Succulents are popular, low-maintenance plants known for storing water. Despite their hardiness, they can attract various animals, from large mammals to small garden dwellers. Identifying the culprits is key to protecting your succulent collection.
Mammalian Pests
Deer are significant culprits in succulent damage, often taking large bites and even uprooting entire plants. Lacking upper front teeth, their browsing leaves ragged, torn edges on stems and foliage. They typically target new growth and succulent parts. Their presence can also be indicated by hoof prints and droppings.
Rabbits also pose a threat to succulents, especially young plants, and can clip off stems cleanly, leaving a 45-degree angled cut. They tend to gnaw on older woody growth and can strip bark from plants. Distinctive round droppings in the immediate area can signal rabbit activity.
Squirrels are known for their destructive habits, often chewing and digging through gardens. They can take large, jagged chunks out of succulent leaves and cacti, and may uproot plants entirely. They may also dig around plants to bury nuts and seeds, sometimes damaging roots in the process.
Gophers spend most of their lives underground, creating extensive tunnel systems that can lead directly to plant roots. They consume roots and other underground plant parts, causing plants to wilt or die as if from lack of water. Gophers can also pull entire plants underground into their tunnels or venture out to chew on vegetation above ground. Their activity is often identified by fan-shaped mounds of soil, which typically lack a visible entry hole directly in the center.
Rats and mice are opportunistic feeders that will nibble on succulent foliage and can cause significant damage. Mice, in particular, may bite leaves, especially those of Haworthias and “living stone” succulents, leaving behind mangled or disfigured plants. If you see chew marks or dug-up plants, or notice disappearing small succulents, rodents could be the cause.
Smaller Critters
Snails and slugs are common garden pests that directly consume plant tissue. They are particularly active during damp conditions or at night, as they prefer moist environments. These mollusks feed by scraping away at leaves and stems, creating irregular holes and ragged edges on succulent foliage. Their presence is often revealed by the shiny, silvery slime trails they leave behind as they move across plants and surfaces. Snails can be found clinging to the sides of plant containers or hidden beneath fleshy succulent leaves.
Identifying Damage
Cleanly clipped stems, often at a 45-degree angle, are a strong indicator of rabbit activity. In contrast, deer, lacking upper incisors, leave behind ragged, torn edges on leaves and stems. Large bites and uprooted plants often point to deer browsing. Jagged tear marks and deep wounds in succulent leaves suggest squirrel damage, as they can take substantial chunks out of plants.
If entire plants are missing or appear to be pulled underground, gophers are a likely suspect. Their activity is also associated with distinct soil mounds and tunnels. Bitten leaves or disfigured plants, especially smaller ones, can be a sign of mice or rat feeding. The presence of small droppings near the plants can further confirm rodent activity. Irregular holes in leaves, particularly with a scraped or rasped appearance, combined with silvery, dried trails, are characteristic signs of snail and slug damage.
Protecting Your Succulents
Protecting succulents from animal pests involves a combination of strategies to deter them. Physical barriers, such as fencing, are often the most effective method, especially for larger animals like deer and rabbits. Fences should be tall enough to prevent deer from jumping over, typically around seven feet high, and secured at the bottom to prevent rabbits from burrowing underneath. For smaller plants or containers, netting or wire mesh cages can provide localized protection.
Repellents can also be used to discourage animals from feeding. Taste-based repellents make plants unpalatable, often containing ingredients like garlic, eggs, or capsaicin from chili peppers. Scent-based repellents, with strong odors that animals dislike, signal an undesirable area. These repellents require consistent reapplication, especially after rain or watering, to maintain their effectiveness. Modifying the habitat around your succulents can also reduce pest attraction. Removing potential hiding spots for rodents, such as dense brush or debris, can make the area less appealing. For thirsty animals like squirrels, providing an alternative water source, like a bird bath, might divert their attention from water-storing succulents.