Succulents are hardy little plants because they don’t need a lot of water to thrive. The most important rule for watering succulents is: Only water when the soil in the succulent growing container is dry. But how often should you water this resilient plant? How to water? With this easy watering method, you can give your succulents enough water to thrive.
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Factors Affect How Often You Need to Water Succulents
- Season
Most succulents grow wildly in spring and summer, so you’ll need to water them frequently during their active growing season. As they grow new stems, leaves, roots, and flowers, they draw water from the soil at an alarming rate. Depending on conditions like light and temperature, you can water them three times a week. In winter, succulents go dormant. Growth stops, so just water them once or twice throughout the season. One of the easiest ways to kill a succulent is to give it too much water in the winter, so stay away from your watering can from November to March. Let your succulent sleep dry in peace.
- Container size
Larger containers require less watering because they have more soil and hold moisture longer. Small, shallow containers require more frequent watering because the soil dries out faster.
- Amount of light
Succulents that get more than 10 hours of sunlight need more water than succulents that get less light. In general, outdoor plants need more water than indoor plants because they get more sunlight and are exposed to harsher conditions.
- Humidity
Plants in high humidity and cooler temperatures require less frequent watering than plants in hot, dry climates because they retain water for longer. Are your succulents on a sunny patio in Phoenix? Plan to water every day. Are they sunning themselves on decks in San Francisco? You may only need to water once every two weeks
How Often Should You Water Succulents?
Succulents should only be watered when the soil is completely dry. There is no one-size-fits-all watering schedule that works for every succulent in every climate.
Many indoor succulent growers find that watering for 14-21 days is a good frequency to keep succulents alive. Use this timeline as a starting point and adjust as needed.
Related Reading: When to Water Succulents?
How to Water Succulent Plants
Now that you know the factors that influence how often you should water your succulents, here’s how you water them. Yes, there is a right way and a wrong way. Succulents are desert natives, and while their ancestral habitats did not receive much rainfall when it did rain, it poured. Desert rainstorms are monsoons, and water flows out of the sky in flakes. Make your body juicy by drenching it when you water it to mimic rain in the desert. Slowly pour water over it until water comes out of the drainage holes at the bottom. Succulents are best served regularly with a long, deep drink that soaks their soil to the bottom of the pot, rather than regular water for the timid, wetting an inch or two of soil at the top of the container.
So, when your succulent soil is bone dry, soak the baby. Let the soil dry out completely before wetting it. dry. Wet and dry. Get wet Follow this pattern and you’ll get fully watered succulents.
Succulents Indoors
Rather than splashing these water-saving plants everywhere, soak them well until water comes out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Be sure to pour out any excess moisture from the dish under the pot; too much moisture can cause the roots to rot. Then let the soil dry completely before watering. Check the soil a week after watering; if it still feels damp, wait another week.
Succulents need more water in early spring when the plants start to grow actively. Water needs may be reduced in summer and more severe in winter. When light is reduced in winter and most succulents are dormant, they also need less water. In winter, when the soil is dry, water the succulents. This may be infrequent, once a month, but depends on the conditions of your home. The frequency of watering also depends on the size of the container. The larger the container, the more moisture it can hold. Small, shallow pots may need more frequent watering
Succulents in Outdoor Containers
Summer is a great time to move potted succulents outdoors. While they love the sun, placing them in partial shade gives them a chance to acclimate to outdoor conditions before moving to a sunnier location. Keep them out of strong sunlight from late morning until 3 pm. Outdoor plants generally require more water than indoor plants. Again, your conditions will determine how often succulents need water. Start with weekly inspections, noting the condition of the potting soil and whether the soil is dry or still watery. Succulents (and cacti) that grow in shallow containers may need water every few days.
Succulents in the Ground
Succulents that also thrive on the ground. They may need weekly watering, depending on the climate in your area. Established plants have stronger root systems and better tolerance to drought conditions than new plants.
Whether you grow hardy or annual succulents, they need to be in well-drained soil. If your soil is too moist, you can use a raised bed, or try mounding the area where you are growing succulents. A one- to a two-foot pile of compost mixed with perlite helps ensure plants thrive, even in conditions that differ from their native counterparts. Good soil, good watering, and good drainage equal happy succulents.
What To Avoid When Water Succulent Plants
- Put it in a pot without drainage holes: Drain holes are an escape route for water that the plants can’t absorb. Since succulents are very sensitive to overwatering, they really need it.
- Use ice cubes: Because ice cubes are relatively slow at dispersing small amounts of water, some houseplant parents use them to give their greens a gentler and controlled soak. However, if the name of the game is to mimic the native desert environment of succulents, it doesn’t make much sense to give them something icy that might shock them.
- Give it lighter but more frequent watering: You’re better off soaking your succulents less often than drinking a little water every few days.
Signs Of Overwatering
Some signs that you’ve gone too far and given your succulent more water than it can store include mushy, brown leaves and soil that never feels completely dry. Plant the succulent in a well-drained soil mix that includes larger particles like rocks and bark, give it plenty of watering time, make sure it has a drainage hole, and give it enough light to kickstart photosynthesis and get started Converts water into energy to prevent excess water.
Summary
Succulents have adapted to dry conditions and require less frequent watering than tropical houseplants. Equipped with a few simple precautions, you should be able to give yourself the right amount of water for your needs.
