When I was first introduced to succulents, I was intrigued by the idea that they were impossible to kill. People were always saying that they were a very low maintenance...
When I was first introduced to succulents, I was intrigued by the idea that they were impossible to kill. People were always saying that they were a very low maintenance plant and that they loved neglect. Hmm, that sounds easy enough.
To further my confusion, often when I heard the term “succulent,” it was commonly grouped with the term“cactus.” There is already a really great article on this site dedicated to explaining therelationship between cacti and succulents, so we won’t go there, but a common thought about cacti is that they never need water. Therefore,in my head, succulents needed little to no water, and instead of watering them, I lightly misted them every once in a while. They love neglect, right? They are low maintenance, right? Hmm...well I hate to break the suspense, but my succulents barely survived this neglect.
So here’s the scoop on watering and misting:
*Water:Drown your succulents in water once the soil is dry. Soak them to the point that water comes out of the bottom of the pot. If you have a catch pan, empty any left over 
water that collects in the pan. Unglazed, porous pots with drainage holes are the way to go (think terracotta pots). They allow your succulents to breathe, and they will thank you!
*Low Maintenance:In nature, succulents have shallow roots that take in water quickly and store it in their leaves, stems and in the roots themselves for harder times. This is why succulent lovers call them low maintenance. You don’t have to water them every other day like some plants; they are made to store water for longer periods of time. You can go on vacation and rest assured that they will not wither and die. Just keep in mind that when youdowater them, give them a big drink!
*Type of Water:The best type of water to use is rain water or distilled water. Tap water has a lot of minerals that can build up in the soil and even show up on the leaves of the plant.
*Frequency of Watering:How often you water depends on a lot of factors (climate, season, humidity, pot size, pot type, drainage etc). The best rule of thumb is to let the soil dry before you water again. If the soil doesn’t have a chance to dry, or if you leave water in the catch pan, you can cause the roots to rot.To check the moisture in the soil, you can put your finger into the dirt and feel around, or use a Moisture Meter (commonly sold in gardening centers or online and relatively inexpensive).
*Misting:Leave misting for the babes! Full grown succulents don’t actuallyliketo be misted. They thrive in arid climates, so when you mist them, you are changing the humidity around the plant. This can lead to rot as well. Use misting for propagation babes to lightly provide water to their delicate little roots.
Once you get a feel for what your succulents want, they do become relatively low maintenance. If you’re like me, there is a learning curve when you first start out. Don’t give up! For more tips and information, follow my account on Instagram: @HowToSucculents
FAQs
Succulents do better with periodic long, deep drinks that soak its soil to the bottom of the pot than regular but timid waterings that wet the top inch or two of the soil in the container. So when your succulents' soil is bone dry, drench that baby. Let the soil dry out completely, then drench again.
What is the best watering schedule for succulents? ›
How often should I water my succulents? Succulents should be watered only when the soil has dried out completely. There is no universal watering schedule that works for every succulent in every climate. Many indoor succulent growers find that watering 14-21 days is a good frequency to keep their succulents alive.
How often should I water succulents in pots outdoors? ›
Watering about once a week in summer and once a month in winter should do it. Water thoroughly to soak the roots and flush salts. Let soil go nearly (not completely) dry between waterings.
Is it better to water succulents from the bottom or top? ›
Bottom watering is an ideal method for summer care of succulents. During summer, people often need clarification about how to water succulents. Bottom watering succulents after sunset is an efficient method to help succulents survive from overwatering.
Is it better to overwater or underwater succulents? ›
Underwatered. Succulents are super easy going plants that can survive months in drought condition. However, they can rot and die within a few days if given too much water.
What are the rules for watering succulents? ›
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.
Do succulents need direct sunlight? ›
Most succulents do best in bright direct light and need at least 6 hours of natural light per day. But if you only have a shady corner in your home, choose plants like mother-in-law tongue that do well in low light and place them near a south or east-facing window.
How do I know if my succulent needs more water? ›
In fact, water is essential for the plant's health, and just like any other, it will show signs of dehydration. Wrinkled, shriveled leaves are a clear indication that your Succulent needs more water.
Is tap water ok for succulents? ›
Like most outdoor plants, you should water succulents in the morning. Avoid tap water. Use filtered, rain, or distilled water instead. If you must use tap water, leave it out overnight to allow mineral deposits to dissipate naturally.
Can succulents recover from overwatering? ›
Dig the succulent out of the soil and remove excess soil stuck to the roots, cut off any brown/black roots as these are rotten already. Leave the plant on a mesh or any kind of strainer till the roots have air dried from anywhere two to three days. When the roots are dry completely, plant them back in the pot.
Move your succulents to a fully shaded area, and then gradually move them into a place with more sunlight. Also, the morning sun is the best for them to flourish, especially in the hot days. Take all your indoor succulents out for the summer, but watch for the signs of sunburn that include color change or bleaching.
How long do succulents live in pots? ›
Common Succulents and Their Lifespans
| Echeveria | 3-30 Years, Depending on the Plant |
|---|
| Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks) | About 5 Years |
| Aloe | 5-25 Years |
| Christmas Cactus | 30+ Years |
| Living Stones | 40-50 Years |
2 more rowsSucculents that are planted indoors or in the cooler months outdoors will generally require less water. They can go up to 1-3 months of no watering. Indoor succulents will have less exposure to the elements outdoors - wind and sunlight outdoors tend to dry out the soil faster than it does indoors.
How do you water succulents without killing them? ›
Use a large syringe or watering bottle with measurement.
It has measurements on the side that will help you see how much water is inside the bottle. This will make sure you don't overwater your plant and be sure to only wet the soil, not the leaves.
Should I submerge my succulent in water? ›
A method of watering called “water therapy” is also a popular practice to water succulents. This process involves submerging the entire potted succulent plant in another container of water for a period of time, and is getting popular on TikTok, as seen in this video by @passiononplants.
water that collects in the pan. Unglazed, porous pots with drainage holes are the way to go (think terracotta pots). They allow your succulents to breathe, and they will thank you!
To check the moisture in the soil, you can put your finger into the dirt and feel around, or use a Moisture Meter (commonly sold in gardening centers or online and relatively inexpensive).