Succulents are durable and hard to kill plants, making them the perfect choice for busy people. However, keep in mind that the only thing that could kill a succulent is overwatering. Unlike other plants, succulents don’t like too much moisture. Overwatering leads to rotten roots, and the plant will get a yellowish color.
If you don’t know how to water succulents, you are in the right place. We prepared the ultimate guide with valuable tips and tricks on how to grow healthy plants. Once you go over it, you will never kill any succulents ever again.
1. Assess the Moisture Levels
Assessing the soil’s moisture levels can be tricky if you are a beginner. To have a clear picture of the humidity, measure it with a convenient soil moisture meter. The tool is simple to use and gives accurate readings, so get it if you plan to get serious with your succulent collection.
Alternatively, you can stick a skewer into the soil. If you can clearly see moisture and the dirt holds onto the stick, this is a sign that the soil is moist and doesn’t need more watering.
2. Use Distilled Water
Distilled water is the best choice for any plant, not only succulents. Tap water contains minerals, which accumulate in the soil over time. The plants might be sensitive to calcium buildups or eventually, develop white stains on the leaves. Distilled water is free of minerals, which enables fast growth, sturdier structure, and denser leaves.
3. Frequency of Watering
Succulents are plants with shallow roots, which absorb the moisture from the soil quickly. The plant stores the water in its thick and juicy leaves and has enough supply for a prolonged period. This means that you don’t need to water your succulents frequently.
How frequently should you water your succulents? There is no standard rule that works for all, as the frequency depends on many factors such as season, drainage, air humidity, and pot size. Check if the soil is arid before you proceed to give them a nice soaking. On average, you should water them every 14-21 days. If you are a beginner and don’t know how to water succulents, you can start with this schedule and adjust accordingly. If the soil is moist, postpone the watering for a week. Larger pots will hold more moisture, so they need to be watered less frequently than smaller pots.
How to water succulents? When the soil is dry, give them a generous soaking. Stop when the water starts draining from the holes on the bottom of the pot. Let the excess water drain out, and discard it from the tray. While other plants love frequent but modest splashes, a succulent enjoys a good soaking when the soil is dry.
Does the frequency of watering change through the seasons? Your plants will need more watering during early spring when they wake up and grow. In winter, the plant is dormant and doesn’t need much watering.
4. Use a Convenient Watering Bottle
When watering young succulents, be mindful of the amount you pour. This succulent watering bottle is ideal for watering water-sensitive plants like succulents. The tip has a pretty gentle stream, allowing you to reach the roots easily. The convenient shapes will enable you to water the base of the stem without soaking the leaves. In addition, the bottle has measurements on the side so that you can keep track of the amount of water you pour.
Tip: Don’t mist the grown succulents, as they don’t like a humid environment. Succulents live in a dry climate, so leave the misting for propagation only.
5. Provide Drainage
We already explained that succulents don’t like wet soil. If the pot doesn’t have a hole for drainage, the soil will retain the moisture. Therefore, choose containers with a drainage hole at the bottom and a suitable tray to trap the excess water. However, you don’t have to sacrifice the functionality for aesthetics when picking the proper containers. These succulent pot with a drainage hole have a modern and minimalist look while allowing the excess water to drip on the tray.
6. Fast-Draining Soil is the Key
The traditional potting soil gets wet and releases the moisture slowly, resulting in rotten roots. Every succulent enthusiast would advise you to use special fast-draining soil that won’t retain too much water. The improved airflow allows the humidity to evaporate and drain quickly and prevent your lovely succulents from rotting.
7. Add Gravel
Many succulent lovers choose glass terrariums or other attractive pots to show off their plant’s beauty. However, keep in mind that these don’t offer proper drainage.
If you still want to use containers with no drainage holes or closed terrariums, make sure to layer pebbles or gravel on the bottom. The gravel will trap the excess moisture and prevent the gentle roots from rotting. In case you have a large container, use larger rocks to create an even bottom layer.
Tip: To get rid of the mold and bacteria, add some crushed active charcoal over the gravel. The charcoal is known for its antifungal properties and keeps a clean environment and odorless soil.
8. Inspect the Succulents
If you notice dead leaves on top of the succulents, this is a sign that you don’t water them appropriately. This can be an indicator of overwatering or under-watering, so inspect your succulents frequently until you get a grasp of the watering schedule.
If the leaves become transparent or yellow and feel soft when you touch them, this is a clear sign of overwatering. However, don’t panic if you notice these signs. Remove the affected leaves and develop a proper watering routine that will provide enough moisture and prevent rotting.
Final Thoughts
In this how-to guide, we explained to you how to water succulents the right way. Now you understand that it is essential to give your plants a nice soaking and wait for the soil to dry before the next watering. This helped you understand the vital things for maintaining healthy succulents. Don’t forget to follow us for more helpful tips and tricks!
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