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.
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.
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.
Water sparingly
Succulents have evolved to cope with drought. This means they don't need watering as regularly as other house plants, and can actually suffer from over-watering. For most succulents, the rule is to water from spring to autumn only, and let the compost dry out between watering.
Just because we said, Succulents are better dry than wet doesn't mean you're off the hook when it comes to watering. 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.
Water the Soil Directly
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.
Most succulents should survive for over two weeks without any water whatsoever, though a lot of succulents will go without water for months, depending on the environment and weather.
Succulents 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.
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.
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.
Don't water on the leaves or on top of the plant. Water that stays on the leaves for too long can cause the leaves to rot. Don't water when it's humid/raining or extremely hot.
When succulents are getting too much water, their leaves start to look like shriveled fingers that have been in the jacuzzi too long. If overwatering continues, leaves will often turn brown as they rot completely then begin to fall off.
Dunk the Succ
A small jar or glass is usually sufficient, unless your succulent is particularly large. Once you've prepared your container of water, you'll want to submerge the roots of your succulent. Try to submerge only the roots and keep the stem out of the water.
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 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 Often to Water Succulents Indoors. 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.
Steps on How To Save an Overwatered Succulent:
Let the plant dry out completely for at least three days to a week. Set the plant somewhere bright and dry, but away from direct sunlight to avoid burning the plant and the roots. Once dry, replant in a suitable well draining potting mix and do not water immediately.
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.
No matter the season, succulents prefer moderate temperatures (between 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit). With that in mind, we highly recommend bringing your outdoor plants indoors, especially if you'll be away during the Winter season, then set the thermostat low (about 12C or 53.6F) to help extend the watering cycle.
To conclude, most Succulents can be in full sun but always check that the particular plant you're getting is suitable for a sunny position as there are succulents that prefer part or even full shade, especially in summer.
Timing. 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.
This cleans the cactus skin and water penetrates some of the stomata. Because gas exchange is active at night, the roots are better able to take up water applied to the soil.