Succulents are a favored choice for plant enthusiasts, known for their distinct forms and textures. These plants store water in their leaves, stems, or roots, allowing them to thrive in arid conditions. Their low-maintenance nature and diverse aesthetics make them appealing additions to various indoor and outdoor settings.
What Are Succulents
Succulents are a diverse group of plants characterized by their ability to store water within their fleshy tissues. This adaptation allows them to endure prolonged periods of drought in their native arid and semi-arid environments. This botanical characteristic is found across more than 60 plant families. While cacti are a type of succulent, the broader category includes a vast array of other forms, textures, and colors.
Popular succulent genera often seen in cultivation include Echeveria, Sedum, Haworthia, Aloe, Crassula (like the jade plant), and Sansevieria (snake plants). These plants exhibit a spectrum of appearances, from vibrant greens to striking reds, purples, and nearly black hues, often developing stress colors when exposed to more intense light.
Essential Succulent Care
Providing the right environmental conditions is important for maintaining healthy succulents.
Light
Succulents generally require ample light to thrive, with most varieties benefiting from at least six hours of bright, indirect sunlight daily. South-facing windows are often ideal for indoor placement, providing consistent brightness. Insufficient light can lead to etiolation, where the plant stretches and becomes leggy with widely spaced leaves, indicating it is searching for more light. Conversely, too much direct, intense sun, especially if the plant is not gradually acclimated, can cause sunburn, appearing as scorched spots or bleached patches on the leaves. Plants typically found in darker green shades often tolerate lower light conditions, while those with vibrant colors or variegation usually demand more intense light to maintain their hues.
Watering
The “soak and dry” method is the most effective approach for watering succulents. This involves thoroughly saturating the soil until water drains from the pot’s bottom, then allowing the soil to dry out completely before the next watering. It is generally better to underwater than to overwater, as succulents are highly susceptible to root rot in consistently wet conditions.
The frequency of watering varies based on factors such as plant size, pot material, temperature, and humidity, but indoor succulents may need water every 2-4 weeks. During dormancy, typically in winter for many species, watering frequency should be significantly reduced, sometimes to as little as once a month. Avoiding misting is important, as succulents absorb water through their roots, and moisture on leaves can lead to fungal issues.
Soil
Well-draining soil is important for succulent health, as their roots are prone to rot if left in soggy conditions. A specialized cactus or succulent mix is highly recommended, as these formulations are designed for rapid drainage. Creating a suitable mix at home often involves combining regular potting soil with inorganic amendments such as perlite, pumice, or coarse sand. A common ratio is equal parts potting soil, perlite, and sand, or a mix with 40-80% mineral content. It is important to avoid fine-grain sand like beach sand, as it can compact and hinder drainage.
Temperature and Humidity
Succulents generally prefer warm, dry environments, mirroring their native arid habitats. They are sensitive to frost, and prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can cause damage. While specific temperature ranges vary by species, most thrive in typical indoor temperatures. High humidity levels are generally not favorable for succulents, as they can contribute to fungal problems and inhibit the drying of the soil, making proper watering even more important.
Fertilizing
Succulents do not require frequent fertilization; they are adapted to nutrient-poor soils. When fertilizing, it is best to do so sparingly during their active growing season, typically in spring and early fall when temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. A diluted liquid fertilizer, such as a balanced 1-1-1 or 2-1-1 NPK formula, applied at half or quarter strength, is generally appropriate. Over-fertilization can lead to soft, leggy growth and increased susceptibility to issues. Slow-release granular fertilizers mixed into the soil at potting time can also be effective.
Repotting
Repotting succulents is typically recommended every two years to refresh the soil and provide adequate space for growth. The best times for repotting are spring or early fall, before their peak growing season, and it should be avoided during dormancy or when the plant is flowering. When selecting a new pot, choose one that is about 10% larger than the previous one, or roughly 2 inches wider than the plant’s diameter, ensuring it has drainage holes. Gently remove the plant, loosen the roots, and brush off old soil before placing it in the new pot with fresh, well-draining succulent mix. After repotting, it is beneficial to wait a day or two before watering and place the plant in a shady spot for a few weeks to help it adjust.
Multiplying Succulents
Propagating succulents is a rewarding way to expand a collection or share plants. Several straightforward methods allow new plants to grow from existing parts of a mature succulent.
Leaf Cuttings
Propagating succulents from individual leaves is a common and accessible method. Begin by gently twisting a healthy, plump leaf from the parent plant, ensuring the entire base remains intact. After removal, allow the leaf to “callus” or dry out for several days to a week in a warm, well-ventilated area, which helps prevent rot.
Once callused, place the leaf on top of well-draining succulent soil. Roots and tiny new plants, often called “pups,” will eventually emerge from the callused end. Water sparingly only after roots appear, allowing the soil to dry completely between waterings.
Stem Cuttings
Stem cuttings are another effective method, often yielding faster results than leaf propagation. Take a cutting that is typically 2-4 inches long from an actively growing part of the plant, removing any lower leaves to expose a bare stem. As with leaves, allow the cut end of the stem to callus for 2-7 days to prevent rot.
After callusing, insert the stem cutting about 1/2 to 2 inches deep into dry, well-draining succulent soil. Place the pot in indirect light and avoid watering for the first two weeks, then begin light misting or watering once roots have begun to form. A gentle tug on the cutting can indicate if roots have developed; resistance means rooting has occurred.
Offsets/Pups
Many succulents naturally produce “offsets” or “pups,” which are miniature versions of the parent plant that grow around its base or from nodes on the stem. These offsets are genetically identical to the mother plant and often develop their own root systems while still attached. To propagate, carefully separate the offset from the parent plant, ensuring any roots attached to the pup are preserved. Allow the separated offset to callus for 1-7 days, particularly if it has a fresh cut. Once callused, plant the offset into well-draining succulent potting mix, burying it just deep enough to support itself. Provide bright, indirect light and water sparingly until the new plant establishes its root system.
Troubleshooting Succulent Issues
Even with diligent care, succulents can encounter problems. Recognizing symptoms and understanding their causes helps in effective troubleshooting.
Overwatering and Rot
Overwatering is a frequent cause of succulent decline. Symptoms include leaves becoming mushy, translucent, or yellow, and stems turning black or soft, indicating rot. This occurs when the soil remains wet for too long, depriving roots of oxygen. To address this, immediately cease watering and allow the soil to dry completely. If rot is extensive, the plant may need to be unpotted, affected parts trimmed, and allowed to dry before replanting in fresh, dry soil.
Underwatering
While succulents tolerate drought, prolonged underwatering can also cause stress. Signs of an underwatered succulent include leaves that appear wrinkled, shriveled, or dry, often starting from the bottom leaves. The plant may also feel lighter than usual. The solution involves a thorough soaking of the soil using the “soak and dry” method. After a deep watering, the leaves should plump up within a few days.
Etiolation (Legginess)
Etiolation is characterized by a succulent stretching out, with elongated stems and widely spaced, often paler leaves. This occurs when the plant is not receiving enough light and is actively searching for a light source. To correct etiolation, move the succulent to a brighter location where it can receive adequate sunlight. The stretched growth will not revert, but new growth will be more compact. Severely etiolated plants can sometimes be “beheaded” by cutting the top rosette and propagating it as a stem cutting.
Sunburn
Despite their love for sun, succulents can get sunburned, especially if moved too quickly from a lower-light environment to intense direct sun. Sunburn manifests as brown, black, or bleached spots or patches on the leaves. To prevent this, gradually acclimate succulents to increased light exposure over a period of 1-2 weeks. Once a leaf is sunburned, the damage is permanent, but the plant can recover and produce new, healthy growth if protected from further scorching.
Pests
Several pests can affect succulents, with mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, and scale insects being common culprits. Mealybugs appear as white, cotton-like masses, often in leaf axils or on stems, while aphids are small, soft-bodied insects clustering on new growth. Spider mites create fine webbing and tiny brown dots, and scale insects look like small bumps.
For treatment, isolate affected plants. Mild infestations can often be controlled by wiping pests with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays can also be effective, applied according to product instructions. Ensuring good airflow and avoiding overwatering can help prevent pest issues.
Discoloration
Beyond issues like rot or sunburn, succulents can exhibit other forms of discoloration. Some succulents develop vibrant stress colors—pinks, reds, oranges, or purples—when exposed to more intense light, cooler temperatures, or periods of drought, which is a natural and often desired response. Yellowing leaves that are not mushy might indicate nutrient deficiencies, though this is less common in succulents due to their low nutrient requirements. It can also be a sign of overwatering or simply the natural aging process of older leaves at the base of the plant.