If you've had your succulent a while, you may eventually notice some aerial roots or air roots forming along the stem. While this isn't a major problem, it is a sign your succulent needs attention. Find out how to help it below.
I'm guessing you're here because you've found some roots growing from the stem of your succulent, right?
The good news is your succulent is going to be ok. It just needs some extra attention.
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Before I get too far in, people frequently ask if aerial roots are a sign their succulent needs water. It can be, and I'll get to that in the post.
But tohelp you even further, start by downloading myfree cheat sheetto see what it looks like when your succulents need more or less water.Click here to grab that that, it'll be super helpful.
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First off, it's probably helpful to know what aerial roots are. Basically, they are just roots that grow on the stem of your succulent rather than in the soil.They are usually pink or white.
Generally aerial roots will form on a succulent that isn't getting enough water and often when it's in a humid environment. Succulents absorb water through their roots from the surrounding air.
That is why having asoil with large particlesis really important for the health of your succulent.
If you aren't using theproper watering techniquefor your succulent, it may not be getting enough water and will start to “search” for more. This is when aerial roots start to form.
Your succulent is simply telling you it is thirsty and needs a deeper watering.
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Notice how theseCrassula rupestrisare extremely dried up at the bottom and have put out a lot of new air roots.
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This plant is also verystretched outdue to lack of sunlight. Lack of sunlight can sometimes cause a succulent to put out air roots.
While this isn't always the case, it is more likely for a succulent to send off aerial roots when it is starting to stretch out.
Do all succulents grow aerial roots?
Nope. It tends to be the succulents with a stem, such asEcheveriasor tenderSedums. Generally you won't see aerial roots onHaworthiasorAloes.
Also, if you are watering correctly, you likely won't see aerial roots at all.
You are more likely to encounter air roots with succulents that grow quickly and are in their active growing season. For example, thisGraptoveria ‘Fred Ives'andGraptopetalum hybrid grow quite quickly and tend to stretch out easily if they don't get enough light.
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What should I do about the air roots?
You don't need to remove the roots, although you can if they are getting too unsightly. However, be sure towater your succulent more deeply(not necessarily more often) and make sure it is getting plenty of light.
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If you leave the roots attached, they may eventually harden or thicken and look like a small branch. This is normal.
While aerial roots aren't a huge problem, they are something you should be aware of so you know how to adjust the care of your succulent. This is an early warning sign that your succulent isn't as healthy as it could be.
And remember, if you haven't already, be sure to download myfree cheat sheetto see what it looks like when your succulents need more or less water.Click here to get the cheat sheet.
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Aerial roots are a sign that your succulent isn't getting all of the water or nutrients it needs from the soil alone. So, if you spot aerial roots on your succulents, it may be due to a lack of sunlight, underwatering, or an increase in humidity.
Yes, succulents that don't get sufficient water will not only lead their leaves to look shriveled but also trigger them to send out aerial roots in search of more moisture.
If the leaves of a plant are glossy and bright, even if they are just plain green, the plant is healthy and gets enough light and water. But succulents can sometimes look washed out and old, with dull leaves, and this is usually a sign that they could use some more sun.
Providing support for the aerial roots is especially important if you have plants growing near a wall because otherwise, they are likely to start latching onto the wall, causing paint to chip and other damage.
They are usually white or pink and can seem to appear quite suddenly. Aerial roots are not a great sign, they show that your succulent is struggling a little. The good news is, with a little care, it is usually quite easy to put things right again. First and foremost check that your succulent is getting enough water.
Succulents love light and need about six hours of sun per day, depending on the type of succulent. Though most varieties of succulents will not survive with full shade, they also don't need to be blasted with hot rays all day, so a sheer curtain can help ensure they get some shade too.
Low light succulents are happy with indirect morning sun to afternoon sun. This means that if you don't have a super sunny South facing window, a lower light succulent can still be happy in your home.
Try areas with dappled light or a spot that gets morning sun and afternoon shade. Succulent types listed as needing full sun should be outdoors in direct sun for at least five hours per day. All the succulents at Mountain Crest Gardens have more than one of these tags as their "Recommended Light Conditions".
Aerial roots are common on epiphytes, philodendrons, pothos, and Christmas cactus. Advantage: usually form in humid low light conditions, can be used to get the plant to better lighting, are very strong and hold tight to what they are attached to. Disadvantage: damage the mortar between bricks on homes.
Mature plants can sprout thick aerial roots that grow to be several feet. If you prefer a sleek appearance, it's absolutely fine to trim these roots off close to the stem; just make sure you use sterilized, sharp shears to prevent the risk of spreading disease.
Aerial roots on houseplant cuttings increase the chances of successful propagation. The presence of aerial roots is not an indicator of plant health. If a plant does not have aerial roots, that is no reason for concern.
Signs of healthy succulents include vibrant colors, firm leaves, and slow growth. Succulents are not meant to grow quickly. So although this may seem like a red flag, this is actually a great sign. Additionally, dried leaves may occasionally be found at the bottom of your succulent but this is also a great sign.
Your best bet for succulents is to water thoroughly, but less often. Succulents like to dry out between waterings and hate having their roots continuously wet. This is the rule whether the plants are indoors or outdoors. Stay away from ineffective misting that can encourage unhealthy bacteria.
An underwatered succulent will have soil that feels dry and leaves with brown tips, dry, and will start to curl, drop, or even drop. An overwatered succulent, on the other hand, will have yellowing leaves, browning tips, and also wilting (with wet or soggy soil).
Runners. Some succulents, like Echeveria prolifica, produce long stems with roots that spread out along the soil surface and have little plants growing from the end . These are known as runners and allow the succulent to propagate itself through vegetative growth. Runners can take root anywhere along their length.
Low light can cause the plant to send out aerial roots in an attempt to absorb more sunlight. If this is the case, moving the plant into brighter sunlight may diminish the growth of aerial roots. Similarly, the plant may develop aerial roots because it is reaching out to find more water or nutrients.
The crowding will actually stunt their growth. The growing roots will grow and become tangled with other roots. Eventually the roots will take over the entire pot - we call this root-bound. This triggers the plant to stop growing.
Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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