Nine Plant-Care Tips That Will Help You Take Care of Succulents (And Not Kill Them)

Make Sure Your Succulents Have Enough Light

According to the type of succulent, succulents need about six hours of sunlight each day. Succulents can scorch in direct sunlight, so it's best to gradually expose them to sunlight or provide shade with a sheer curtain.

Rotate Succulents Frequently

Succulents love direct sun, but if yours sits in the same spot every day, it is likely that only one side is getting enough light. Langton and Ray suggest rotating the plant frequently. In order to help succulents stand straight, rotating them will help them lean towards the sun. If why are my hens and chicks growing tall are leaning, they may need to be in the sun more often.

Water According to the Season

Growing succulents also require more energy. As the plants thrive during the spring and summer, they eat more water than when they rest in the fall and winter. If the top 125 inches of soil are dry, Langton and Ray suggest that you grab a watering can. It is very important to let the soil dry between waterings so that you don't kill your succulent.

Water the Soil Directly

When watering your succulents, soak the soil until water runs out the drainage holes. Please use less water if your container does not have drainage holes. Don't spray your succulents with water as this can cause brittle roots and moldy leaves. Alternatively, you can put the pot in a pan of water and let it absorb water through the drainage hole. As soon as the soil is moistened, remove it from the pan.

Keep Succulents Clean

Your indoor plants will gradually accumulate dust on their surfaces, which can hamper their growth, write Langton and Ray. Use a damp cloth to wipe off the leaves and spines (use a soft paintbrush to reach harder-to-reach areas).

Choose a Container with Drainage

It is important to drain soil well to prevent rotting of succulents. The container should have a drainage hole to allow excess water to drain. Pots made of Terra-cotta are ideal for beginners.

Succulents Grow in the Right Soil

You can't use regular potting soil from your yard, since succulents require draining soil. Select cactus potting soil or mix potting soil with pumice, sand, or perlite. Be gentle with succulent roots when repotting.

Get Rid of Bugs

Although bugs shouldn't be a problem with indoor succulents, you may occasionally encounter them. In poor drainage soil and soil that is too wet, gnats will be attracted to succulents. If you want to get rid of eggs and larvae, spray the soil with 70% isopropyl alcohol. The mealybug is another pest succulent owners must deal with. Overwatering and overfertilizing are likely to cause mealybugs. Spray 70 percent isopropyl alcohol on infected plants and move them away from other succulents.

Fertilize Succulents in the Summer

It is not necessary to fertilize succulents much, but you can give them a light feeding during the spring and summer growing seasons. Overfertilizing your succulent can cause it to grow too rapidly and become weak.