How frequently should you water succulents

How Much and How Often to Water Succulents — Retro Den

March 18, 2018 March 18, 2018/ Ashley Palmer

This is probably the number one question we get at the shop. And for good reason. Your succulent's life hinges on how much water you give it. Though the answer to this question varies depending on several variables (which we will go into later on!), the general rule of thumb is that you never want your succulent to stand in water. When your succulent stands in water, it dies. A succulent can come back from under-watering, but over-watering leads to a succulent's demise. You may think we are being dramatic, but c'mon, succulent death is kind of a big deal. So the short answer to the question of how much to water a succulent is: water it, but not so much that it's left standing in water.

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 excess water will drain out. If the container doesn't have a hole, you need to be extra careful not to fill the container with water up to the roots. Also, succulents in smaller clay pots dry out faster and can take a bit more water.
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. If your succulent isn't planted with pea gravel, go ahead and replant it! Here's how.
Succulent location- If your succulent is outside in the heat and wind, it can take more water than if it is indoors.
Succulent size- larger plants take more water than smaller plants.

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.

There are a few exceptions to this rule. Certain types of succulents require more frequent watering because their leaves are teeny tiny and can't hold as much water compared to other varieties with plump leaves. For these tiny leaf succulents, feel free to give them a drink up to once a week in the non-winter months if they look thirsty. Succulents typically look a little wrinkly when they are thirsty. Remember though, it's always better to under-water than to over-water.

Scenario #1: This succulent is about five inches wide and a foot tall. It's planted in pea gravel in a clay planter with a drain hole and lives outside on a patio (except during the winter).

Answer: This succulent would like about two cups of water every other week in the non-winter months and 1-1.5 cups of water once a month in the winter.

Scenario #2: This succulent is about three inches wide and three inches tall. It is planted in pea gravel, but it is a shallow container that doesn't have a drain hole. This succulent is living indoors near a west window.

Answer: This succulent would like about 1/8- 1/4 cup water every other week in non-winter months and 1/8 cup water once a month in the winter.

Scenario #3: This succulent is about 2 inches wide and 4 inches tall. It has tiny leaves, is planted with pea gravel and in a container with a drain hole. It lives inside.

Answer: This succulent would like about 1/4 cup water every week to week and a half in the non-winter months and 1/4 water every other week during the winter.

Have a succulent watering question? Leave a comment below! Or if you'd like to learn more about succulent care, please read on! We love to talk about plants.

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How to Water Succulent Plants

Succulents are not like most other plants. So naturally, if you try to water them like other plants, especially other house plants, they aren’t going to survive!

However, this doesn’t mean you can neglect them completely.

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These two extremes are what make it seem like succulents are hard to grow. But with this simple watering method, you’ll be able to give you succulents enough water to thrive.

If you're ready to dive right in, you can jump to one of the following:

How to Water Succulents
How frequently should I water succulents?
Why does this work?
Using the right soil is critical
Use a pot with a drainage hole
How to water leaf propagation
Watch for signs from your succulents

To help you even further, download my free cheat sheet to see what it looks like when your succulents need more or less water. Click here to grab that, it'll be super helpful.

Echeveria 'Blue Atoll'

Keep a record

One of the best pieces of advice I can give you to help your succulents succeed and to help you get your watering schedule “just right” is to record when you've watered.

Knowing when you've watered last will help answer a lot of questions about whether or not it's time to water again.

There's a lot of great ways to keep track of this — pen and paper, excel spreadsheet, notes on your phone — but my favorite way is to use the Succulent Tracker app (Apple | Android). It allows you to easily record each time you water, shows your watering history for each plant, reminds you when it's time to water, and allows you to keep a photo history of the plant too.

There are a lot of different ways to use the app, but keeping track of watering has been a gamechanger for my succulents!

How to Water Succulent Plants (indoors and outdoors)

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. And make sure the succulents are in a well draining soil in a pot with a drainage hole (more on that in a minute).

Pretty simple, right? See this method in action:

For indoor succulents, it is generally best if water doesn’t get on top of the leaves. If it sits on a leaf for too long it can cause rot.

Use a small spout watering can (this one is fantastic) or a squeeze bottle (like the one in this super handy tool kit).

This isn’t as much of an issue for outdoor succulents because there is more airflow and the water will dry out quicker.

Aloe ‘Blue Elf', Agave parryi, Aloe hybrid

If possible, just pour water onto the soil around your succulents until it is completely soaked. DO NOT water your succulents again until the soil has dried out — from the top of the pot to the bottom.

Succulents do not like to sit in wet soil for more than 2-3 days.

So then comes the question…

How often should I water my succulents?

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. Use this timeline as a starting point and adjust as needed.

Gasteraloe ‘Flow', Gasteria brevifolia, Crassula pubescens ssp. radicans “Large Red Carpet Stonecrop” in Bonsai Jack Pot

Remember to get the free cheat sheet to see what it looks like when your succulents need more or less water. Click here to grab that.

The best frequency for watering your succulents is whenever the leaves show very early signs of under watering. Grab that cheat sheet above so you know that that looks like.

Since most succulents are very prone to rot with frequent watering, you’re best off to wait for a signal from your succulent before watering.

But if nothing else, don’t water again until the soil is totally dry.

And remember, keeping track of your watering schedule is really important. I can't tell you how many times I “think” I haven't watered in a while, only to find out, thanks to my notes in the Succulent Tracker app (Apple | Android) that it was just a few days ago.

Find out a few things that may affect how often you water your succulents in this video:

Why does this watering method work?

Succulents are generally native to areas where the soil drains quickly and water is heavy, but infrequent. Think about cacti (a subcategory of succulents) out in the desert… They get flash floods of water, with storms lasting 24-28 hours, followed by weeks without any water at all.

While your succulents, especially indoors, don’t need a watering schedule this extreme, they will benefit from the “soak and dry” approach.

With a deep watering the succulent has plenty of access to water. During the “drought” between watering, the succulent will begin to grow new roots, searching for more water.

The soak and dry method helps the succulent develop a large, healthy root system which will enable it to withstand longer periods of drought than most other plants.

DO NOT use a spray bottle for watering. Constant watering with small amounts of water, like with a spray bottle, will produce a weak root system that can’t withstand very long periods of drought.

That means if you don't water for a couple days your succulent will die. Or if you don't get the water deep enough when you spray with a spray bottle, the succulent will die. So don’t do it 🙂

Soak and dry… soak and dry…

The right soil is crucial for watering success

At the very beginning of the article I mentioned your succulents should be planted in a well draining soil AND in a pot with a drainage hole.

Succulents will quickly rot if they are in wet soil for too long. Ideally, your soil will be mostly dry, especially the top half of the pot, within 2-3 days.

So what makes a soil “well draining”?

I’ve dedicated a full post just to talking about the perfect soil mix for succulents. You can read that here.

The short answer is a well draining soil looks “gritty” because it has ¼” (6mm) particles. ⅔ of the soil should be inorganic (rock) and ⅓ should be organic (pine bark, coconut coir, etc.).

Bonsai Jack Gritty Soil Mix for Succulents

Traditional soil will not work well for succulents. It stays wet for much too long. I don’t generally recommend using most of the “Cactus and Succulent” soils found at most nurseries either. They tend to be too organic and still don’t drain fast enough.

If you’re new to succulents or have killed a few succulents from too much water, I highly recommend getting a bag of Jack’s Gritty Mix for your succulents. This is the best succulent soil I’ve used. 95% (or more) of my succulents are planted in this and they are thriving!

Beyond that, take a look at the soil post to get recommendations for other materials and how to modify other store bought soils to make them work better for succulents.

Use a pot with a drainage hole

Another important piece of this watering method is using a pot with a drainage hole.

Remember how I mentioned succulents don’t like to sit in wet soil for very long? It’s very difficult for the soil to dry out completely if your pot doesn’t have a drainage hole.

The hole in the bottom of the pot allows for excess water to flow out of the pot and away from your succulent roots. It also provides another way for air to flow through the soil and help it dry out faster.

Pot from Susan Aach | Drainage holes covered with mesh tape

If you’re just starting with succulents, a pot with a drainage hole is going to be extremely helpful for you.

If you want to know how to keep succulents alive in a pot without a drainage hole, click here and I’ll show you what to do.

How should I water the succulent leaves or babies I’m propagating?

This is the one time–and the only time–that it's okay to use a spray bottle for watering your succulents–when you're propagating!

However, even still… I recommend using a squeeze bottle (like the one in my favorite tool kit) to ensure the soil gets thoroughly wet.

When you're propagating succulent leaves indoors or outdoors, you can water them every day. You want to keep the soil damp (though not sopping wet) so the leaves have plenty of access to water.

Graptoveria ‘Opalina’, Graptoveria ‘Debbie’, Sedum rubrotinctum, Crassula rupestris — Click here to purchase these succulents

Just spray the top of the soil with a spray bottle (or use the squeeze bottle from above). Like the roots of large succulent plants, the leaves will absorb water from the air around them, so spraying the soil with a spray bottle is usually enough in my experience.

Keep an eye on your roots–they may dry out if they aren't getting enough water.

Often I can look at the soil and know I need to water.

Other times, especially when I'm starting to reduce my watering frequency for these babies, I'm not sure if it's time to water or not. Checking the Succulent Tracker app (Apple | Android) reassures me it's time to water. Plus I can record photos in the app and see the progress of my babies too!

Watch your succulents for indicators

Now that you know the soak and dry method, it’s time for you to give it a try!

Pay attention to the signs your succulent is giving you. It will start to change if it needs more water or less water. Be sure to click here to grab my cheat sheet to see what that looks like. It’ll be super helpful.

And lastly, when in doubt go without!

It is much easier to save your succulents from too little water than from too much. If you think you’ve over or under watered your succulent, click here to find out what to do next.

How to water Succulents correctly | Blog Exotica

Succulents (from Latin succulentus, "juicy") came to us from arid countries and do not need frequent watering. Many lovers of exotic plants plant succulents knowing that they are very unpretentious. These plants are able to do without water for a long time, accumulating moisture in thick leaves and stems (depending on the species). However, in order for the plant to be healthy and please with its appearance, it must be watered correctly, knowing at least some rules.

The most common mistakes when watering succulents that can lead to plant death:

1. Succulents are overwatered! For them, a lack of moisture is better than its excess (the root system quickly rots, the leaves turn yellow and fall off).

2. Overfeeding (a lack of nutrients will not harm the plant, but excessive care leads to death).

3. If, due to insufficient watering, the leaves turn yellow, dry up - inexperienced gardeners consider them "dead" and cut them off, which causes great harm to the plant. With further proper watering in small but regular portions, such leaves will gradually accumulate moisture and become healthy.

What kind of water to water succulents?

The water must be soft and free from impurities. Hard water will damage the root system and prevent the plant from developing normally. Distilled, reverse osmosis or rain water is perfect. Also, some gardeners use water after freezing (simulating melt water).

Another very important rule: the water should be warm, preferably from 25*C to 35*C! (Never water chilled. ) This watering will be close to the conditions of the natural environment and will promote the favorable growth and development of all types of succulents.

How often should succulents be watered?

The answer to this question is quite simple: after the complete drying of the earthen clod and not before. Water thoroughly, plentifully, so that the water completely passes through the ground and flows into the pan. Watering "a little" will only mislead - whether the plant lacks moisture.

In the warm season (spring and summer) watering should be more intensive and frequent every 4-5 days. But again, watering should be done only if the earth lump has had time to dry completely.

In autumn, succulents gradually wean themselves from the abundance of water and reduce the frequency of watering to once every 7-15 days. (depending on ambient temperature). And in winter watered every 2-3 weeks. But again, it all depends on the humidity of the room itself!

The main signs that your plant lacks moisture:

Brittle and dry top foliage;
Shrinkage of the whole plant;
Appearance of folds at the ends of shoots;

In such cases, reduce the interval between watering.

It should be remembered that young succulents, as well as after transplantation, require additional care. Such plants require more frequent watering, but more reduced in volume. Spraying should also be included, but not the leaves or the stem, but the earthen clod itself (once a 3-4 days under the root with warm water). Such sprays will help the plant in the development of the root system and improve its growth.

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You can always order here succulents with delivery all over Russia

watering time and important nuances

and roots, it is better to underfill them than to overfill them. But this does not mean that they do not need to be watered at all.

How to water succulents? Abundant, but not often. Water the plants thoroughly so that the water passes completely through the earthen ball until water begins to flow into the pan: watering "little by little" will not do any good and will only mislead whether the plant is thirsty. Abundant watering promotes the development of a healthy root system. The next watering should occur after the soil is completely dry, usually it takes a week or more. Such watering, as it were, repeats the living conditions of plants in nature and contributes to their healthy development. When watering, you should always empty the pot tray from excess released moisture.

Recommendations on the net that succulents should be watered once every 2 weeks are too general and can be dangerous overflow . After all, everyone has different conditions of detention: pots can be of different sizes; depending on the material of the pots, water evaporation occurs in different ways; soil of different composition and because of this, the drying of the soil occurs unevenly. If the substrate is very loose and does not retain moisture for long, and if you have dry air at home, then watering occurs more often. If, on the contrary, the apartment has high humidity and the plant is grown in moisture-intensive peat soil, then watering can be even once a month. Before using the knowledge presented here, be sure that you have compiled the correct succulents that suit them primer , which can save them from overflow, and save you a million nerve cells.

Contents

When to water succulents?

The main indicator that succulents are dehydrated and need watering is WRINKLE leaves . In the photo below, the succulent on the left shows a strong wrinkling of the leaves, which indicates the need for watering. Do not be afraid to bring succulents to such a “frightening” look, as soon as you water them, wrinkles will straighten out and fill with moisture in just 2 days! It is to this appearance that experienced succulent growers bring them, knowing how quickly succulents can gain leaf turgor back. For example, echeveria should only be watered when the bottom row of leaves is heavily wrinkled. It is better to underfill succulents than overwater. Thus, your succulent will not die from overflow and its compact form will not be lost. It is important to learn how to observe the plants, they themselves tell us with their appearance what they want. As soon as you have learned to observe them, the fear of overflow will go to the very last plan.

Watering considerations

The best time to water is in the morning on a sunny day. Before evening, the water will have time to drain, the earth will dry up (What if tomorrow it will be a rainy day? Forecasters are also wrong!). The water should be warm, 36 degrees or slightly higher. From the cold, the plant can shed all the leaves overnight and rot; however, watering with too warm water during the dormant period may cause untimely growth. In the summer, if the days are hot, it is better to water in the evening, so you will avoid the risk that the water heated by the sun in the pots will cook the roots of the plant.
Avoid watering the leaves of succulents. If water gets on plants covered with felt pubescence, they can rot, and the leaves themselves become covered with rusty spots. If water gets on the leaves with a bloom, then it leaves behind ugly traces, but you can try to blow off the droplets of water, in no case wipe it mechanically, otherwise the plaque will be erased. In the sun, water drops on the leaves lead to burns.
It is necessary to water more those succulents that: are more moisture-loving (sedums, Crassula lycopsus, etc.), succulents in a state of growth, with large roots, in porous pots, in sandy soil, mineral soil, at high temperatures, in dry air.
Less watering is required for those succulents that are: dry-loving, at rest, with small roots, in non-porous pots, in clay or peat substrate, at low temperatures, in moist air.

What time of day is best to water succulents

Succulents are one of the most undemanding crops to care for. Exotic representatives of the flora are widespread in the CIS countries from arid regions. They do not need constant care, like other houseplants. To successfully grow succulents, you should be familiar with how and when to water them.

Watering rules

Moisture must be applied at the right time. When succulents begin to wrinkle, deflate, the brightness of the plant is lost, this is a signal of the need for water. If the culture is soft, the stem darkens, we are talking about excessive moisture. This is fraught with decay of the root system. The plant may die. Succulents need to be watered in moderation, this is the main rule.

Basic watering rules are important.

Room humidity level. The wetter the room, the less frequently you should water.
Drafts. Plants should not be moistened under direct streams of cold water.
Succulent size. Small representatives of exotic flora need small doses of water and vice versa.
Tank material. Clay pots evaporate moisture faster than plastic pots.
Water acidity level. Succulents need watering with soft water.

Some succulent growers water succulents every day, pour liquid on the above ground, use cold water. These are the mistakes that lead to the rotting of plants.

Is it possible to water succulents in the evening

Evening watering of representatives of exotic flora is allowed, but it is not desirable to do this constantly Plants sensitive to wet soil, do not tolerate wet soil. In the evening they are not exposed to the rays of the sun, as it is already setting. The succulents stay in completely moist soil for the next night, which is about 12 hours. If you occasionally water them in the evening, it will not hurt. In the long term, root rot may develop. This is a common cause of crop death. It is advisable not to water the plants after sunset.

Can succulents be watered during the day

Succulents can be watered during the day, but there are a number of factors to consider. If you moisten specimens located in a place where the sun's rays are directed, there is a risk of damage. Drops of water cause burns on the leaves. During the day, it is recommended to water only those species that are in the shade.

When to water succulents

It is recommended to water succulents in the early morning. Then the sun is still cloudy outside. The moisture remaining on the leaves has time to dry. The soil will dry out all day, which will reduce the maximum level of soil moisture. Succulents will have enough time to absorb the amount of water they require. Watering should be avoided after 2 pm in summer and after 11 am in autumn and spring. In winter, the sun is high, the risk of damage to parts of the plant is minimal. Just do not place the pots in a place that is too lit.

Ways to reduce water hardness

When watering with very hard water, the substrate becomes more alkaline and the nutrients in it become blocked and inaccessible. Plants become ill with chlorosis: the leaves begin to lighten, and then turn yellow. The bright color of succulents become faded, the root system weakens.

Basic water softening methods:

Settling. This is the easiest and most affordable way. Before watering, the water is allowed to stand for a day. During this time, a certain amount of lime precipitates, and chlorine, which is added to disinfect water, also evaporates.
Boiling. Boil the water, let it settle and use the top 2/3 of the water layer. When boiling, calcium and magnesium salts partially pass into insoluble compounds, settling on the bottom and walls of the vessel. It is necessary to drain the surface layer of water very carefully, trying so that the sediment does not get into the drained portion.
Freezing. Water is poured into a plastic bottle and placed in a freezer for several hours. The water must not freeze completely. The unfrozen layer is drained as unnecessary, the ice is allowed to melt and the water is allowed to stand until room temperature is obtained; the plants are then watered with this water.
Water acidification. If the water contains a lot of lime, it can be acidified with citric acid at the rate of one pinch per 3 liters of water.
Use of peat. The effect of peat is that it is used as a so-called ion exchanger, i.e. it has the ability to both bind metal ions (for example, calcium) and, in return, give other positive ions into the solution, and retain negative ions (for example, carbonate ions), and in return release other acidic residues. Due to this, peat turns out to be a useful assistant, providing light acidification (supply of hydrogen ions), partly taking away lime and excess salts. For 10 liters of water, we need 100 grams of fresh peat. It is placed in a linen bag and lowered for a day in any container with water. If you want to speed up the process, then pass the water through a homemade peat filter. To do this, you need a large flower pot with a drainage hole. Place a coarse cloth on the bottom and fill the container with loosened soil. Having placed the pot over the bucket, we pour water through this homemade filter.
Use of various chemicals. This method requires precision, accuracy. To soften water, you can use commercially available special tablets or liquid products. These preparations contain acids that neutralize the lime contained in the water. The amount of agent to be added depends on the degree of water hardness.

The Benefits of Rainwater

Many cactus and succulent growers prefer rainwater. Yes, this is the best option if you live in a well-located area or out of town. But if you grow your plants in industrial areas, then it is dangerous to take such water. When precipitation falls after a long dry period, rainwater contains a lot of dirt and industrial harmful substances. However, if you sometimes walk in the forest, albeit located within the city, you can safely put a container to collect water on long rainy days, in which case the harm will be minimized.

Water from zinc roofs is also unacceptable, since it contains a lot of zinc and if water is collected from roofs, then these must be roofs made of artificial material.