What to Know About Growing Succulents

Succulents are generally considered to be easy, low-maintenance houseplants. However, caring for these little beauties can be challenging at times. Let’s explore some vital aspects of a suitable succulent care routine and discover essential tricks for growing succulents.

When considering how to care for succulents indoors, the most important considerations are light, water, and soil quality. Most succulent plants grow best with bright light, infrequent watering, and well-draining soil.

As long as you can provide the proper environmental conditions, growing succulents indoors is a fun and rewarding project. Read on to discover easy tips on how to take care of succulents and keep them happy and thriving.

How to Care for Succulent Plants

Succulents are drought-tolerant plants that develop fleshy, enlarged leaves and stems for storing water. They often thrive in harsh climates where few other plants are able to survive.

While many succulents are native to desert regions, many also occur in coastal areas. Succulent plant species grow on every continent except Antarctica.

One of the fundamental aspects of taking care of succulents is trying to mimic their natural environment as much as possible. Before choosing which type of succulents to plant, determine the average light and humidity levels in your available space. If you don’t have a sunny, south-facing window available, look for varieties that prefer low light conditions like Mexican Snowball (Echeveria elegans), Ox Tongue (Gasteria prolifera), or Snake Plant/Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (Sansevieria).

Choosing the Perfect Pot for Succulents

The first step to set yourself up for success growing succulents is selecting an appropriate container. Make sure your succulent pot has several drainage holes at the bottom to prevent problems with pest and disease problems.

Terra cotta and ceramic pots usually work best for succulent plants. The porous material is breathable to facilitate air circulation and absorbs excess water, so the soil doesn’t remain oversaturated.

Although clear glass containers are attractive for making planters and terrariums, they’re not ideal for growing succulents. When water accumulates in the bottom and can’t drain, the risk of fungal disease and insect infestation is much greater. In addition, planting them in a container that has high walls or is completely enclosed creates an environment that’s too humid for most succulents.

How Much Water Do Succulents Need?

Watering can often be one of the trickiest parts of succulent plant care. The best way to water succulent plants is deeply and infrequently. It’s critical to ensure that the soil drains quickly and their roots dry out completely between watering.

Another important consideration is that plants use water at varying rates during the different seasons. Their water use depends on the current growing conditions.

In the summertime, when temperatures are warmer and they’re getting more natural sunlight, the plants are more active and use more water. The cooler temperatures and shorter winter days cause the root system to go dormant and consume less water and nutrients.

Therefore, it’s best to avoid watering your plants on a set schedule. Instead, pay attention to your plants’ behavior and care for them accordingly.

Succulents store a significant amount of moisture in their leaves. Therefore, the leaves’ position is one of the most noticeable indicators for when the plant needs more water.

Right after watering, the leaves swell up and appear full and plump. When the plant has used its water reserves, you’ll see the leaves become thinner and sometimes start to pucker or shrivel. That means it’s ready to get watered again.

Another effective way to keep track of the plant’s water usage is by the pot’s weight. Compare the weight of the wet soil to how it feels after drying out.

How Much Light Do Succulents Need?

In general, most succulent species need at least four to six hours of bright light. Certain types, like agave, aloe, and euphorbia, require eight or more hours of bright light each day.

Sometimes, different varieties within the same species prefer different light levels. For example, echeveria varieties with light green or bluish leaves tend to tolerate low light conditions better than cultivars with dark green, purple, or red leaves. Be sure to carefully read the plant label for variety-specific recommendations.

If you’re wondering how to grow succulents without natural light, a grow light is usually necessary. Without enough light, the plants’ stems grow elongated and “leggy” as they try to reach for more light, and the leaves may become stunted. In addition, your succulents won’t flower if they don’t get adequate amounts of light.

Best Potting Soil for Growing Succulents

Not all potting soil is created equal, and for a good reason. Succulents must grow in well-draining soil so that their roots don’t stay wet for too long.

Most garden supply stores sell succulent-specific potting mix. It’s also easy to modify generic potting soil to be succulent-friendly. Mix the potting soil at a 50/50 ratio with pumice, perlite, and/or garden sand to make a DIY succulent blend.

Ideal Fertilizer for Growing Succulents

Succulents usually grow in relatively poor soils in their natural habitats. Therefore, they don’t require as much fertilizer as other houseplants.

Succulents go through a semi-dormant phase during the winter when temperatures are cooler, and they’re receiving less light. During this period, they use less energy and thus need less fertilizer and moisture.

As a general rule, fertilize your succulent plants once or twice per year. Overfertilizing succulents increases the risk of pest and disease issues.

Tips and Tricks for Growing Succulents

Regular pruning helps succulent plants direct their energy toward producing new growth. To avoid accidental damage, it’s best to prune branches at least a quarter-inch above the main stem. Whenever you notice older leaves or branches getting dried out and withered, trim them off using a clean, sharp pair of scissors or garden shears.

Rotating the pot a quarter-turn every few weeks ensures the plant gets a balanced amount of light on all sides, especially if your succulent lives on a windowsill. If you notice the plant leaning toward the light source, turn the pot so that the plant faces a different direction. This movement helps the plant to grow a stronger stem.

Whispering sweet nothings to your plant never hurts, either! “Aloe you vera much” is my personal favorite plant mama mantra.

Do you have suggestions or questions about indoor succulent care? Please post them in the comments! If you found these succulent care tips useful, please share this article with your fellow plant geeks.