Succulents are a diverse collection of decorative plants with thick fleshy leaves. Succulents thrive in bright sunlight and are most successful in indoor settings. Succulent plants may thrive for many years without much supervision if they are placed in a sunny windowsill. Several succulent species can tolerate temperatures as low as 40°F (4°C) and as high as 90°F (32°C) outdoors.
How to care for succulents: Succulents should be placed where they get the most light. When the well-draining loamy potting mix dries, it should be waterlogged. Between 65°F and 80°F (18°C and 27°C), succulent plants flourish. Throughout the growing season, feed your plant every month with a weak balanced houseplant fertilizer.
The succulent class contains hundreds of species of plants. It’s impossible to characterize all of the delicious species due to their broad variety. Certain species may grow to be as tall as 10 to 52-foot-tall (3 – 16 m) cacti. Succulents with fleshy, spiked leaves are small to medium-sized plants that grow indoors. All types of succulents are well-known for their love of sunlight and minimal watering requirements.
Flowers bloom from drought-tolerant plants. Cacti and succulent plants produce tiny flowers on the ends of long stems even when they’re indoors. Aloe vera, echeveria, jade plants, and a few hoya species are examples of flowering succulents. But, for their succulent leaves and minimal care requirements, most people grow succulents indoors.
Do Succulents Need Sun?
Succulents need six hours of daily bright, filtered sunlight to survive. Although some succulent species can tolerate a little bit of direct sunlight, the vast majority require filtered light. On a windowsill or in the brightest corner of an workplace, succulents grow best. Since they adapt to a variety of indoor situations, some succulent species can thrive in low light. Remember, however, that adequate light is preferable than scorching or dampness when it comes to succulent care.
You’ll find out the finest care regimen for sustaining succulents at home and in your garden by reading this article. At the conclusion of the care guide, you’ll find answers to your questions about maintaining indoor succulent plants. Succulents that require bright indirect light will take up to six hours of exposure.
How to Care for Succulents
Succulents are popular plants for succulent gardens or open terrariums because they are so easy to care for. Succulents may thrive in a bright location on sandy soil even if they are watered on occasion. It’s vital, however, to follow a few guidelines and advice for caring for succulents if you want these fleshy-leaved plants to thrive.
How to Water Succulent Houseplants
Only water succulents when the soil has completely dried out. To keep succulents alive, they must be watered on a regular basis. Give the soil a thorough drenching every time you water the plant, until the drainage holes pour out. Before giving the soil another soaking, wait as long as necessary for it to dry again.
Prick your finger into the soil to determine when it is time to water your succulent; the soil should feel dry. Make sure the drainage hole’s soil is equally dry. Succulents and cacti should be watered using the soak-and-dry technique. The frequency with which you need to water indoor succulents is influenced by a variety of factors. When it comes to watering frequency, here are a few things to remember:
- Pot size—Moisture lasts longer in bigger pots than in little ones. As a result, to help keep them alive, always grow succulents in the suitable size of container.
- Type of pot—Soil moisture dissipates quicker from unglazed clay and terracotta pots than it does from plastic or ceramic ones.
- Potting soil—Inorganic material in light, aerated soil drains quicker and dries faster than denser soil.
- Climate—In hot, dry climates, you must water cacti and succulents more often than in the winter.
- Succulent species—Succulent species vary in how much they need to be watered. Desert succulents, for example, are more drought tolerant than other types of succulents.
The Best Potting Soil for Growing Succulents Indoors
Succulents don’t need a great deal of water since they thrive in sandy soil that dries quickly. One-part organic material and one-part perlite, coarse sand, or pumice is the ideal potting mix for succulents. A crushed granite, bark, or tiny pebbles substrate may be used in another suitable combination.
Succulent roots need a suitable potting medium that will hold just enough moisture to nourish them. However, it shouldn’t be so wet that it causes root rot or fungal diseases to the plant. Inorganic materials also aid enough oxygen to flow through the soil and keep your succulent healthy, thanks to the air pockets they form.
Succulent potting soil, of course, must be contained in the proper container. Since they allow more moisture to escape, succulents do better in terracotta pots. The bottom of the container must have drainage holes, whether it’s made of plastic or terracotta.
Indoor Temperature for Succulent Plants
Grow succulents in an average room temperature range of 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C) to ensure that they are cared for properly. You shouldn’t have to worry about temperatures indoors as long as they are protected from intense heat or rapid temperature changes. Succulent species may survive between 50°F and 55°F (10°C and 12°C). Succulents in most cases prefer chilly climates during the winter.
Remember that nighttime temperatures in deserts may drop to around 0°F (-18°C) where many succulents thrive outdoors. As a result, succulents may be cultivated in a bright outdoor rock garden. It may be difficult to keep certain succulents alive in colder indoor temperatures. The plants may be susceptible to root rot due to cold temperatures and high humidity.
Humidity for Indoor Succulents
Succulents grow best in arid, dry environments with minimal humidity. They can live in dry, arid conditions because their leaves are a reservoir of moisture. Succulents are simple to maintain at home because household air is dry. Dry air is perfect for growing most succulent plants since it encourages moisture to evaporate quickly from the soil.
Excessive moisture is harmful to succulent development in many circumstances. Succulents are best grown in conditions that include little air circulation, cold room temperatures, and high humidity. As a result, avoid succulent plants and place them in a sunny spot with moderate temperatures.
How Much Light do Succulents Need?
Succulents prefer natural or artificial light with plenty of indirect light for optimum growth. If the plants grow on a south-facing windowsill, it’s important to screen the light since most succulents can’t stomach direct sunlight. For optimum succulent plant development, aim for around six hours of bright light every day.
You may keep your indoor succulent garden on an east-facing windowsill if you have one. The plants are energized for healthy development by the early morning sun. Make sure you place your open succulent terrarium behind a sheer curtain to filter sunlight if you have it beside a west or south window.
Succulents are low-light houseplants that come in some varieties. Growth, on the other hand, will not be ideal even under these conditions. Signs that succulents aren’t receiving enough light might be visible. Poor lighting, for example, causes stretching toward light, sluggish development, and pale leaves.
Succulents thrive in the sun but struggle in the shade. Their development is also impacted by too much direct sunlight. Succulent leaves can burn when exposed to the intense rays of the sun, resulting in brown markings. To eliminate the faulty region, you must cut the leaf in these circumstances.
Fertilizing Succulent Houseplants
During the growing season, you may feed your indoor succulents once every month. Apply a diluted, balanced fertilizer at one-quarter strength if you decide to apply fertilizer. For best results, fertilize monthly or less often during the growing season. During the winter months, don’t feed succulents.
Succulents are generally slow-growing plants. As a result, fertilizer mineral buildup may have an impact on their development. Flushing out residue chemicals with a regular, thorough soaking may help. To remove excess mineral salts from the soil, you should flush it once a year. Run water through the potting mix for two minutes, allowing it to drain completely before doing so.
Propagating Succulents
Succulent cutting is a great way to start your propagation. Propagation of succulents varies depending on the species because there are so many types. Leaf or stem cuttings work well for most succulents, but some require separating the roots. You may readily propagate new succulents from cuttings no matter what kind you grow at home.
Succulent propagation from plantlets—Plantlets, or baby plants on the mother plant, are produced by several succulents, such as mother of thousands. Carefully remove the tiny “baby” plants and pot them in an appropriate soil mix to promote these succulents.
Succulent propagation from stem cuttings – Using clean sharp pruners, cut the succulent stems to the desired length and remove the lower leaves. Before putting the cuttings in the garden, allow the stem to heal off at the cut end for up to two weeks on a paper towel. A callus will develop on the soft tissue to keep the wound from becoming infected. Plant the succulent in the proper potting soil when new roots develop.
Succulent propagation from leaf cuttings—You may simply remove leaves from most succulent species to reproduce them. Let the leaves dry out and develop roots after you’ve removed them from the plant. Place them on a paper towel or dry soil. To grow a new succulent plant, replant it in a pot.
Succulent propagation from plant division—Remove the pot from a big succulent. Plant in a new pot with fresh potting mix and gently ease sections of the root apart.
Repotting Indoor Succulent Plants
Repot succulents every two years in the early stages of the growing season. Repotting allows you to check for root rot as well as refresh the potting soil. Just before the growing season begins, transfer succulents to new containers. Remember that some succulent plants bloom in the fall, while others bloom in the spring. The following are some signs that succulents need repotting:
- The roots protrude from the holes in this tree.
- Water drainage is slower than normal.
- Poor growth
- Overwatering is evident on the succulent.
Gently remove a succulent from its existing pot to repot it in a fresh pot. Remove the roots and shake any excess soil away to check for signs of root rot. Trim off the dead or dying roots. Transfer to a fresh potting soil-filled bigger container.
Pests and Diseases That Can Affect Succulent Growth
Mealybugs, spider mites, fungus gnats, and scale are common pests that can infest any kind of succulent. To get rid of houseplant pests as soon as possible, it’s vital to recognize their symptoms. To get rid of succulent pests, use rubbing alcohol or a neem oil solution. The symptoms of succulent pests may be found in these ways:
- Mealybugs—Succulent leaves have little cotton-like growths. Rubbing alcohol should be used to remove it.
- Spider mites—Apart from the signs of webbing between leaves and stems, these pests are difficult to detect.
- Fungus gnats—Only water your plant when the growing medium is totally dry, since gnats thrive in damp soil.
- Scale—On the thick fleshy leaves, these insects appear as little brown spots. Apply alcohol to get rid of these pests.
How to Care for Succulents Outdoors
Succulents make fantastic rock garden plants as well as border plants for your garden landscape. Succulents may seem to be heat-loving plants, but they do surprisingly well in cold weather as long as they get enough indirect light. For cultivating succulents outside, consider the following:
Light—In a sunny location with some shade, plant succulents in your yard. In a totally shaded or north-facing yard, outdoor succulents grow poorly.
Appropriate soil in a succulent garden—Succulents need well-draining soil. Dig in a lot of perlite, sand, or gravel to enhance drainage when amending garden soil for succulents.
How to water succulents outdoors—Plants that can go weeks without water are known as succulents. You’ll have to water them every so often, though. Properly hydrate outdoor succulents by watering the soil until it’s moist. Next, leave the soil to completely dry before watering again, for however long it takes.
Succulents can tolerate temperatures as low as 0°F (-18°C) at night and thrive in the outdoors. Succulents prefer temperatures between 60°F and 80°F (15°C and 27°C), depending on the species.
FAQs About Growing Succulents at Home
Are succulent plants toxic?
Succulents in your home are unlikely to harm your pets. Succulents, such as aloe vera, kalanchoe, jade plants, and euphorbia, may cause stomach discomfort if dogs or cats consume the leaves, according to PetMD doctors. As a result, pets should be kept away from these succulents.
Why is my succulent looking withered?
With succulents, insufficient water causes wilting growth. The leaves will be withered, thin, and yellow in color. Succulents need frequent, thorough watering to thrive in all situations, both outdoors and indoors. Even though they are drought tolerant, they need regular care. Give the plant a deep watering to revive a withering succulent plant.
Why are my succulent leaves turning brown?
The succulent’s leaves may brown in response to intense heat or direct sunlight. In the summer, a growing succulent on a south-facing window may cause leaf browning. If the plant was exposed to a radiator in the winter, brown patches on the leaves might be the culprit.
Why are my succulent leaves curling?
Succulent leaves fold down due to root rot caused by overwatering or too much sun. Fortunately, before the plant dies, it is simple to fix these rising problems. Water the plant when the soil is completely dry or until it has recovered in full sunlight.
Do succulents flower?
Indoors and outdoors, succulents bloom when the conditions are right. Succulents need a lot of bright sunlight to bloom. From spring to summer, many succulent cultivars produce flowers. Winter is also the season for other succulent plants like aloe vera, crassula, and Christmas cactus. Sempervivum succulent plants, for example, die after blooming.