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.
'From spring to fall, during the period of active growth, these plants should be watered once every seven to 10 days. In winter, when the light day becomes shorter, succulents go into dormancy, so you don't need to water them more than once every three to four weeks.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
The best way to determine if your succulent is dehydrated due to lack of water is through its leaves. If the leaf feels crispy and starting to have wrinkly and shriveled up leaves, then it's the best time to give your succulent a good soak of water, as these signs are indications of underwatering.
Here's what to look for to know that your succulent is underwatered: Shriveled leaves–An underwatered plant will start to have wrinkly, shriveling leaves as its water storage continue to run low. The plant will start to look droopy and wilted the more sever the water deprivation is.
Succulents don't like to sit in waterlogged soil, so drainage is important to prevent rot. Your container should have a drainage hole to allow excess water to escape.
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.
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. In this blog post, we'd like to share with you how to tell whether your plants are overwatered or underwatered.
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.
Signs Your Succulent is Thirsty
Wrinkled, shriveled leaves are a clear indication that your Succulent needs more water. As the cells release their stored moisture to the rest of the plant, they try to bring in more water to replace what they have lost.
A thirsty succulent will show these signs of dehydration: Thinning, shriveled leaves. Brown, dry, dead leaves at the bottom of the plant. Soft, flat leaves that have lost their plumpness and firmness.
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.
How often should I water my succulent? You should water your succulents every other week during non-winter months when temperatures are above 40 degrees. During the winter time (when temperatures are below 40 degrees) you should only water your succulent once a month because it is dormant during this time.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.