Succulents have become increasingly popular in recent years for gardening, home décor, and even workplaces. These charming low-maintenance plants are easy to grow and come in a wide variety of cute shapes and colors.
However, many customers tell us that their green babies often die within the first month, especially in winter. So, we decided to write this post to reveal some very common mistakes that people make when growing succulents indoors.
These mistakes are easy to avoid with our tips, so you can keep your succulents healthy and thriving happily.
Key Takeaways:
- Overwatering could be the primary cause of succulent death.
- Providing insufficient lighting, less than 4-6 hours of light daily.
- Poorly draining soil that can cause succulent root rot.
- Selecting the wrong type of succulents that are not suitable for indoor growing conditions.
- Not monitoring for signs of trouble - Watch for pest infestations, overcrowding, and the need for repotting, pruning, or fertilizing.
1. Watering like average houseplants
One of the most common misconceptions about succulents is that they can be watered just like any other houseplant. But the fact that, to thriving in harsh environment, succulents have completely different watering needs than average indoor plants.
Overwatering is one of the quickest ways to kill a succulent. This cute plants need large amount of water in the short time, like the quick rains in the desert it’s true. However, they can retain water very well — that’s why the leaves look so plump — so the soil doesn't need to be constantly moist.
Therefore, our happy succulents will be pronned at root rot if they sit in water for too long. To avoid this, make sure to let the soil dry out completely between watering, and always use a well-draining potting mix.
2. Choose wrong type of Succulents
Not all succulents are created equal, and some are better suited for indoor growing than others. When selecting succulents for your home, it's important to choose varieties that can thrive easily in your house.
Most succulents prefer in bright, indirect sunlight for 6-8 hours a day like Echeveria, Aloe, or Jade plants. However, few of them can grow well in medium light, or even low light level such as snake plants (Sansevieria) or ZZ plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia).
Some may require more or less water than others. So you should research before making a purchase, asking the sellers to ensure you're choosing succulents that will be a good fit for your space.
3. Using The Wrong Soil
There are right and wrong types of soil to grow your succulent in — so it’s better that you choose the right kind. Note that, regular potting soil or soil from your garden would be ok, but it might not provide the proper drainage that succulents need, and can lead to root rot.
Good drainage is crucial for succulents because they are adapted to arid environments where water is scarce. When choosing soil for succulents, look for mixes that contain:
- Perlite,
- Pumice,
- Coarse sand,
- Or gravel.
These ingredients help prevent waterlogged soil, allowing the roots to breathe and reducing the risk of root rot.
4. Not Providing Enough Light
Not providing enough light is a common mistake that can lead to elongated, weak succulents due to their need for bright light or even direct sunlight.
Succulents are natural sun-loving plants, originating from arid environments. When grown indoors, it's crucial to replicate their natural habitat by providing ample light. To ensure your succulents are happy, consider placing them in south-facing windows to receive the brightest light throughout the day.
If natural light is limited, supplementing with grow lights can be a great solution. Position the grow lights overhead or at a slight angle to mimic the sun's rays and maximize light exposure for the plants.
5. Forgetting to Rotate Them
Not rotating succulents can cause uneven growth as one side of the plant receives more light than the other.
This common mistake can lead to etiolation, where your succulent stretches towards the light source, resulting in a lopsided appearance.
By rotating your succulents regularly, you ensure that all sides of the plant receive equal light exposure, promoting balanced growth and preventing potential damage to the plant.
Rotating your succulents can help maintain their overall health, preventing them from becoming leggy and weak due to inadequate illumination on certain sides.
6. Not Pruning Correctly
Not pruning succulents correctly can hinder their growth and overall health, which is an important aspect of succulent care for any plant parent.
Proper pruning techniques involve knowing when and how to trim your succulents. Regular pruning helps promote new growth by removing dead or damaged parts, stimulating the plant to put energy into new shoots. Removing diseased or crowded areas through pruning can prevent the spread of infections and ensure the plant stays healthy.
By carefully pruning your succulents, you not only shape their growth but also prevent them from becoming leggy or straggly. Pruning plays a crucial role in maintaining the overall aesthetics and well-being of your succulent garden.
7. Using The Wrong Fertilizer
Using the wrong fertilizer can lead to nutrient imbalances in succulents, making it essential to choose a fertilizer specifically formulated for these plants.
There are primarily two types of fertilizers that are suitable for succulents: liquid fertilizers and slow-release fertilizers.
Liquid fertilizers provide a quick nutrient boost and are easily absorbed by the plants, whereas slow-release fertilizers release nutrients gradually over time, providing a more sustained feeding.
Balance is key when it comes to succulent fertilization, as too much of one nutrient can lead to issues like root burn or poor growth. It's crucial to look for a fertilizer with a balanced NPK ratio (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) to ensure that your succulents receive all the necessary nutrients.
8. Not Providing Adequate Drainage
When choosing pots for succulents, we suggest to choose porous materials such as unglazed ceramic or terracotta. These materials allow for better airflow and help prevent overwatering by promoting evaporation. Proper drainage is crucial for the health of succulents because they are prone to root rot if water accumulates around their roots for too long.
Choose the containers with built-in drainage systems, such as raised drainage holes or built-in saucers, can further enhance the drainage process, keeping the soil well-drained and aerated for healthier plant growth.
When you buying a pot with too small drainage hole, or DIY one, remember drilling the bigger hole for your happy succulents.
9. Ignoring Signs Of Pests
Ignoring signs of pests can cause significant damage to succulents and other houseplants, as early detection and treatment are crucial for plant health.
Common pests that can affect succulents include mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids. These pests can cause wilting, yellowing leaves, sticky residues, and stunted growth in your plants.
To prevent such infestations, it's important to regularly inspect your succulents for any signs of pests. Look out for webbing, cotton-like clusters, tiny moving spots, or holes in the leaves.
If you notice any of these signs, it's best to consult with experts like Jen McDonald from Garden Girls, LLC. for advice on appropriate treatment methods.
10. Planting Too Many in small space
While succulent arrangements can be beautiful for house decoration, planting too many succulents together in one container can lead to problems. Overcrowding can limit the amount of space each plant has to grow and lead to competition for water and nutrients in the soil.
To avoid this, make sure to give your succulents plenty of room to spread out and grow, and consider repotting them into separate containers if they start to look cramped.
11. Not Repotting When Necessary
Not repotting succulents when necessary can lead to root-bound plants, where the roots outgrow the pot size and affect the plant's overall health.
One of the signs that a succulent needs repotting is when you notice the roots circling the bottom of the pot, indicating that the plant has outgrown its current container. If the plant is top-heavy and tips over easily, it may be time for a new pot.
Choosing the right pot size is crucial for healthy root growth. When repotting, select a container that is only slightly larger than the current one to prevent excess soil retention and potential root rot.
12. Planting with Non-succulents
While succulents can look great when planted with other indoor plants, it's important to choose companions that have similar growing requirements.
Planting baby succulents with some greeners which require more frequent watering or less light can lead your cuties to problems. As the succulents may not be getting the proper care they need to thrive, they will leave you soon.
If you do want to mix succulents with other plants, make sure to choose ones that have similar watering and light needs.
13. Placing it near a heat source at Home
While succulents are generally pretty tolerant of heat, placing them too close to a heat source like a radiator or fireplace can cause them to dry out too quickly and become stressed.
Similarly, placing them near an air conditioner or drafty window can cause temperature fluctuations that can be harmful to the plant. Instead, try to keep your succulents in a spot with consistent temperatures between 40-80°F.
Choosing the right pot size is crucial for healthy root growth. When repotting, select a container that is only slightly larger than the current one to prevent excess soil retention and potential root rot.
How Do I Know What's Wrong with My Succulent?
Wondering what’s going on with your succulent? The best way to diagnose the issue is by checking the roots. Healthy roots are white or yellow. If you see black or brown roots, it’s a sign of root rot, usually caused by overwatering.
But don’t stop there—take a look at the leaves too. Personally, I find that watching the leaves can easily reveal problems with succulents. However, it does take a bit of experience to interpret what they’re telling you. While it’s normal for a few leaves at the bottom to die off naturally, if all the leaves start looking wrinkled, your succulent probably isn’t getting enough water. Keep an eye on these signs to keep your succulent happy and healthy.
Conclusion: How to Cultivate a Thriving Succulent?
Growing succulents can be a rewarding and enjoyable hobby, but it's important to be aware of the common mistakes that can lead to unhealthy plants. By avoiding overwatering, choosing the right soil and containers, providing adequate light and drainage, and being mindful of pests and other potential problems, you can set your succulents up for success.
Remember, the key to happy succulents is to mimic their natural growing conditions as closely as possible. These plants are native to arid environments with well-draining soil and plenty of bright light, so try to recreate these conditions in your home to keep your succulents thriving.