Tips for Watering Succulents

TIPS FOR WATERING SUCCULENTS INDOORS

Because they store water in their leaves, stems, and roots, frequent watering will do them in. I live in the Tucson desert which is very dry (not to mention hot!) for the majority of the year. I water my succulents indoors every 2-3 weeks in the summer months. How often you water yours depends on some of the factors listed below.

Adjust the watering schedule for those cooler, darker winter months. Your succulents will need less water at this time. I water mine about every 4 weeks in winter.

It’s best if the pots your succulents are growing in have drainage holes. This ensures water flows out and prevents excess water from building up in the bottom of the pot. This will lead to root rot.

Succulents like and do best in a special soil mix. It ensures good drainage and aeration which the roots need. There are many brands on the market. Here’s the recipe   DIY succulent and cactus mix that I use for both my indoor and outdoor succulents.

Just because the top of the soil is dry, it doesn’t mean the rest of the soil is. The majority of the roots are in the bottom half so thoroughly check the soil mass if you can.

Put the spray bottle away – succulents don’t need misting. Don’t drench the leaves! If you spill some water on the leaves, no worries. Just drain it off.

The temperature comes into play. If you keep it cooler, then water less often. If you’re like me and you keep yours warmer, you’ll probably have to water more often.

The smaller the pot, the more often you’ll water.

The lower the light conditions (succulents do their best in bright natural light), the less often.

The higher the humidity, the less often. The humidity here in Tucson is often below 10%. If you’re growing indoor succulents in places like Hawaii and Florida, you’ll most likely water less often than me.

The fewer the number of drain holes, the less often.

If your succulents are directly planted in porous containers like unglazed terra cotta or unglazed ceramic, you may have to water a tad more often.

WHAT I USE TO WATER SUCCULENTS INDOORS

On the regular, I use the small watering can (shown above) because the majority of my succulents indoors are in small containers. I use a larger can for my larger succulents like Pencil Cactus and Euphorbia ingens.

I use  the squeeze bottle with the pointed spout pictured above to water succulents that are tricky to do with a can. This may be due to the fact the plants are very small or they’re tightly planted in a smaller container. It’s also good for watering succulent leaves you may be propagating.

INDICATIONS OF WATERING ISSUES

The leaf on the left indicates too much water. It’s mushy and the color has faded.

The one on the right indicates too little water. It has lost its plumpiness and is wrinkled.