compares to the Korean succulents, which are compactly cultivated and small.
The stressed, restricted growth necessary to breed these distinctive succulents isn’t easy to create here in the US.
The climate in US and regions where succulents naturally exist is moderate and doesn’t stress these plants out as much to become like that an imported quality succulent.
The majority of US gardeners keep their succulents in big outside greenhouses, and in the desert especially, there is a long growing season.
Documentations and Legalities to Import Korean Succulents
Anybody would adore having a collection of unique, exotic Korean succulents in their home.
Yet obtaining these beauties is difficult and is usually hindered by import restrictions and regulations.
Particularly, if you’ve no previous knowledge of how to do it, importing succulents from Korea can quickly turn into a highly time-consuming and stressful operation.
Before diving into the specifics, you should be familiar with your nation’s laws and restrictions regarding the importation of international plants.
Each government has its own set of rules, and most only permit the cultivation of plants for private use—not for selling.
Not only do these documents and legalities cost money, but they also cost a lot of time and energy.
And receiving the necessary certificates and permits isn’t the end of the stress.
You need a reliable delivery service who have experience in transporting sensitive and delicate goods like these exotic Korean plants.
Once all that is done, your shipment will get cleared from US customs and delivered to your home.
Now you know why Korean succulents are so expensive. It’s not just that they are unique and beautiful; it takes a lot of time, energy, and money to get them across borders to their new home.
Once you get your hands on your exotic succulent, you’re going to have to nourish it back to its optimum since it’s been in a box for days, and you will have to provide it with the best possible care.
So read on to learn care tips for Korean succulents.
Care Tips for Korean Succulents
As stated before, Korean succulents are basically hybrid succulents. Succulents are crossbred to produce succulents in their most beautiful form.
The succulents produce a wide range of different types and stunning shades when they are crossed.
While there are several different Korean hybrids, echeveria is the most popular due to its rich and beautiful colors.
A large number of Korean succulent growers have increased their production in order to meet the rising demand worldwide.
These succulents are in great demand, especially in the United States and Canada.
Since Korean succulents are hybrids, they are mostly like other succulents available in the market. Therefore, caring for them is also similar.
Watering Timetable
These Korean succulents require water to survive, just like any other succulent. However, avoid drowning or over-watering the succulents.
They only require the optimal water balance to grow aesthetically pleasing and healthily.
Ideally, one should follow the ‘soak and dry’ method for watering succulents. We’ve noticed that watering the Korean succulent once a week is more than enough.
A Container with Drainage Holes
Succulents hate being submerged in water, and too much water can harm them.
As a result, it’s necessary to place succulents in containers with drainage holes underneath.
By doing so, all of the extra water in the soil will be flushed out.
As you are probably aware, the soil’s moisture content can lead to root rot.
Therefore, it’s crucial to keep succulents in containers with drainage holes if you want them to thrive.
A Well-Drained Soil
Among the most crucial elements for promoting a strong succulent is well-draining soil.
Succulents dislike sitting in water for an extended period of time since it damages the plants and ultimately leads to their death.
Therefore, having high-quality, well-draining soil is crucial. This kind of dirt dries the soil much more quickly and lets the extra water drain away.
Long-term storage of water in the soil elevates the soil’s moisture content and initiates root rot.
Light Requirements
Since succulents are desert plants, they are accustomed to direct sunlight. Additionally, these Korean succulents require regular direct to moderate sunlight.
Try placing the succulents in an area where they can receive good light all day long.
It’s a good idea to keep them close to a window in your house that receives the most sunlight.
And don’t forget to keep rotating them so that each part can receive equal sunlight.
This keeps the succulents from being stressed and allows the plant to receive light from all directions.
Fertilization
Succulents must be fertilized in order to receive the nourishment that soil cannot deliver.
Due to their hybrid nature, Korean succulents may require additional care and fertilizers.
Succulents require monthly fertilization. Always think about using chemical-free natural manure on your succulent plants.
Korean Succulent Care for Different Seasons
Summer
Very high temperatures could be detrimental to your succulent.
Particularly when temperatures rise above 33 degrees, the sun might be too hot in the morning and could burn your succulent.
This may lead to your succulents dying, and we definitely don’t want that.
In order to prevent your plant from burning, spraying a little water at night is a good idea. If you decide to bring your plant inside, ensure it has adequate ventilation.
Otherwise, it could develop fungus and fall sick. It is difficult to save a succulent once it starts to rot.
The best time to water the succulent during summer is in the evening.
Also, don’t leave your succulent out in the rain. Although the periodic rain is beneficial for them, placing them in sunlight right after is a good idea. In other words:
- Avoid locking them inside for extended periods of time
- Provide good ventilation
- Don’t keep them out in the sun for too long
- Don’t let them sit in the rain too much
Autumn and Spring
Succulent upkeep is easiest in the fall and spring. All you have to do is make sure your succulents get the following:
- Clear, uninterrupted sunlight
- No overwatering
- Water only once a week
- Plant them in good soil blends
Winter
Winter is the best time for succulents since they are the most beautiful then due to the drastic difference in temperatures between night and day.
With the right amount of sunlight and temperature variations, the succulent will take on beautiful vivid colors.
The leaves become incredibly fat and look really attractive.
Here’s what you should do when the temperatures are coldest:
- Avoid watering them completely
- If you must water them, once every 15-20 days should be enough
- Water the succulent during midday when the sun is the brightest
Wrap Up
Ultimately, Korean succulents are merely just crossbred specimens that you could create yourself by cross-breeding two succulents.
Of course, it won’t be like original Korean succulents due to the fact that providing them with optimum growth conditions is not easy, but they will still be pretty and vibrant as compared to normal succulents.
Moreover, if you are new to the succulent world and still need expertise in growing healthy cacti and succulents, it probably won’t be a good idea to invest in a Korean succulent.
Develop your skills on the less expensive locally grown species before getting your hands on the more expensive Korean succulents.
