How often to water succulents | Care Guide

Find out how often to water succulents in this complicit care guide with clear instructions, advice, and tips.

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The popularity of succulents continues to grow. They come in a wide range of sizes, forms, colors and shapes, making them appealing to almost everyone.

This post serves as a guide and will give you things to think about when determining how often you should water your succulents, whether they’re planted in the ground, in pots, or growing as houseplants. In climates with infrequent rain, they’ve adapted in a way that allows them to store water for much longer than regular houseplants.

How to water indoor succulents

For most succulents, water once a month in the winter and every two weeks in the summer.

Succulents store water in their leaves, stems or roots. Many people like to include them in landscaping because they can survive in hot, dry conditions without watering frequently.

When you water your succulent plants, make sure you give them enough time to dry out in between watering. This will help to eliminate the likelihood of root rot.

You should also be careful not to submerge the roots of your succulent plant in water, as this can cause it to rot.

The most important thing you should do is to read the tag that comes with your succulent, and it will tell you how much water it needs.

If you are using tap water, let it sit out for a couple of hours so that the chlorine can evaporate, and then water your plants.

Succulents can be watered with a watering can, or a watering wand.

How to water outdoor succulents

I’m going to give you a few suggestions for how to water succulents when they’re in the ground and in pots.

If you’re planting your succulents in the ground, it’s important to make sure that the soil stays moist for at least six months of the year. In regions with little rainfall, succulents will develop special adaptations like long taproots. These roots might grow over ten meters deep and help them access water from underground sources. For this type of succulent, it is recommended that you allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. With this type of succulent, typical watering intervals are about once every two weeks.

If you are growing your plants in pots, there are a few steps you can take. The first is to make sure your pot has a drainage hole in the bottom. The water should be able to flow out of the pot and irrigate into soil. As for how often to water, it’s best that you wait until the top inch or two of soil gets dry before watering again. In general, you should only water outdoor succulents in pots once per week.

The second thing you can do is use mulch to help conserve moisture in the soil. Succulents like it dry, but they still require some water in order for their roots to properly absorb nutrients and minerals from the soil. Opt for organic mulches like grass clippings, pine needles, or wood chips to keep the soil around your succulents moist.

How often to water succulents

Succulents are not like other plants in that they are capable of storing a lot of water in their fleshy leaves and stems.

The best way to water succulents is to let the water run through the container for a few minutes. This way, the succulents can absorb the water slowly. You do not want the water to run off quickly and sit at the bottom of the container. This will leave your succulents sitting in water. The best way to water succulents is to water them every one to two weeks. Succulents do not need a lot of water, and too much water will rot them.

Succulents need to be watered less often than other plants. The best way to test if your succulents are getting the right amount of water is to feel the soil. If the soil is dry down to 1/2 inch, you can water your succulents. Do not water the top inch of soil but water the entire soil area.

Water succulents when the soil is dry to the touch. This will vary depending on the type of succulent and its size.

For most succulents, water once a month in the winter and every two weeks in the summer. However, if you are watering them every week, make sure you are letting the water drain through the bottom of the containers.

Another great approach is to water once the top 1/2 inch layer for small sized plants and 1-1/2 inches top layer is dry.

Water succulents in the morning or in the evening will also help to avoid a lot of the loss to evaporation.

As you can see, watering succulents is not as hard as it seems. Just stick to the schedule and your plants will do well.

How much water do succulents need

Succulents do not need a lot of water. In general, it is best that you wait until the top inch or two of soil gets dry before watering again. In general, you should only water outdoor succulents in pots once per week.

Succulents are not like other plants in that they are capable of storing a lot of water in their fleshy leaves and stems. They also store water in their roots. Water accumulates along these stem folds between the cells which is what makes succulent plants so resistant to droughts.

Succulents watering frequency and amount of water has to do with the age of the plant, size of container and type of soil used. For example, small succulents in small pots will require 3-5oz of water every two weeks. Medium sized succulents in medium pots will require 7-10 oz of water every two weeks. Succulents in big pots will require 10 -15oz of water every two weeks.

Succulent plants that are kept indoors require about 1 cup of water every ten days to one month depending on the type and size of succulent plant.

The amount should be increased during hot weather and decreased when the weather is cold and rainy.

Signs that your succulent needs more water

There are many great signs that indicate when the plant needs water. The most common sign is when the soil becomes dry. You can also tell if your plant needs water by looking for wilting leaves, dry or shriveled stems, and slowed or stopped growth.

Other signs that your succulents needs more water are when its colors fade or if leaves fall off. You’ll know your succulent needs watering or needs more water if it wilts a bit and you see its leaves curling up a little. If the plant has very few leaves remaining, brown leaves, or leaves that are completely yellow/white, it may be too dry. When roots appear brown, that’s a sign that the plant needs water immediately.

If you’re not sure whether a succulent needs more water, it’s best to err on the side of caution and let the soil dry out completely before watering again. You’ll also want to avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot.

Signs that your succulent was overwatered

The most common mistake people make when watering their succulents is watering too much. It is better to water the plants less often. If your succulent is wilting, it is an indication that you are watering it too much. Be sure to follow the instructions on the tag that comes with your succulent.

If you are watering your succulents and the water is leaking out the bottom of the container, you are watering them too much.

You can water them less often or check the drainage holes on the bottom of the container and put in a few extra drainage holes if necessary. This way, the water can leave the container and not pool up. Poke the holes with an ice pick or a toothpick.

If you are watering succulents too often, they will not be able to absorb the water fast enough, and the water will pool up at the base of the container. They will start to rot and die. If they are in a small container, the water will not have anywhere to go except to pool up at the bottom of the container. You can check to see if you are watering them too often by checking the soil after watering. If the water has soaked down more than 1/2 inch, you are watering them too often.

When succulents are overwatered, the leaves will show some signs of rot. These may include browning or spotting of leaves. If you notice that the plant is starting to sit in water, it is likely that it was overwatered. One sign that your succulent has been overwatered is when the tips of its leaves turn black and start to shrink up on themselves.

Other factors that impact watering

Depending on many factors, succulents’ need for water may vary. Here are some common factors that will change how often to water succulents:

• season – In the summertime, your plants will need more water. In the winter, they may need less water depending on where you live.
• light – Succulents that get less light will need more water. Succulents that receive more light will need less water.
• humidity – Succulents that live in a dry climate will need more water. Succulents that live in a humid climate may need less water.
• temperature – Succulents that live in a hot climate will need more water. If your plants are outside, they’ll need more watering during the summer.
• pot size – A small pot may need less water than a larger pot.
• plant size – A larger succulent will need more water than a smaller succulent.
• soil mix type – Succulents that are planted in rich soil will need less water.
• container type – Plants that are planted in a clay pot will need more water than plants that are planted in a plastic or metal container.
• drainage – Succulents that have good drainage will need more water, because the roots will dry out quicker. Succulents that have poor drainage may need less water because the roots will not dry out as quickly.
• planting depth – If your succulents are planted too deep, they cannot access the water in the soil. When planting succulents, be sure to plant them at the correct depth.
• location – If you live in a dry climate, your plants will need more water. If you live in a humid climate, they may need less water.

How to water succulents while propagating

Succulents need water to grow. Plants need water to live.

For propagating succulents, if the succulent has new baby leaves, you should not let the soil dry out completely between watering as this could kill the plant’s roots and leave them vulnerable to rot.

If you are propagating succulents, keep them barely moist between watering. You can water your young plants with the same frequency as the mother plant. If it is cold season, be sure to cut back on how often you water them.

Tips for watering succulents

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when watering succulents:

• Succulents will let you know when they need water. If the leaves are curling up, this is a good indication that they are lacking water.
• Let the top 1/2 inch of soil completely dry out before watering again.
• Succulents with very thick leaves,  require less water than succulents with thin leaves.
• When planting new succulents, give them enough time to establish before you start watering them regularly.
• If your succulent has roots but no dirt, it is important to soak the plant in tepid water until the plant absorbs enough so that the root ball expands and the roots become visible. After the plant has been watered, you can place it in a pot with soil and let the plant dry out completely before watering again.
• If your succulents have been outside in full sun throughout the summer or have just been transplanted to a new area, they will need more water than usual for several weeks as they recover.
• For succulents are planted in containers with holes, water will drain out the bottom of the container quickly. If you see that all of the water has drained out, give it time to dry out again before adding more water to the container.
• Succulents like to be watered early in the morning or in the evening. This is because they like to be watered when the sun is not shining directly on them. Watering succulents when the sun is shining on them can cause them to overheat and die. Watering succulents in the morning or in the evening will also help to avoid a lot of the loss to evaporation.
• Use succulents appropriate soil mix so that the extra water can easily run though.
• Avoid water in the heart of the plant to avoid rotting.
• Use a pot with a hole to let the extra water out.
• Use filtered water to avoid mineral deposits. As an alternative, use tap water, just leave it overnight.

Conclusion

Succulents are popular houseplants because they do not require a lot of water. They do not require a lot of sunlight and can actually thrive in the dark. Succulents are very forgiving and easy to take care of.

However, they like to be watered from the bottom, and they like to be watered early in the morning or in the evening. Therefore, succulents are great houseplants for people who do not have a green thumb.

I hope that the provided information on how to water succulents is helpful in making sure your plants thrive. If you have any questions about caring for succulents, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re always here to help our readers care for their plants so they can enjoy beautiful green additions wherever they live.