The 9 Plant-Care Tips to Caring for Succulents (and Not Killing Them)

Light Is the Most Important Thing for Your Succulents

A succulent requires about six hours of sunlight per day, but it depends on the type of succulent. Succulents that are newly planted can scorch in direct sunlight, so you should gradually expose them to full sun exposure or shade them from the sun with a sheer curtain.

Rotate Succulents Frequently

You can't beat direct sun, but if your succulent sits in the same spot every day, it might only get light from one side. Langton and Ray recommend rotating the plants frequently. Because succulents tend to lean toward the sun, rotating them will allow them to stand straight. If they are leaning towards the sun, they may need to move.)

Water According to the Season

Succulents require extra energy when they're in a growth phase. When the plants are thriving and growing in the spring and summer, they consume more water than when they're resting in the fall and winter. When Langton and Ray recommend testing the soil with a finger, grab your watering can when the top 125 inches of soil are dry. Water your succulents only when the soil is dry between waterings, to avoid overwatering.

Water the Soil Directly

You should soak the succulent soil until the water runs out of the drainage holes. Water is less efficient in containers without drainage holes. Watering your succulents with a spray bottle can cause brittle roots and moldy leaves. If you place the pots in a pan of water with a drainage hole, you can allow the water to absorb. If the soil on top of the pan is moist, remove it from the pan.

Keep Succulents Clean

Your indoor plants will eventually accumulate dust on their surfaces, which will hinder their growth, explain Langton and Ray. Wash the leaves and stems with a damp cloth (use a soft paintbrush to reach hard-to-reach spots).

Choose a Container with Drainage

In order to prevent rot, succulents do not like sitting in waterlogged soil. An outlet should be provided for the excess water in your container. Beginners should consider Terracotta pots.

Proper Soil for Succulents

Regular potting soil from your yard will not work for succulents because they need draining soil. flat cactus or potting soil mixed with sand, pumice, or perlite are best. Be careful when repotting succulents since their roots are fragile.

Get Rid of Bugs

Succulents indoors shouldn't be a pest problem, but occasionally you will have to deal with bugs. Grates are attracted to succulents in moist soil with poor drainage, which are attracted to gnats. Isopropyl alcohol is effective for removing eggs and larvae from the soil. Mealybugs are another pest that afflicts succulent owners. It is common for mealybugs to be spread by overwatering and overfertilizing. Displace infected plants from other succulents and spray with 70% isopropyl alcohol.

Fertilize Succulents in the Summer

Succulents don't need much fertilizer, but you can give them light feedings during spring and summer. It is important not to overfertilize your succulent. This will result in it growing too quickly and becoming weak.