How To Properly Take Care Of A Succulent
Every plant lover out there has most likely had their fair share of owning a succulent. You can use them in both indoor and outdoor spaces, which makes them the perfect addition to any home! Succulents have been trending in the houseplant world for quite some time now, so it seems like everyone wants one! However, what people don’t realize is that succulents are not very easy to care for. Fortunately for you, we have put together instructions on how to properly take care of a succulent.
Watering
When it comes to watering, succulents are very low maintenance. They don’t require much water at all, so over-watering them is the main reason they die. It’s recommended that you only water your succulent once every two weeks, but make sure to wait until the soil has completely dried up before watering again! If you feel like your succulent is wilting, then it might be time to water. However, never water your succulents when the soil is damp. Succulents are unique because they can retain water, which makes them the perfect houseplant for you. Over-watering symptoms include the plant rotting, yellowing, dropping leaves, or if it just doesn’t look good.
Drainage
Succulents need great drainage, so make sure there is a lot of space between your succulent and the pot. When it comes to size, the larger, the better! As the succulent experts from https://succulentalley.com/ say, big pots make big plants! Make sure that your succulent is raised at least 1-3 inches from the top of the pot to ensure proper drainage. You want to pour water over the soil, so it can properly drain out of all sides. A bigger container also means that there will be more oxygen for the roots and therefore less chance of rotting. Make sure you choose a container with holes in the bottom to give the roots the proper drainage and to let out all of the water after you water your succulents.
Location
When it comes to location, make sure you place your plant in an area where there is bright sunlight and also somewhere cool at the same time. Succulents need exposure to sunshine! If they receive too little light, then it might affect their growth, causing them to become extremely leggy. However, you want to avoid direct sunlight because it can burn succulent leaves. In addition, if you’re living in a hotter climate, then it might be too hot for the succulents. In this case, shade is your best friend.
Temperature
Believe it or not, succulents love the cold! They are from desert areas, which means they come from very hot places. Therefore, you want to make sure that your succulent is kept in a cool place. In addition, if you live in a humid area, high temperatures might cause rot on the roots. Giving them some shade will help cut down the humidity and keep your succulent healthy. Additionally, be sure to check on your succulents when the weather changes. For example, if it’s hotter than usual, then you might want to shift their location or water them less.
Fertilizing
Even though succulents do not require much water, they do need nutrients to grow. You can either use cactus/succulent potting mix or regular potting soil. Place the soil in your container and lightly fertilize it with plant food that is specific for succulents. Make sure you only apply the fertilizer once every month, so it doesn’t burn your succulent roots. Make sure you scoop some fertilizer into the soil around your plant but don’t ever put the fertilizer on top of the plant!
Repotting
As your succulent grows, it’s going to need a bigger pot. You want to do this in the spring when temperatures are cool. If you don’t repot your succulents in the spring, they will most likely die because of root rot. For cacti, a little bit of a prickly pear cactus mix is perfect. For succulents, the best soil to use is succulent and cactus mix. If you’re adding new soil to the pot, then make sure that it’s not too heavy for your plant! You can use some rocks or water at the bottom of your new container to add weight. In addition, when repotting, make sure you cut any dead leaves off of the plant before re-potting.
Common Problems
Three common problems come with many succulents. The leaves can turn yellow or brown, either from being in the wrong soil mixture, getting too much water, or not enough water. They can also get soft and mushy if they are overwatered, which happens when the plant is in a small pot with very little drainage. This causes root rot and eventually death. Lastly, most succulents only flower once and then die, but they can be propagated from the offsets that result. A warning: it is very easy to over-propagate succulents, which results in a bunch of tiny little plants without roots.
Succulents are some of the easiest plants to take care of, but knowing how to properly water, fertilize, and store them is essential for keeping your plants happy and healthy. With these simple guidelines in mind, be sure you will grow healthy succulents in no time!
