Caring for succulents
Providing your succulents with the right environment and careful attention will ensure that your plants thrive.
Light
Because succulents thrive in full-sun environments, they tend to need lots of UV light. “Most succulents need at least six hours of light each day,” says Chad Mashoula, co-founder of sustainable potting soil brand Rosie Soil. “For best results, try to place your plant in a south- or west-facing window.”
But the exact amount of light your succulent needs depends on the type, whether it's indoors or outdoors, and the climate you live in. “As a general rule, most succulents can tolerate shade in hot, dry climates, but will need more sun in cooler climates,” says Ryan Gillot, curator at the San Francisco Botanical Garden.
Mashoula adds that succulents grown in low-light environments may flatten or stretch out in an attempt to soak up more sunlight. If you notice your succulent leaning toward the sun, “try rotating the plant monthly to help keep it upright,” she suggests.
soil
To keep your succulents from being waterlogged for long periods of time, soil that's porous, well-draining, and has a granular texture works best. If you don't have good-draining soil, you'll need to adjust your watering habits to keep your plants from drying out and causing root rot. “If you're growing them in heavy soil, make sure you wait until it's dry enough. If you're growing them in light soil, like sand or cactus soil, you'll need to water them a bit more,” says Guyot.
water
That's where the low-maintenance part really comes into play. When it comes to watering succulents, “it's best to leave them alone,” says Guyot. How often you need to water them will depend on the type and growing conditions, but most succulents should be left to dry out between waterings. That means letting your succulent's soil dry out and become crumbly before watering it. If the leaves or stems start to shrivel up and turn brown, that's a sign the plant is dehydrated and needs watering, says Angelica Elliott, deputy director of public horticulture at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix.
But when in doubt, go easy on the water: “Succulents are more likely to recover from underwatering than from overwatering,” Guyot says.
Temperature and Humidity
Because succulents live in hot, dry climates, they generally prefer warm temperatures with low humidity, but this varies by species. As a general range, “most succulents like temperatures between 40 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels of 40 to 60 percent,” says Diane Glaub, botanical gardens manager at the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Because succulents are adapted to the extremes of the desert, they can handle moderate ranges of heat and cold just fine, says Mashoura, noting that humidity is the bigger concern here.
“In a humid environment, they will quickly rot, wilt, and slowly die,” he says, but Mashoula explains that succulents can tolerate high humidity levels (around 70 to 90 percent) as long as they get enough sunlight every day to keep the leaves and soil dry.
fertilizer
According to Elliott, if you plant succulents in the ground, they usually don't need fertilizer because they get all the nutrients they need from the soil. However, if you're growing succulents in containers, it's beneficial to fertilize them regularly when the plants are actively growing. Elliott recommends using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, such as 10-10-10.
How to grow succulents
Propagating succulents is relatively easy for many types of succulents. They can be propagated by picking off leaves or using the stems of the plants.
Choose a healthy stem or leaf. Any that are shriveled are not healthy enough to propagate. Allow to callus. Leave the leaf or stem for a few days to allow the cutting to dry. Use rooting hormone. This optional step is very helpful for single leaves or little baby plants to take root. Plant in soil. Use a soil blend made specifically for succulents or cacti and keep the soil moist so the plant can root. Repot the plant. Once the cutting has rooted, you can repot it into a larger pot filled with soil for succulents.
How to grow succulents in pots
Succulents grow beautifully in pots, but they need different conditions than many other houseplants. Learn how to create a beautiful environment for your succulents to thrive.
Choose the right container: Succulents don't have deep roots, so they do better in shallow pots or bowls than other plants. Choose a pot that's 1 to 2 inches larger than your current one to give them room to grow. Make sure it has drainage holes so the roots don't dry out if you water them too much. Use the right soil: Well-draining, sandy soil works best for succulents. Ideally, you should use a soil blend made for succulents and cacti. Watch for signs that your succulent needs repotting: If your succulent starts to overflow its container or has roots growing outside the pot, it's time to move it to a larger container.
Common problems with succulents
Succulents are easy plants to care for, but sometimes they start to look a little unhealthy. Here's how to get to the root of some common succulent problems.
Overwatering
In most cases, the reason succulents aren't thriving is because they are overwatered. Overwatered succulents will have soft, droopy, yellow or black leaves. They may also start to lose leaves and have swollen stems.
If you do overwater your succulent, try to drain out as much water as possible. You can also remove the plant and soil from the pot and set it aside to speed up the drying process. Make sure the plant is completely dry before watering it again. You might also consider repotting it in a pot with drainage holes to reduce the chances of this happening again.
Lack of watering
Yes, succulents can go quite a long time without water, but if you wait too long, your plant's leaves will start to shrivel up and turn yellow. The fix is simple: water your plant thoroughly and then let it dry out completely before watering it again.
Sun damage
Most succulents do well in bright or indirect sunlight. However, too much sunlight can burn your succulents and cause brown spots. Unfortunately, the brown spots are scars and are permanent on your succulents.
long stem plant
If your succulent has very long stems and thin leaves, it may be a sign that it needs more sun. You can try cutting the stems shorter (to encourage growth) and letting them regrow from there, but choose a sunnier spot in your home.
Common types of succulents
There are literally hundreds of different types of succulents, all in different shapes, sizes, and colors, so you can find a beautiful succulent to complement your garden or plant collection. If you're looking to place a few on a sunny windowsill, here are 10 of the most common succulents that work beautifully as houseplants.
Cactaceae
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If you've ever been confused by the difference between succulents and cacti, a common geometric fact might help you make the distinction. Just as a square is to a rectangle, so is a cactus to a succulent. In other words, all cacti are considered succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. Cacti can also be distinguished from many common succulents by the fact that they generally lack leaves.
Sedum
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This beautiful succulent has been a popular houseplant for decades thanks to its easy care (it only needs to be watered about once every few weeks) and vibrant jade green color.
aloe
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Native to Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula, these plants are known for producing a skin-soothing gel, but only a few of the more than 300 species contain well-known medicinal properties.
Agave
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These plants are similar in appearance to aloe vera, but are usually larger and more spiny. Native to the Americas, agave plants are sometimes called “century plants” because they only flower once in their lifetime.
Echeveria
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The first image that comes to mind when you think of succulents is this plant with thick, waxy, rose-shaped leaves. Native to Mexico, Central America, and South America, Echeverias are often grown for their colorful leaves and flowers.
Kalanchoe
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Kalanchoe is a popular succulent plant because many varieties produce beautiful flowers. As with all succulents, Kalanchoe should not be placed in damp areas such as bathrooms. Also, keep Kalanchoe out of reach of pets, as it can be toxic to them.
Ponytail Palm
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Don't be fooled by the name: this popular houseplant is actually a succulent, and like all succulents, it will thrive beautifully even if left unattended.
Sansevieria
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Sansevieria is popular as an easy-to-care-for plant because it is a succulent. Placing a Sansevieria near the entrance to your home can bring you good fortune with proper plant feng shui.
Heart Vine
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This graceful climbing succulent is native to South Africa. The heart vine makes a great hanging houseplant and also produces flowers.
Sedum
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Sedums come in a variety of shapes and colors, so you're sure to find one that suits your style. They also make great landscape plants and ground covers if you're looking for a low-maintenance alternative to grass.
FAQ
Are succulents toxic to dogs and cats?
Luckily, most succulents are considered non-toxic to pets, however there are some varieties that are poisonous, such as aloe, pencil cactus, kalanchoe and sedum, so it's important to research before introducing any new succulents around your pets.
Why are my succulents dying?
As we highlighted above, overwatering is a much bigger problem for these plants than underwatering, and root rot is the most common cause of succulent death. If you notice that your plant has root rot, be sure to address the problem as soon as possible by treating and cutting out the infected areas.
Are succulents good plants for beginners?
Yes, succulents are generally great plants for beginners because they don't require much care. However, as we mentioned above, overwatering will kill your succulents quickly. So instead of following the same watering schedule as other houseplants, make sure you only water your succulents when the soil is dry.