Unlike most other plants, succulents are unique. So naturally, if you try to water them like other plants, especially other house plants, they aren’t going to survive! So, how often to water succulents?
During the non-winter months when the temperature is above 40 degrees, you should water your succulents every other week. You should only water your succulent once a month in the winter (when temperatures are below 40 degrees) when it is dormant.
Read on for more detailed information.
How Often to Water Succulents Indoors?
Indoor succulent plants probably need to be watered once a week. They require enough time for the soil to dry out in between waterings so that the water can be stored in the leaves. When watering succulent plants indoors, remember to use these methods.
- Use an irrigation system with a tiny pour spout.
- To completely saturate the succulent plant’s core, add water.
- Permit water to completely drain out of the pot through the holes. Ensure that you empty any water that seeps through the soil if the plant is supported by a saucer, and do so.
- When planted indoors, there won’t be enough heat or fresh airflow to dry the leaves, so avoid overwatering to prevent rot from the top down.
- In between waterings, let the soil completely dry out.
Tips for Watering Succulents Outdoors
Keeping an eye on your succulent plants is always a good idea. If you ask them when to water them or not, they will give you clear signals. Simply put, you shouldn’t water the plant regardless of the time period if the soil is still wet. If you notice that the soil is very dry and the succulent plant foliage appears shriveled or dry, it’s definitely time to water it.
Succulents in Containers
- Water the base of the succulent plant until the soil is fully saturated.
- Allow water to completely drain out of the pot through the holes. Make sure to remove any water that seeps through the soil if there is a collection plate underneath the plant.
- Between waterings, allow the soil to completely dry.
- Put pots somewhere protected if there will be heavy rain soon.
Succulents In-Ground
- Reduce watering in the fall and winter to help succulents withstand the cold.
- Succulents are more susceptible to damage from frost during the winter when the soil is saturated.
- The growing season’s hotter days necessitate more frequent watering for plants.
- Deeply water plants and let the soil dry in between waterings.
What Things Affect How Much I Water My Succulent?
Some of the variables that may affect the amount of water to give a succulent include:
- Container type– If your container has a drain hole, you can give the succulent more water because any extra water will drain out. If the container doesn’t have a hole, you must take extra care to avoid submerging the roots in water. Succulents in smaller clay pots can also tolerate a little more water but dry out more quickly.
- How it was planted– putting pea gravel in the bottom of your planter boosts the succulent’s roots up off the bottom of the planter leaving room for excess water. Plus, pea gravel allows air to get down into the pot more easily and dry it out more quickly. You can replant your succulent if it isn’t already in pea gravel. Here’s how.
- Succulent location– It can tolerate more water if your succulent is outdoors in the wind and heat than if it is inside.
- Succulent size-larger plants take more water than smaller plants.
How to Water Succulents?
Now that you are aware of the variables that affect how frequently you should water succulents, let’s talk about how to water them. Yes, there’s a right way and a wrong way. Native to the desert, succulents receive little rain in their natural habitats, but when it does, it pours. With sheets of water falling from the sky, desert rainstorms resemble monsoons. When you water your succulent, soak it thoroughly to simulate desert rain. Pour water on it slowly and don’t stop until water runs out of the drain hole in the bottom. 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 the soil around your succulent plants is completely dry, water it. Before re-wetting, allow the soil to completely dry out. Dry, drench, and then dry again. Follow that pattern, and your succulents will always have the ideal amount of water.
Why Does This Watering Method Work?
Succulents are generally native to areas where the soil drains quickly and water is heavy, but infrequent. Consider the cacti (a subcategory of succulents) that live in the desert. They experience brief flash floods of water that last between 24 and 28 hours, followed by extended periods without any water.
While your succulents, especially indoors, don’t need a watering schedule this extreme, they will benefit from the “soak and dry” approach.
The succulent has easy access to water thanks to a deep watering. During the “drought” between watering, the succulent will begin to grow new roots, searching for more water.
The succulent will be able to withstand longer periods of drought than most other plants thanks to the soak and dry technique’s assistance in growing a sizable, robust root system.
DO NOT water with a spray bottle. A weak root system that is the result of frequent, light watering, such as with a spray bottle, won’t be able to withstand prolonged dry spells.
That means your succulent will perish if you don’t water it for a few days. The succulent will also perish if you don’t spray deeply enough into the water when using a spray bottle. So don’t do it
Soak and dry… soak and dry…
FAQs
How Do You Know When a Succulent Needs Water?
Wrinkled, shriveled leaves are a clear indication that your Water should be added to succulents. The cells attempt to bring in more water to make up for the water that has been lost as they release their stored moisture to the rest of the plant.
Do Succulents Need to Be in Direct Sunlight?
Succulents love sun exposure, and most varieties need at least 4-6 hours of daily indirect sunlight to thrive. But there are a few circumstances in which it might be necessary to keep succulents in the dark.
How Long Can Succulents Go Without 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. The soil remains moist for longer periods of time in cooler climates, typically fall and winter.
Do Succulents Like to Be Touched?
Dislike: Sun damage. Avoid touching succulents with a powdery coating. This coating protects them from the sun and does not grow back once it has been rubbed off, leaving a permanent effect on your plant’s overall health.
Summary: How Often to Water Succulents?
During the non-winter months when the temperature is above 40 degrees, you should water your succulents every other week. You should only water your succulent once a month in the winter (when temperatures are below 40 degrees) when it is dormant.
It’s time for you to try the soak and dry method now that you are aware of it!
Observe the cues your succulent is sending you. If it needs more or less water, it will start to change. Grab my cheat sheet to see what that looks like. It will be very useful.
Last but not least, avoid if possible!
It is much easier to save your succulents from too little water than from too much.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment. My Prime Home tries to give you the best furniture information. Thank you for reading.
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