Over the last decade or so, succulent plants have gone from being a niche of the indoor plant industry to being available in nearly every garden center, hardware, grocery, and even some retail stores. Why are they getting so much attention? Probably because they are easy to grow, look pretty in a variety of designs and displays, and offer so much versatility.

The term succulent is a common name given to a large group of plants characterized by thick, fleshy stems and/or leaves that store water. They might remind you of cacti without the prickly spines. Cacti are succulents, but they are only one family within the larger group. Other succulents typically lack spines.

If you have been tempted to buy the cute little pots of succulents that are widely available right now, go for it. All they really need is a window and a little bit of love. Succulents are a great choice for beginners and for experienced gardeners.

About that window — most succulents need a half day or more of bright light. Although you might be tempted to set them on a desk, a shelf, or end table, do so only for staging or guests. The overhead lights in your home are simply inadequate for succulents and most other indoor plants. Experienced growers may wish to use grow lights or a stand to optimize growth.

Love is a temperamental thing for plants. They need care, but more indoor plants are probably lost to too much love rather than the lack of it. Over-watering is the biggest risk to success with growing succulents.

For best results, water succulents when soil is dry below the surface (use your finger or a craft stick to check). This could be every day in your warm, dry, sunny window, or once every two weeks in your cool, humid window with a half day of indirect light. Try to water before the soil completely dries out, though, as potting mix is like a sponge that is hard to re-wet once completely dry.

When watering, set succulents in the sink or bathtub, or use saucers. Wet the soil until it is completely moistened and water comes out the bottom of the pot. Allow excess water to drain from the pot before putting it back in the window. If using saucers, dump any excess that remains after a few minutes.

Remember that plants’ water needs change with the seasons because of changes in day length, temperature, humidity and growth rate.

Fertilize as desired when plants are actively growing. Succulents are survivors, so they can get by with the minimal supplementation as long as they are occasionally re-potted. (Most commercially available potting mixes contain fertilizer.) Fertilize more frequently only if you want to up the growth rate.

Pests are rare, but keep an eye for them just in case. Common indoor plant pests include scale insects, mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids.

Popular, easy-to-grow succulents for indoors include multiple varieties of crassula, echeveria, aeonium, bromeliads, and others. Most of them are sold with tags only identifying them as a succulent, though, so unless you want to impress your gardening friends, just look for a plant shape and color that meets your fancy.

Many succulents are also suitable for growing outdoors, including the ever-popular sedum.

— Jennifer Smith is a former horticulture extension agent for K-State Research and Extension and horticulturist for Lawrence Parks and Recreation. She is the host of “The Garden Show.”