QA

Quick Answer: How Often Should I Water Indoor Succulents

Indoor succulent plants should likely be watered approximately once a week. They need enough time to store the water in their leaves and for the soil to dry out between waterings.

How do you know when a succulent needs water?

A well watered succulent will have plump, firm leaves. When you squeeze them between your fingers there should be very little give. If they are soft then they probably need watering. Another sure sign is wrinkled leaves, when they are feeling thirsty their leaves pucker and wrinkle.

Do indoor succulents need water?

Succulents need a surprising amount of water to thrive. However, they don’t like to be watered as frequently as most indoor plants. Lightly spraying succulents with water can help them survive for a period of time, but if you really want to thrive, they need to follow the “soak and dry” method.

How often should I water my succulent?

How often should I water my succulent? You should water your succulents every other week during non-winter months when temperatures are above 40 degrees. During the winter time (when temperatures are below 40 degrees) you should only water your succulent once a month because it is dormant during this time.

How do you know if your succulent is dry?

The dryness of your soil can be gauged by using a moisture meter, or by simply sticking a dry chopstick into the soil. If wet dirt sticks to the chopstick, the succulents do not need to be watered. Another option is to get dirty and use your finger.

Do succulents need direct sunlight?

Despite widespread belief, most succulents do not thrive if blasted with the hottest temps and the fullest sun exposure. While they appreciate a lot of light (and very few survive in full shade), most succulents need sun protection, especially if the temperature hits the 90-degree-mark, or if they’re small.

Where do you keep succulents in your house?

Place the potted succulent in a sunny location. Most succulents prefer at least 6 hours of sun per day, so try to place them near a south- or east-facing window. You may notice your succulents becoming spindly or stretching toward the light if they don’t get enough sun.

Can succulents live inside without sunlight?

Yes, they will. Succulents can survive without any light whatsoever for short periods. How long will depend on the particular species, but in general, if they are in a place with minimal or no light, most succulents will live without deteriorating too much for 10-14 days.

How do you water indoor succulents?

The best way to water succulents is with the “soak and dry” method. Soak the soil completely then let the soil dry out completely before watering again. And make sure the succulents are in a well draining soil in a pot with a drainage hole (more on that in a minute).

How do you water a potted succulent?

The most important rule for watering succulents is this: Only water when the soil in the succulents’ growing container is bone dry. We repeat, let the soil dry out completely between waterings. If the soil isn’t crumbly, dry dirt, don’t water it. See, most houseplants want their soil moist at all times.

Can succulents grow in shade?

Most cacti and succulents are easy to care for, requiring very little care. Browse our list of succulents and cacti that do well in shade. While some need shade to thrive, most are merely ‘shade tolerant’. That is, they thrive in well-lit rooms out of direct sunlight, but can cope with lower light levels.

What is the best time of day to water succulents?

During the summer, the best time of day to water your succulents is in the early morning before temperatures rise. By avoiding watering in the afternoon when temperatures are at their peak, you avoid having hot water sit in the crown of your plant, potentially burning the plant.

Can a succulent come back from overwatering?

Yes. If you lost a lot of leaves from overwatering, the plant will eventually recover as long as it is not rotting. When given a chance to dry out, you will soon notice new growth or tiny leaves along the stems. You will also notice new growth from the sides, the top, or even the bottom of the plant.

Can you use ice cubes to water succulents?

When watering any plant you will want to make sure water is neither too hot nor too cold as this can damage the roots. Room temperature is your best friend. So to sum it up, do not use ice cubes for any plant, ever. Specifically, succulents will not appreciate it.

How do I know if my soil is wet or dry?

Insert a trowel into the soil, then tilt the trowel to check the moisture of garden plants. You can also insert a wooden dowel into the soil to determine the depth of soil moisture. If the dowel comes out clean, the soil is dry. Damp soil will cling to the dowel.

Should I pull dead leaves off succulents?

Succulent Growth And though most succulents can seal off damaged parts, it is always good to quickly remove broken, diseased, or dead leaves, stems and flower stalks. Because new growth typically sprouts near the end of cut ends, simply prune stems to where you want new growth to emerge.

How much direct sunlight do succulents need?

Succulents love light and need about six hours of sun per day, depending on the type of succulent. Newly planted succulents can scorch in direct sunlight, so you may need to gradually introduce them to full sun exposure or provide shade with a sheer curtain.

How do I know if my succulent needs more sun?

When succulents are getting the right amount of sun they’ll often “blush” or change colors. This is such a beautiful transformation to see! If they start to get too much sun however the leaves will actually burn. You may begin to notice white or pale patches on the succulent leaves.

Can succulents get too much sun?

While plants need sunlight to perform photosynthesis, some plants can get too much sunlight. While some succulents can be planted in bright sunlight, not all can handle full sun (defined as 6+ hours of direct sunlight per day) or can suffer in too much sunlight.