Succulents, plants that store water in their fleshy leaves or stems, have become popular for their diverse appearances and reputation for being low-maintenance. This water-storing ability requires a specific, often counter-intuitive care regimen compared to typical foliage houseplants. Successfully cultivating these resilient plants involves understanding and mimicking their native arid environments, especially concerning light, water, and soil.
Essential Light Requirements
Succulents require light exposure to perform photosynthesis and maintain their compact, vibrant forms. Most varieties thrive with a minimum of six hours of bright light daily, though this light must be filtered, especially indoors. Placing plants in a south-facing window is the best indoor location, as it provides the longest duration of intense light throughout the day.
Insufficient light quickly leads to etiolation, where the plant stretches unnaturally toward the nearest light source. This causes the stem to become elongated and pale, with leaves widely spaced instead of forming a tight rosette. While etiolation cannot be reversed, it signals the need to move the plant to a brighter spot or supplement with a dedicated grow light.
Succulents can suffer from sunburn if moved too quickly from a low-light environment into direct, intense sunlight. Sunburn appears as irreversible brown or white scorched patches on the leaves. When transitioning a plant, gradually increase its sun exposure over several weeks to allow the plant’s cells to acclimate to the higher light intensity.
The Art of Watering Succulents
Overwatering is the most common cause of succulent failure, yet these plants require substantial water when thirsty. The primary method of succulent irrigation is the “soak and dry” technique. This involves thoroughly saturating the soil until water flows freely from the drainage hole, followed by a period where the soil is allowed to dry out completely.
Before watering, insert a finger at least an inch into the soil or use a moisture meter to ensure the medium is fully dry. Watering too soon keeps the roots constantly moist, leading to rot. The frequency of this cycle depends on environmental factors like light, temperature, and airflow, ranging from once a week to once a month.
Visual cues from the plant are the most accurate indicators of hydration. An overwatered succulent displays soft, mushy, and often translucent leaves that may turn yellow and drop off. Underwatering results in leaves that appear shriveled, wrinkled, or puckered as the plant draws on its stored moisture.
Choosing the Right Growing Medium
The watering requirements of succulents necessitate a specialized growing medium that facilitates rapid drainage. Standard potting soil is too dense and retains too much moisture, leading to root rot. To replicate the gritty, fast-draining soils of their natural habitats, the medium must contain a high percentage of inorganic material.
A suitable succulent mix is composed of a small amount of organic potting soil blended with a large volume of amendments like perlite, pumice, or coarse grit. These materials increase the soil’s porosity, ensuring that water passes through quickly and air can circulate around the roots. Aim for a mix that is at least 50% inorganic material to prevent compaction and moisture retention.
The container choice is as important as the soil composition for moisture management. All pots must have a drainage hole at the bottom to allow excess water to escape immediately. Porous materials like unglazed terracotta are preferred because they allow water to evaporate through the pot’s sides, helping the soil dry out faster than plastic or glazed ceramic containers.
Seasonal Care and Repotting
Succulents are not active growers year-round; they undergo periods of rest that require a shift in care routines. Most common indoor succulents are “summer growers,” actively growing in spring and summer, and resting in the cooler winter months. Conversely, some varieties are “winter growers” and slow down during the heat of summer.
During dormancy, the plant conserves energy and its water needs decrease, often requiring only minimal water every few weeks to prevent desiccation. Knowing your plant’s growth cycle is important to avoid overwatering during its rest period. Temperature also affects dormancy, with most summer growers preferring temperatures between 60°F and 85°F during their active season.
Repotting is necessary every two to three years, or when the plant has outgrown its container. The best time to repot is just before the plant enters its active growing season, typically spring for summer growers. Repotting allows you to refresh the depleted soil and inspect the roots for signs of rot or to gently untangle pot-bound roots.
When repotting, select a container that is only slightly larger than the previous one, and use fresh, fast-draining soil. Succulents require very little fertilizer, but you can apply a highly diluted, low-nitrogen fertilizer during the peak of the active growing season. Avoid fertilizing during dormancy or immediately after repotting to prevent root burn.