Water Succulents

Succulents are beautiful, exotic houseplants. With near-perfect symmetry, what's not to like? However, like many plants, watering them can be a challenge. Especially in their younger years, it is important to water succulents correctly and consistently.

Steps

Watering Young Succulents

  1. Mist your succulents gently every 2-4 days. Although you should usually wait 2-4 days to mist them again, this may be different for each succulent. If you're not sure how often to mist yours, a good rule of thumb is to wait until the soil is dry to mist it again.
  2. Create a schedule, then be sure to follow it. When the succulents are young it is critical to stick to a strict misting schedule.

Watering Mature Succulents

  1. Soak the soil completely using a watering can. This practice establishes a healthy root system.
  2. Wait until the soil is completely dry to soak the soil again. There is no standard answer to how often to water mature succulents. This will depend on the plant variety, the soil, the ambient humidity, and other factors. Generally, you should water more often in the summer when the plant is actively growing than in the winter when the plant goes into semi-dormancy with shorter days.
  3. Skip watering periodically to encourage a robust root system. Sometimes it is beneficial to skip watering for 1-2 days to allow even stronger roots to grow. Contrary to popular belief, you don't always have to stick to the same watering schedule for mature succulents. Still, it is good to have a general schedule.

Reviving an Under-watered Succulent

  1. Identify the signs of underwatering. Your succulents are probably under-watered if:
    • the upper leaves are becoming dry and crispy
    • the entire plant has become shriveled (although it is difficult to revive it at this point)
    • many leaves are shriveling at the tips
  2. Gently mist your succulents for 1-5 days. This will help transition them to a regular watering routine. Giving them a 'full dose' of water after a long period of time without water might damage the plants.
  3. Increase their water intake gradually. After they have gotten used to the change, gradually return to their regular watering schedule. You can then water them with a watering can, and they should be back to normal in 1-3 weeks!



Tips

  • How often to water succulents can vary, depending on the environment they are growing in. The hotter it is, the more often you'll have to water your succulents. The more humid it is, the less often you’ll need to water them.
  • Grow your succulents in pots with drainage holes and good draining soil. If succulents are grown in soil that is too moist, they can suffer damage from mold and other unhealthy growths.

Warnings

  • Underwatering is better than overwatering. Since succulents retain water in their leaves, watering them every day is not a necessity. When in doubt, wait an extra day or two to water your succulents again.
  • Be wary of root rot, a disease that attacks the roots of plants growing in soil that is too moist or is continually moist.

Things You'll Need

  • small watering can
  • sprayer or mister
  • pot with drainage hole(s)
  • soil that does not hold water (soil that drains well)

Sources and Citations

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