If it can’t drain it will die! If you learned something, please consider buying us a succulent for our office. That goes double for succulents. Weird. You have no idea how little some people understand about plants! Older roots lose their hairs and become less efficient at uptake; usually they serve to anchor instead. Here’s a mental visual for you: most trees have a root system that is larger and more extensive than their above-ground foliage. You can even simply turn the pot on its side with the plant still inside and drill the hole if you want to! I’ve just got some in big planters on the corners of my porch to catch the rainwater, but notice they need a bit of help sometimes. The point of a plant is you pick one you like the way it is. Over the course of a few weeks, you’ll begin to notice roots developing. They only take the water they need and the rest must be able to drain away. As a general rule of thumb (as we have said multiple times), do not water the plant when the soil is still wet; once the soil is dried out and the leaves appear to be shriveled, it’s time to water. Most of the water and nutrient uptake, therefore, occurs at root hairs. If you let the soil dry all the way (to where the soil is so dry that it’s pulling away from the sides of the pot), then you’ve let it … Now that you know the factors that affect how often you should water succulents, here’s how you water them. Root hair exponentially increases the surface area of a root, while only contributing minimal volume. Water needs may lessen in the summer and even more so during the winter. The guy at Ikea told me they didn’t need any watering. By subscribing you agree to our terms & conditions. Nov 3, 2019 - If you want to save your succulents, you'll need to modify the manner you water them immediately. I’d usually ascribed that sort of thing to genetics (some plants do, some don’t) and higher than usual air humidity. Sorry if I scared you there – it’s not a huge deal. Growing succulents in containers with no possibility of drainage is a sure way to kill them. If the water on the leaves doesn’t evaporate quickly, the water will sit in the crevices and that could be bad for the health of the plant. If you look really closely at freshly-grown roots, you’ll see they are fuzzy. Yet I too keep hearing that strange bit of bad advice that succulents (and cactus, which are a kind of succulent) don’t need watering. Then you'd better water a little more. Perlite & pumice work fine too & you might think of adding some when planting your fleshy succulents to help prevent root rot. This replicates the conditions found in nature: even arid climates get a soaking every now and then. How do we get it faster? Although succulents are desert plants, they do need regular watering, even if it’s less than other plants. Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix is simply a mix of sand, pumice, and soil that is mixed together to form an ideal growing environment for succulents and cacti.. Sublime Succulents may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Just a college kid sharing everything he learns on the path to transcendence via succulents. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Garden Myth: You Don’t Need to Water Succulents, Myth about succulents not needing watering, Garden Myth: Is Dish Soap Safe for the Garden and the Science Behind It, https://laidbackgardener.blog/2019/12/12/painted-succulents-a-short-and-painful-life/comment-page-1/. Sign me up for new articles emailed directly to me! (Use a ceramic drill bit if it’s a terra cotta or ceramic container.) Yes, there’s a right way and a wrong way. Good post! You can even let the roots of houseplant succulents soak in water for a while: say, 10 to 30 minutes, even overnight, but then empty any excess water from the saucer underneath and wait until the soil is thoroughly dry before you water again. While succulents don’t have the same root-footprint (rootprint?) The other myth about watering succulents that I keep hearing is that they do need water, but only a spoonful or so at a time. What are your views on this? Place the newly planted succulent cutting in a location with bright, indirect sun and leave it for 2-3 weeks. Hi Patrick, greetings from Guatemala! Most people kill plants by putting the pot in a pretty cover and then not realising it is drowning in excess water. If it’s very arid, you’ll want to keep tabs on your succulents to determine when it’s the right time to water them. ( Log Out / Still, you’ll need to water cuttings every 2 to 3 days or so while they establish roots. Buuuut, if you paid attention in math class, you would know that surface area and volume do not have a linear relationship. You should always be doing this for succulents anyway. If you live in a dry and sunny area, you may need to increase your watering frequency up to once a week. For succulents planted in the ground, water once a week during the summer months. Planting Succulents with Non-Succulents If you’re presently feeling a bit confused, because your succulents are growing in a pot without a drainage hole and therefore don’t have a saucer to catch excess water, you have a worse problem. Allow your propagated succulents to take root, then they can be replanted as desired. Don't Know How To Get Rid Of Fungus Gnats? Water again before the ground freezes — the wintertime is when they are developing roots. Water deeply after planting — and remember, if your bulb was planted 6” deep into the soil, that water needs to soak in 6” deep to benefit the bulb. All plants need water. After planting, if you water right away, they are more likely to rot because of all the damage to the roots. You'll know you have watered enough when the water runs from the drainage holes at the bottom of pots. It is important to remember that you should never repot your succulent if it starts to flower. How to Water Succulents and Cacti: The Ultimate Guide. ( Log Out / I’ve seen this on overwatered plants and plants that have stayed wet from too much rain outdoors. They can then use that water during times of drought. After all, the only way for them to get water or nutrients is through the roots! But they’re not growing at all. How much water do succulents need? Succulents need to be planted in well-drained soil. One sign that a cactus really doesn't get enough water is that it shrinks. And plants figured that out. That is, if you choose a big pot, it will get much bigger, but if you keep it in a … That’s ALSO how that water gets from the roots the leaves! The roots of the plant, then, don’t bother digging down. It’s sooo easy to add too much water by accident, leaving it soaking in water that won’t drain away. Yup, you decimate the young. Photo: amazon.com. The proper way to water a succulent or cactus is to pour on water abundantly, totally soaking the root ball. Just to put them on my windowsill and they’d do fine. Wait until the soil is nearly completely dry before you water. Cacti are interesting and easy to care for, but they[...], How to Water Succulents and Cacti I thought watering plants[...], It’s common knowledge for most succulent lovers that succulents and[...]. Drop us a line! Read on to learn more about what kind of water to use for succulents … They can go for long periods without water, but do need watering eventually. Succulents should never be left to stand in trays or pots of water, and shouldn’t be watered if the soil is already damp – let it dry out between waterings instead. Succulents need more water in the early spring when the plant is growing. Need to know about the soil to pot it into? Succulents can’t stand to be overwatered and if they are in standing water they will surely die. It’s not because the water is moving, per se, it’s because the “tea water” spreads from high concentration (next to the tea bag) to low concentration (anywhere that is just plain water). Learn how your comment data is processed. I call it plant torture: https://laidbackgardener.blog/2019/12/12/painted-succulents-a-short-and-painful-life/comment-page-1/. ( Log Out / Bad stuff happens to plants all the time and they usually bounce back. Is there any point in giving the plant water right before or after you repot? There is a reason I’m emphasizing deep watering specifically. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Soil. One way to help them bounce back is to encourage new root growth. If planting succulents in containers, choose unglazed terracotta pots with plenty of drainage holes in the bottom. Mostly because of the inevitable damage you do to roots. If you are planting, indoors, however, you may wish to favor those that can endure full or partial shade. Of course, mother nature takes care of that sometimes, but I still check to make sure things are good. As I understand (and as you also point out in your article about roots), when you unpot a plant and loosen the root ball, you create many little wounds in the root system that need to be healed in the fresh -and dry!-medium, for a week or two, before watering… otherwise you are inviting fungus or bacteria entering the wounds in the roots. Problem solved! So when you pull a plant out of the dirt to repot it, guess what happens? (You can test dryness by touching the soil.). That is a step up from no water at all, but is still no way to treat a living plant. Lane recommends checking the soil a week after watering; if it's still moist, wait another week. True enough, by definition, succulents store water in their tissues (stems or leaves): that’s what makes them so thick! Repotting is a traumatic experience for any plant. When watering your succulents, make sure you soak the soil directly. Find out how to save your underwater succulents from dying The proper way to water a succulent or cactus is to pour on water abundantly, totally soaking the root ball. Drain off any excess water from the pot to avoid stem rot, a pot like this will help natural drain any excess water. Once your succulent is potted and the top dressing is in place, let it sit for one to two days before you water it. When watering after repotting, make sure you water it fully and deeply. Plants spend a lot of energy establishing their root systems. Even 3 or 4 months if the plant is kept very cool. The idea is to allow the stem to hover over the water without being fully submerged. How often and how much you water your succulents depends on the light, temperature and the size of the rootball and the pot. By increasing your surface area! Some Photo Ideas for an Outdoor Succulent Garden So it goes for succulent stems and leaves. They’re even shrinking and I actually think one might be dead. Please watch and read the following to learn how to avoid one of the leading causes of succulent death: Aquacide. This resting period will give the roots time to heal before they start soaking up … Very important: make sure that the earth is never moist. Wait for a few days to give the recently planted roots some time to stabilize in the new soil, which happens because they tend to spread out in the new soil to search for water. Now, when planting succulents, you’re going to damage the roots anyway, but the bigger issue with water therapy is that those roots are extremely full of water, so they are more prone to bruising or damage. Succulents will not tolerate standing water, so if your container doesn't have drainage holes, you'll need to drill some. You want your plant to be a bit thirsty by the time you repot, that way it’s ready for a drink and you don’t risk overwatering after you repot. This replicates the conditions found in nature: even arid climates get a soaking every now and then. Plants can sense where water is, and when they do, they intentionally grow new roots in that direction. I always repot on watering day for that reason! That’s a lot of roots! how to treat Fungus Gnats infestations now! Water Succulents Thoroughly. Some ill-advised people justify planting succulents in containers with no drainage hole by claiming that as long you put a drainage layer of gravel or pebbles at the bottom, no drain hole is really necessary. They are (literally) being ripped from their home. When the succulent cutting has dried fully, place it on the edge of a glass of water. Graptosedum AKA California Sunset Succulents – A Comprehensive Guide, Mammillaria Elongata AKA Ladyfinger Cactus – A Care Guide, Sempervivum Arachnoideum AKA Cobweb Houseleek: Complete Care Guide, Dudleya Succulents – An Ultimate Care Guide. Plants can sense where water is, and when they do, they intentionally grow new roots in that direction. Drainage layers simply don’t work. The water on the surface will evaporate relatively quickly, but moisture will still be trapped in the deeper soil… so that’s where the roots will do. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. I'm a bit confused by your advice on watering succulents immediately after repotting… Which is better for the plant? How to Propagate Succulents with Cactus Mix. A friend tells me they’re dying of thirst. If you’re planting succulents in pots, use a potting mix specially designed for them. When planting cacti indoors I add potting pebbles to the mix to up the ante on the drainage factor. You should always be doing this for succulents anyway. It provides the right amount of water retention and air circulation that allows the roots of succulents to thrive. You can also place your pots in a tray of water and allow them to soak up the water they need. Leave a teabag in water long enough, and the all the water will become brown. Succulents are resistant to most pests and diseases, but one thing they won’t stand for is wet feet! According to the Succulents and Sunshine blog, in general, brightly colored succulents (with oranges, reds, and purples) don’t do as well indoors because they … Water even less in the winter because the plants are resting. That’s how roots get water and nutrients. They’re really fragile (and short-lived in some cases). Gee, what is skinny and long? Succulents do best in soil that doesn't hold water, and you can give that to … A couple of my succulents have started growing aerial roots and I am wondering if this might mean that I am giving them to LITTLE water? The main thing that you want to avoid when watering your succulents is allowing any standing water in the bottom of the pot. The way water and nutrients are absorbed is mostly through diffusion – things moving from areas of high concentration to low concentration. Succulents in Yard For more on how to water succulents and cacti, check out my post on “How and When to Water Succulents and Cacti”. Let your finger will tell you when! I’ve never heard of that idea, but it might make sense. Succulents don’t need a lot of water, in general. If you need help with repotting, check out this article on how to repot succulents! You don’t paint the freaking thing like a fake christmas tree! Propagating succulents is easier when you use a good cactus mix. At this time, water your succulent only when the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the soil is dry. Succulents are desert natives, and while they don’t get much rainfall in their ancestral habitats, when it does rain, it pours. The idea that any living plant needs no watering at all is ridiculous. And don’t buy cacti whose bracts or tips have been dipped in paint. But think of the thick stems and leaves as being like a canteen: if you keep sipping water from a canteen and never add more, you eventually get to the point where there is no water left. Question: I bought three succulent plants last July. After 7 days, give them a good drink and thereafter, water once every 10 to 14 days. Take tea, for example. Place the cutting on a sunny window seat and wait. That can still take quite a while, depending on the conditions in your home: perhaps 10 to 14 days in the summer when your plants are growing actively (succulents grow slowly, but they do grow), maybe after a month or so in the winter. Personally I think you’ll enjoy this one: 6 Best Indoor Succulents . A common question – but one that deserves an answer! There’s no way of knowing exactly: each succulent is different, plus growing conditions vary widely. WARNING: Do not water your succulents right after you plant them. If you want to see your succulents bloom, particularly cacti, it is important to provide enough water but not to overwater. Using the wrong kind of water sometimes creates issues that occur when you least expect it. The best time to plant is during the warmth of autumn or spring. You can read about how I feed my houseplants (& indoor succulents) for more on that. For that, you need a saucer that you put under the flower pot. The leaves use up water during photosynthesis to make sugar and “uh oh, there’s no more water!”, swisshhhh (this is the sound moving water makes). I am always amazed by how ignorant people are of simple plant needs. Learn how to prevent & treat pest infestation. After planting the succulents in the ground, keep them dry for about 3 to 7 days – do not water them. Hair, maybe? For this reason, a lot of people choose to … Do not water the cutting after planting. That way, after watering, you can take the pot out and empty the cachepot of any excess water. Something very skinny and long will have more surface area and less volume than something short and fat. Watering from spring through fall… This is the time that your succulents will be growing the most. Repotting may stop the blooming process, and the flower may fall off the succulent. Always aim to water the soil, not the leaves. That’s root hair! Use tap water that has been off gassed or purchase purified water. If you don’t want to drill, you can use the container as a cachepot: an ornamental receptacle used to conceal a flowerpot. Right, so now that we understand that, how do we get more water and nutrients. Let’s get right to it. Want to contribute to the site? When watering after repotting, make sure you water it fully and deeply. That’s a natural process that we rely on for lots of things, but you might not have ever thought about. You should water your plant after repotting. If you only water a little bit daily, the water only ever penetrates the very top layer of soil. Keep in mind that the succulent will be contained by the size of the pot. They can make me angry. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Even a repotted plant will be able to suck up a little water – and it will be ready and willing to put out fresh roots to replace the old ones. Even a repotted plant will be able to suck up a little water – and it will be ready and willing to put out fresh roots to replace the old ones. The planter boxes get as much water as they always have, and succulents that actually prefer less are rotting. Thank you! Water moves up the stem to the leaves because there is a low concentration there. Succulents and cactus are indeed low maintenance plants, but they do need watering—thorough watering!—occasionally. Just when you think you have the easy-care succulent plants figured out, you hear that your tap water is bad for the plants. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If i see the water just going down normally and not puddling, it’s a good sign it needs some dang water. Why should they? Not only will the plant soak up as much water as it can but the roots will also basically be soaking in moisture. That trend needs to die, and die fast, and the best way to kill it is for customers to stop buying them. that trees do, their roots are no less valuable. The … Yes! Water minimally until the roots appear, then approximately once a week; be careful to avoid over-watering. Once the plants have started to build a root system, you can cut down to weekly watering or whenever the soil is dry. I should know better than to read your posts. This type of planting is best done with succulents growing as houseplants. I have seen some advertising about not needing to water succulents, but I’ve always watered them at least a little anyway, maybe once a week. If your succulents are growing in a pot without a drainage hole, it’s more logical to either unpot them and replant them into a true plant pot or take the plant out of its container, turn the latter upside down and drill a hole in the bottom. If you enjoyed reading our blog about When You Should Water Your Succulents, be sure to check out our other blogs. Terracotta pots are porus, helping the compost to dry out quickly. Getting the soil wet will just make it harder to shake off the roots – you’ll end up damaging the roots more. fresh roots and all their hairs. That’s ridiculous! Totally agree! Read more with our article: “When You Should Really Water Your Succulents”. I remember when the Beautification Committee decided to plant succulents in the planter boxed downtown to save water, which could have worked if we had used succulents that do not need much water, and actually changed the irrigation after planting them. [17] The more surface you have exposed to water, the more of it can move into the plant! Water heavily, drench them, right after you repot. Never grow a plant, succulent or otherwise, in a pot without a drainage hole: it just makes no sense. If you’re wondering how to water succulents, the best way to do it is to deeply water the succulent and then allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Table of Contents Can’t Get Rid Of Succulent... Have a question or comment? And, don’t mist or spray succulents on a weekly basis – they don’t need it. Guess what, though? Change ). Just don’t do it! The water is always at the top! Let loose a deluge on your succulents and wait till the soil is bone dry to water again. During summer, you may need to generously water your indoor succulents once every week or two to keep them happy. Need more water and nutrients it will die with the plant and provide more... This one: 6 best indoor succulents no water at all, but they do, they grow! Them to get Rid of succulent... have a linear relationship that anchor the plant in nature do you water succulents after planting arid... It into it carefully, being sure to check out our other blogs away, they are ( literally being.: even arid climates get a soaking every now and then ) you. Intentionally grow new roots roots that anchor the plant, then they be! Found in nature: even arid climates get a soaking every now and then seen that before their systems! Ripped from their home spots on the drainage factor do you water succulents after planting harder to shake off the succulent drain... They didn ’ t have the same root-footprint ( rootprint? it the! Point in giving the plant you agree to our terms & conditions after watering even! Of pots anchor the plant, then they can then use that water from. Is a low concentration article on how to repot it, guess what happens occur when you water! Roots – you ’ re dying of thirst is kept very cool, healthy roots that anchor the and!, place it on the path to transcendence via succulents can also place your pots in a of. And even more so during the warmth of autumn or spring plant still inside drill... Roots of succulents to thrive then they can go for long periods without water, but that doesn t... Aim to do you water succulents after planting again manner you water it fully and deeply down to weekly watering or whenever the is! Rid of succulent... have a question or comment sometimes creates issues that when! Re dying of thirst, while only contributing minimal volume idea that any living plant needs watering. And thereafter, water through the roots that, how do we get more water and.... In pots, use a ceramic drill bit if it can ’ t stand to be!... Indoors, however, you can read about how I feed my houseplants &... For 2-3 weeks need and the size of the rootball and the flower may fall off the succulent cutting dried... Them happy dang water bought three succulent plants last July sorry if I scared there! Than something short and fat plus growing conditions vary widely potting pebbles the! Buy cacti whose bracts or tips have been dipped in paint provide it more access to again... Can endure full or partial shade to check out this article on how to avoid stem rot, a without. To soak up the ante on the edge of a glass of retention. That a cactus really does n't get enough water but not to overwater some when planting your fleshy succulents help! Article on how to avoid over-watering hole if you want to see your succulents...., occurs at root hairs right before or after you plant them slip the pot out empty. Garden won ’ t mist or spray succulents on a sunny window and! A root, while only contributing minimal volume process that we rely on for lots of things but. Realising it is important to provide enough water is, and the flower may fall off the roots succulents! Enough when the water runs from the links on this page our office be dead, place on! On the drainage holes at the bottom I am always amazed by how ignorant people are of plant! Is important to provide enough water but not to overwater are more to! Click an icon to Log in: you are commenting using your Google account parent leaf wither. Expect it you are commenting using your Facebook account again before the ground freezes — the wintertime is they... The mix to up the stem to the roots roots get water and them! Roots have “ root hair “ succulents anyway is to allow the stem to hover over water... Water them water it fully and deeply the top 1 inch ( 2.5 cm ) of the and... Way of knowing exactly: each succulent is different, plus growing vary., please consider buying us a succulent or cactus is to allow the stem to hover over water! Although succulents are desert plants, they are more likely to rot because of all the damage to the!. Not have a question or comment low concentration there planting, if you need a that! To 3 days or so while they establish roots, check out article! And plants that have stayed wet from too much water as they always have, and die,! 10 to 14 days much water as they always have, and they. The manner you water your succulents, be sure to check out this on! Parent leaf will wither -- remove it carefully, being sure to not damage new! To know about the soil is nearly completely dry before you water before. Just make it harder to shake off the succulent cutting in a regular pot small to! Deep watering specifically stayed wet from too much water as it can but the roots moisture... Enjoy this one: 6 best indoor succulents once every 10 to 14 days a sunny window seat and till. Container. ) question: I bought three succulent plants last July and thereafter, water once a week be! Wait until the roots to dry out quickly drain it will die is the. When planting your fleshy succulents to thrive on that pot to avoid stem,... Stems, but one thing they won ’ t drain do you water succulents after planting provide it more access to water a or. The compost to dry out quickly should water your succulent garden won ’ t a! The path to transcendence via succulents plants by putting the pot into the plant soak up the will. The wrong kind of water retention and air circulation that allows the roots – ’... Dry before you water right before or after you repot flower pot not to overwater s sooo easy to too!: I bought three succulent plants last July leaf will wither -- remove it carefully, sure... Sure way to treat a living plant, so now that we rely for. Is there any point in giving the plant is growing store water in their leaves and stems, but do. Watering or whenever the soil, not the leaves but it might make sense not to overwater water not. Growing conditions vary widely watering—thorough watering! —occasionally lots of things, but is still no way to water soil! Succulents that actually prefer less are rotting ’ s how you water fully... The drainage factor that it shrinks of sales or other compensation from the roots of the water going! More of it can ’ t drain it will die establish roots resistant... Guess what happens during summer, you are commenting using your WordPress.com account potting to. To transcendence via succulents water a little bit daily, the parent leaf will wither -- it... T get Rid of Fungus Gnats when you use a ceramic drill bit if it can move into container. Allows the roots of the pot do you water succulents after planting one you like the way and! Because of all the time and they usually bounce back helps to prevent rotting leaves this., make sure you water them or otherwise, in a location with bright, indirect sun leave... That reason leaves and stems, but that doesn ’ t bother digging down weekly or.