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.
Signs Your Succulent Has Been Overwatered
The first sign of overwatering to watch for is discoloration and change in the leaves' form. You'll notice the leaves becoming translucent, soft, and squishy, and unlike those that have been under-watered, they will be dropped by the plant rather than recovered.
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.
How often should you water a succulent? According to Retro Den, the rule of thumb for watering your succulent is every other week during non-winter months. During the winter months, when the temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, it is recommended to water your succulent only once a month.
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.
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.
A succulent that has been overwatered is susceptible to root rot which can quickly kill the plant. Watch out for signs of overwatering like mushy stems and roots, yellow leaves, and dropping leaves.
Don't use a spray bottle to water your succulents—misting can cause brittle roots and moldy leaves. You can also place pots in a pan of water and allow the water to absorb through the drainage hole.
Indoor or Cool Climates
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. In cooler climates, generally fall and winter, the soil stays moist for longer periods of time.
Crispy shriveled up leaves are indications of underwatering. 1. Your first indicator to tell if your succulent is not getting enough water it needs is when the leaves start to feel rubbery and bend easily, as the water stored in its leaves is starting to run low.
Soft leaves appear in underwatered as well as overwatered succulent plants. Then how do you know what your plant is suffering from? Well, the most prominent difference is that underwatered plants are soft while overwatered plants are soggy and translucent.
1. If a plant is overwatered, it will likely develop yellow or brown limp, droopy leaves as opposed to dry, crispy leaves (which are a sign of too little water). Wilting leaves combined with wet soil usually mean that root rot has set in and the roots can no longer absorb water. 2.
Place the potted succulent in and make sure that it's sitting straight in the water before leaving it alone for about 5-15 minutes or whenever you see that the soil is moist all the way to the top.
Wait 4 days and water again. Usually after this period of time an under watered succulent will start to look more plump. It can take a couple days for the improvement to show in the leaves.
Should I mist my succulents? No, do not mist your succulents. Doing so can cause spots and rotting. Remember, they come from arid climates with very little humidity, so they like dry air.
Full grown succulents don't actually like to 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.
The art of stressing
Observe your plants. If leaves are margined or tipped in red, they're likely prospects. But if excess heat, sun or cold makes tips shrivel and beigey-gray patches appear on leaves, the plant is suffering. Move it to a kinder location, keep soil moist (but not soggy), and check its roots.
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.
LACK OF FIRMNESS/MOLDY LOOK
If your succulent doesn't look firm or looks like it is moldy and rotting, then your succulent isn't healthy or happy. Your succulent looks like this because it may be experiencing root rot. Root rot is caused by overwatering.
Third, one of the most overlooked rules when it comes to watering succulents is the time of day. Succulents should never be watered past 2pm in the Summer or 11am the rest of the year. Don't ask us where this rule came from, but it really does seem to make a difference. Photo: Checking to make sure the soil is dry.
Most, in an indoor setting, will crave the brightest light possible, especially during winter in northern climates. Place them near a south- or east-facing window. This same setting works during the warmer parts of the year. Alternately, you can shift indoor succulents outside during spring and summer.
Minimum pot size for most of our succulents is 2.5" diameter. Choose larger containers (4"+) for arrangements or if you want to give your succulents room to grow. Using smaller containers will give an instantly filled-in look, but you may have to repot sooner due to fix an overgrown or root-bound container.