Succulents are known for their resilience and ability to thrive in arid environments. This hardiness relies on an innate survival strategy called dormancy. Dormancy is a temporary state of metabolic rest that allows plants to endure periods when environmental conditions are unfavorable for active growth. Understanding this resting phase is fundamental to providing the correct seasonal care and ensuring the plant’s long-term health.
Understanding Succulent Dormancy
Dormancy is a biological mechanism where the plant’s growth and physical activity slow down significantly. It is triggered by external stressors like extreme heat, cold, or drought. This state is a metabolic slowdown where the plant minimizes internal functions to conserve energy and stored moisture.
During dormancy, the plant shifts energy toward maintaining its existing structure rather than producing new cells or leaves. Growth virtually ceases, allowing the succulent to survive until moderate temperatures and adequate moisture return. Recognizing this shift is paramount, as care requirements change drastically to support this survival mode.
Classifying Dormancy by Season
The timing of dormancy is not universal among succulents, leading to two main categories based on their preferred growing season. This classification is directly tied to the climate of their native habitats.
Summer Dormant Succulents (Winter Growers)
These succulents originate from regions with intensely hot and dry summers, making cooler, wetter months ideal for growth. They are often called “winter growers” because their active period spans fall, winter, and spring. When the high heat of summer arrives, usually in late spring, they enter dormancy to protect themselves from desiccation. Genera that follow this pattern include Aeonium, Senecio, and many species of Crassula.
Winter Dormant Succulents (Summer Growers)
Conversely, winter-dormant succulents thrive during the warmer periods of the year, actively growing through spring, summer, and fall. Their rest period is induced by the cold temperatures of winter, slowing metabolism to prevent damage from frost and low light. Most popular succulents fall into this category, including Echeveria, Sedum, and Cacti. Even these summer growers may experience a minor slowdown, or “mini-dormancy,” during the hottest part of mid-summer.
Recognizing the Signs of Dormancy
A succulent displays several observable cues when entering dormancy, signaling the need for care adjustments. The most telling sign is the visible halting of new growth, with no new leaves or stem elongation occurring over an extended period.
The foliage appearance changes as the plant conserves water. Leaves might appear slightly deflated, less plump, or shriveled due to reduced water uptake. In rosette-forming varieties, the center may contract inward, pulling the leaves tighter together.
Some species exhibit color changes, with stress coloration becoming more pronounced or the overall color dulling. Certain varieties, like specific Senecio species, may shed their lower leaves entirely, developing a papery covering to insulate and protect the stem from harsh environmental conditions.
Adjusting Care During Dormancy
The most important care adjustment during dormancy is water management. While active growth demands regular hydration, the dormant plant’s slowed metabolism uses very little water, making overwatering the greatest risk.
For winter-dormant, summer-growing plants, watering must be drastically reduced, often to once a month or less, or even stopped entirely if the plant is kept in a cool environment. The goal is only to provide enough moisture to keep the roots from completely drying out. Conversely, summer-dormant, winter-growing plants still require minimal water during the heat to keep their roots cool, though significantly less than their active-season schedule.
Fertilization should be completely paused for all dormant succulents. The plant’s metabolic machinery cannot efficiently process nutrients, and introducing fertilizer can damage the roots or encourage weak growth. Light levels should remain consistent to provide energy for basic survival functions. However, protection from environmental extremes, such as freezing temperatures or intense, scorching summer sun, is necessary.