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Succulents have an amazing adaptation: They store water in their leaves and stems. For this reason, many succulents make great indoor plants. Having adapted to places with sparse rainfall and poor soil, they actually do better when slightly neglected.
As you may have learned by experience, too much watering equals death for many houseplants. This is doubly true for succulents. But if you don't water them reliably, they won't grow much. They may become sparse and wither away until they die. This is how often you should water your indoor succulents to keep them healthy and thriving.
How Often To Water Succulents
Indoor succulents should be watered once a week to once a month. Factors like soil drainage, light exposure, and the season of the year can significantly affect the watering schedule. As a general guideline, most succulents do best on this schedule:
- In spring and summer, water succulents every one to two weeks.
- In fall and winter, water succulents every two to four weeks.
More people tend to overwater succulents, which leads to rot and ultimately the collapse of your plant. Rather than setting a date on your calendar to water, plan to check the soil moisture once a week. At least the top 2 inches of soil should feel bone dry before you water. You can stick your finger in the soil or use a wooden chopstick to check for moisture. If you're not sure whether you should water, wait a couple of days and check on your plant again. You can also look for the following signs that it's time to water.
Related: 13 Houseplants That Don’t Need Much Water To Thrive
How To Know Your Succulent Needs Water
Again, it's better to err on the side of underwatering rather than overwatering succulents. Here are the factors to consider when deciding if it's time to water your plant.
Signs Of Dehydration
Many succulents show clear signs of dehydration. This includes puckering, wrinkled leaves, shriveled brown leaves, and brown tips on leaves. Wilting and drooping don't usually indicate underwatering—in fact, these are more often a sign you've gone overboard with watering, especially if the leaves are mushy, pale, or diseased. If the soil is already moist, don't assume that more water will help your plant. Give it time to plump back up and return to health.
Light Exposure
Plants dry out more quickly in bright light than they do in shade. Indoor succulents grow best when placed in a windowsill, but the direction it faces matters. A north-facing window doesn't get much direct light at all, while an east-facing window receives morning sun. A south or west-facing window will let in sunshine during the brightest time of day (that is, unless a tree or large shrub shades the window). Try to place your succulents in a window where they get direct light for a few hours each day, and water them less frequently if they don't.
Seasonal Growth Patterns
Succulents usually grow quickly in spring and slow down in either summer or winter, depending on the species and how it has adapted to its environment. Since temperature won't be a trigger for your indoor plants, they may have a more subtle response to the seasons. Slow down watering in winter when plants have less exposure to bright light. Depending on the plant, this could be every two to four weeks. Step up watering to every week or two while succulents are actively growing. You'll know this is happening when new leaves or stems start to form on your plants.
Soil Drainage
A potting mix that contains organic matter will dry out slowly because compost soaks up water like a sponge. Most cactus and succulent potting mixes are made with lightweight, fast-draining materials. If you amend your potting mix with coarse sand, it will dry out even more quickly. Water succulents planted in a sandy potting mix a little more frequently.
How To Water Succulents
You can water most succulents from above, but you don't want to get the leaves and the crown wet because this promotes disease and rot. Never mist a succulent with a spray bottle.
You can water the plant while it sits in a large saucer or place it in the sink. Use a watering can with a narrow spout and water at the base of the plant under the leaves. Once you see water running out of the bottom of the pot, stop. After a few minutes, empty any water sitting in the saucer.
If it's difficult to water your succulent without getting the crown wet, bottom water instead. Place the pot in a tray filled with an inch or two of water. Let the plant soak for 15-30 minutes, or until you see moisture reach the top of the soil. Then remove the pot and place it back on its saucer. If any water seeps out of the pot into the saucer, make sure to dump it out.
Read the original article on Southern Living
