An example might be a few species in the Kalanchoe genus, like K. tubiflora. Water cacti at least once a week in the spring and summer. Water your succulents daily or every alternate day until the wrinkles are gone. Summers in Arizona might have you watering your succulents every day. Drop us a line! Another is small size pots, they will lose steam more quickly. Much like the heavy downpour in the desert areas. It’s not unhealthy or dangerous to let them get that dehydrated. Which is okay and may be just because of ageing. But, when it does rain, it does so heavily and the soil gets completely saturated with water. And guess what? Water the plant until the soil is thoroughly soaked. This gives them time to breathe in between gulps. Like any living thing, succulent plants need water. What about the actual application of the water. A typical desert or arid region will only have a handful of rain showers per year. Keep in mind that factors like exposure to sunlight also affect how fast the soil dries out. Just like in their natural environment (dry, arid climates such as deserts), it may not rain for months. However, unlike regular cactus, the Christmas cactus isn’t totally drought resilient and requires more watering, care and attention – especially when you are trying to force bloom. (Keep in mind, however, that while all cacti are succulents, not all succulents are cacti.) But climate isn’t the only thing to consider during changing seasons. You can condition your plants to all drink at the same time. Watering incorrectly probably accounts for 90% of all succulent deaths! That’s all there is to watering! In addition, succulents (and other plants) generally do a lot of work at night. Ideally, larger than the succulent pot. Heck, the half the reason we like succulents so much is that they are low maintenance. If the pot or container you use has small holes, then water your succulent or cactus every week during its active growth period. Since there isn’t a lot of rain in the desert or whatever, your succulents and cacti shouldn’t get a lot of water. How to Water Succulents in the Winter. In worst cases, the succulent root and stem will rot due to excessive storage of water. Learn how to prevent & treat pest infestation. They require only modest amounts of water and fertilizer, but do need abundant light. Even if it is outside, don’t stress out about it. You also want to try to stretch out the amount of time between watering as much as possible. They take in oxygen and carbon dioxide both through tiny roots called root hairs. For example, a Pachyphytum oviferum (Moonstone) stores more water in its stems and leaves compared to a Sedum japonicum ‘Tokyo Sun' and therefore can sustain longer periods between watering. Just like us, succulents need more energy when they're in a period of growth. Plants in full sun tend to dry out more than those in lower light conditions, as do windy or drafty sites. I tried giving them water more often but their leaves continued to shrivel up and I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. Heck, it’s so intuitive you’ve probably done it before without realizing that you’re using an ancient, artful technique. Instead, they severely slow or even stop all growth. Air dry for 5 days or so. While your cactus is active, thoroughly water the soil to keep it moist. Give the plant a good soaking until water … Unlike a desert cactus, a Christmas Cactus cannot tolerate completely dry soil. If your succulents are winter growers (like Aeonium) they will likely need more frequent watering. how to treat Fungus Gnats infestations now! But… you’ll probably ignore that advice. Flowering. Take out the succulent pot of the drainage disc and drip the water out of the succulent pot and gently shaking. During the active growing season, around spring to fall, cacti need to be watered about once a week. The conditions will differ depending on your location and climate. Always check that the soil is less than an inch dry (you can do this by adding a thin dry wood to the soil and check the wetness of the soil. If you want to go this route, I’d suggest investing in a nice moisture meter. The best policy is to pay attention to your plants and learn how to identify their needs. How to water cactus properly. It will use the reservoir of water from the leaves, which causes the leaves to thin out. Be sure to stick your finger down at least 2 inches. Members of warm-climate, low-water plant families, they look best in a landscape that emphasizes their textures and shapes. Your chubby little plant will be grateful for the big gulp and be satisfied for a good while after. In the case of succulents, many can’t survive frost and snow anyway. Try this watering solution instead: Attach an 18-in.-long piece of clear tubing to the spout of a condiment bottle. Succulents are able to survive on limited water resources, such as dew and mist, making them tolerant of drought. This could be from a gap of 1 to 2 weeks. Adding the best fertilizer for succulents to your caring routine will surely be effective. The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) is a tropical plant and actually blooms in, well you guessed it, during the festive season. Well-draining soil. You’ll need to consider the weather too – watering right before a freeze might cause damage. Therefore, it is better to soak cacti similar to orchids instead of watering them, if the plant pot allows it. Using a spray bottle: spray water directly onto soil when dry to the touch. In this video I talk about how and when to water your cacti & Succulents. There is no single way to water your succulents, but here are some suggestions to help achieve the best results. If you are repotting or adding to your landscape the same rules apply, plant dry and wait to water. Cold hardy succulents (like Sempervivum, Rosularia and Sedum) need even less water in the winter. Is the temperature dropping? Just like sunlight, the amount of water a cactus or succulents needs varies from plant to plant. If you were to stumble upon a dormant succulent in the wild, you might think it was dead! Wet roots at low temperatures are the perfect conditions for rot. Drilling holes in ceramic or even glass isn’t very difficult. You see, there are lots of factors that can affect how often you should water. However, this isn’t the case with many non-draining planters. This is one of the imminent and obvious sign of overwatering succulents. This doesn’t work for all succulents, of course. Figuring out a good watering schedule for your succulents is quite important in keeping them alive and healthy, but it’s also a good idea to pay some attention to the correct way to go about watering and planting them. Succulent Market is the ultimate succulent store and is ready to provide cactus and succulent delivery in the most convenient way possible. Add several inches of a fast-draining cactus and succulent soil mix that contains at least one-third sharp builder's sand or pumice. No misting, either. It’s not super important. Sublime Succulents may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You’ll end up with a weak root system that doesn’t support the plant. In North Italy, this is from the end of March to the end of September; in South Italy even October and part of November. Are you Read more…, The succulents are one of the most wanted breeds of plants when they come to indoor gardening. In this case, you water your succulents less often. But don’t worry about the dirt just yet; we’ll talk about it later. Forget about watering. Watering succulents can be SO hard, and there are so many factors at play including climate, humidity, soil type, and of course, the type of succulent. Another solution may be ‘water therapy’. First, use a watering can or hose with a "rain" attachment. They don’t know if it’s technically winter or not. Use every ten days as your baseline, but watch your plants and adjust accordingly based on the weather, the season, and the species. Succulent and Cactus Water and Fertilizer Needs. Even if the temperature is 100 degrees Fahrenheit like it is in Arizona, that 100% humidity will prevent water from evaporating quickly. You’re looking for a reading of zero moisture, or very close to it. Outside, a generous hosing works quite well. For this reason, I slowly adjust all plants to the same watering schedule. Heavy compact, clay soils or those with heavy amounts of organic material tend to capture water and can cause rot in cactus roots and lower stems. Basically, you want to avoid spraying the plants and surrounding soil with high pressure streams of water. Keep in mind when you water a succulent or cactus is that you should water the soil in the pot and shouldn’t pour water directly on the leaves or stems because doing so will allow fungus or decay. It’s a lot like bears hibernating, only it doesn’t always happen during the winter! You’ll need to increase your watering dramatically. The most common killer of cacti and succulents is over-watering, A moisture meter is the only sure way to gauge how dry or wet the soil is. 1. For succulents in particular, water can wash off the “farina” – the white powdery stuff that acts like natural sunscreen. I am learning about growing the plants I adore. Plants don’t actually know what the date is, right? We’ll talk about that later, though. Be sure to empty the water that runs into the saucer beneath the plant pot. (Skip to the plant guides.) Succulents need deep watering, but will not use as much water as when they’re experiencing active growth. Water succulents and cacti easier with this tip. Cut them such a way that there is no sign of rot, preventing it to spread more. The safest way to water your new Senecio is just to wait until you see the leaves beginning to shrivel up. Fall and winter are the opposite, of course. They are well adapted to living in houses where the relative humidity is low. And make sure the succulents are in a well draining soil in a … If in doubt, don’t water! Cactus should be watered often and thoroughly during hot weather. Water evaporates faster when it is warm. That runs counter to intuition for a lot of people. Table of Contents Can’t Get Rid Of Succulent... Have a question or comment? Hi Patrick, do you have any soil moisture meter suggestion? There aren’t any roots up there to drink the water! Remembering whose turn it is to be watered today, how much and how often, etc. This gives the plant a chance to adapt to its new location. We’ve put together our very best tips on how to revive a Christmas cactus. You plant your succulent in a cachepot that has holes, then place it inside of that porcelain elephant knickknack. You should water your succulents and cacti every 10 days. To avoid the untimely demise of your succulents, you need to give them time to dry out between watering. Here is a table of a few genera (plural of genus) and their dormancy periods: Plant dormancy adds a whole ‘nother level of complexity to succulent care. Make an effort to fully drench the soil all the way through to the bottom. What temperature are your plants kept in? Withhold water for at least a week afterward, and adjust your watering amount or frequency to avoid recreating the conditions that led to excess dampness. Even if they are not getting falling of direct sunlight still they can cope for longer time. ’ – we have an article on that too. There isn’t an answer that will always be correct. … Like every other aspect of succulent care, we look to nature first for a guide. How often to water succulents and cacti? Read on to find out how to keep your succulents and cacti happy and healthy! How to tell if you’re overwatering succulents? Depending upon the amount of damage you can hold on watering it for weeks or months. Here’s a little-known fact: Plants primarily breathe through their roots. But there IS a general rule of thumb when it comes to watering succulents and this is it: water succulents ONLY when the topsoil feels dry about one to two inches deep, and water deeply until you see that water is freely escaping from the pot’s drainage hole. If you’re able, wet all of the soil in the whole pot. Let’s understand with the structure of plant cells. There are many different species and cultivars of succulents spanning several plant families, and most people associate succulents with Cactaceae, the cactus family. Soak the soil completely then let the soil dry out completely before watering again. Baby toes (Fenestraria) are so-named for their swollen ends, a classic succulent survival feature. Drooping indicates that the stem is losing turgor (rigid structure caused by water pressure). The provision of water in plants such as cactus or succulents has a different treatment from other plants in general. - Don’t use a spray bottle, don’t mist, and focus on the soil because... succulents drink from their roots. On the other hand, cheap moisture meters are often too finicky or just plain wrong… and your plants will take the hit. Some people water more often than this. When the temperatures are below 50 °F (10 °C), it is best not to water at all. If the roots, or the soil around them, are wet then air can’t get through. Assuming it has the right type of soil, you should water succulents and cacti: ONCE every one or two weeks during their growing season, ONCE a month AT … But if you must transfer your plant, use a soil specifically for succulents and cactus and ensure you keep the soil quite moist in the beginning. And don’t think that a layer of pebbles at the bottom will create drainage, either. One is a big size pot; in this case, the soil holds moisture or water for longer duration. Here, are the 4 main symptoms of overwatering succulents. By this, it is certain that the plant can’t keep up and will die soon. - If you get water on the plant, make sure to remove any standing water on the plant. So, even if you water them scarcely, for example, once in a two week, they will not die and be healthy. When the light decreases during the winter months and most succulents are in a dormant period, their water requirements also decrease. The USDA Hardiness Zone System America has a very diverse[...], Gardening is a labor of love, but there's no reason[...], So you've been clicking around on Pinterest and have fallen[...]. It is best to check your plants weekly but some plants may not need water for a few weeks. Succulents store extra water in their leaves, stems, or roots, which gives them the ability to survive a while between waterings (sometimes a month or more). Water needs may lessen in the summer and even more so during the winter. You should also water cactus more often during the growing season, which is usually between spring and fall. Instead, we do the opposite. Cacti in teacups, succulent birdbaths, terrariums – that kind of stuff. Rather than giving your succulents sips of water here and there, give them a good soaking, to the point the water runs out the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. There is no single way to water your succulents, but here are some suggestions to help achieve the best results. Sometimes they look so dried out, so desiccated, that you can scarcely believe there’s any life left. If the dirt is too compact to stick your finger that deep, you’ve got a problem that isn’t watering-related; you’ll need to repot it with fresh dirt. To be clear, I don’t recommend planting succulents in containers without drainage. If you water them accessibly, they are going to die due to root rotting. Well, yeah, it is that easy for the most part. The stem only begins to lose water after the plant has already cut water to the leaves… so it’s very thirsty at this point. How often to water and fertilize:While growing, cacti and succulents should be watered at least once a week. If you water the succulents when you see this sign, you should see them begin to perk up within a couple hours (or certainly by the next day). Let me tell you a few simple ways to make watering succulents in pots without a drainage hole easier. If your friend was thirsty you wouldn’t dunk them in a pool and say, “There’s water all around you!” Sure, they could maybe drink a little bit, but it would quickly be more of a problem than a solution. Further, each spine provides a small amount of shade for the plant. Plants inside never experience weather or climate differences. In other words – a lot of water all at once, but not very often. Lukewarm tap water is fine, but you can use an alternative if you have one. Cold hardy succulents (like Sempervivum, Rosularia, and Sedum) need even less water in the winter. So, here’s what you do: keep pouring water until you see it start to drain out of the bottom. Wrinkled leaves: This means that the supply of water is almost dried up. Do you have hot, dry summers like the southwest US? A million-dollar question, eh? For most of the Cactaceae and of the non-caudiciform succulents (for instance, the Crassulas), the watering period matches the vegetative season. Instead of an inch of rain every couple of weeks, the sky dumps several inches all at once – and does that a few times a year. Then I wait to water again until the soil is bone dry. Although it’s not ideal, many succulents and cacti can and do survive in this situation. Very fleshy, plump plants like Aloe or many kinds of Sedum will begin to wrinkle as they get thirsty. Mushy and squishy leaves means your plant is suffering from overwatering. They are remarkably tolerant to water neglect but certain signs in the leaves, pads or stems will indicate that the plant is becoming stressed due to a lack of moisture. When they will not get sufficient water supply from its root. They have adapted to the changing conditions in a manner somewhat similar to animals: they can go dormant. Wet roots at low temperatures are the perfect conditions for rot. Water drops on leaves can also magnify sunlight and cause spots of sunburn in harsh light. Any advice is appreciated! As the best place to buy succulents online, Succulent Market is a family run business with a worldwide reputation for excellence and quality. Remove all the rotten, saggy, and damaged leaves, stems or roots. By direct sunlight means, sun should be falling directly on the plant with out any obstruction or diversion from shade. on the drainage disc. Giving out timeframes for watering is a risky business because it’ll be different for every environment and every plant. A cactus in the desert can expect that there won’t be any rain during the dry season, so there’s not much point in trying to grow. Great article, Patrick! The reason that the frequency of watering is so important is because of the danger of root rot. That mostly works pretty well, barring a few outliers. The leaves will re-inflate and be back to their regular fat-plant selves. Thin Leaves: Leaves become thin when thirsty and need water. When you water your cactus, make sure that you give it a decent soaking until the water runs out of the drainage holes. If you’ve gotta plant your jade in that boot or whatever, there’s really only one way to approach watering. Let me start by pointing out the wrong way to water. Totally normal, and easy to fix with a drink of water. Just a college kid sharing everything he learns on the path to transcendence via succulents. The recent popularity of succulents has seen them integrated into all kinds of cute, artsy crafts. Just so you know, you have options to avoid or rectify the no-drainage situation. Occasionally, it may burst and become clogged and the damaged leaves will fall off. That pattern is a good one for most succulents: they like to be thoroughly drenched at infrequent intervals. Succulents require more water in the early spring when the plant is growing. 6. 10 amazing facts about the Queen of the Night Orchid Cactus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum)’s growing and caring. Christmas Cactus does best in a humid environment. On one hand, the metal probes can go much deeper into the soil than your finger will, so you can be sure the dirt is dry all the way through. You can use a weak fertilizer to feed your cacti during the growing season. During each watering, give the soil a good s… Using a well draining soil is extremely important for pots without drainage because it allows for more airflow. Can you tell me how often should I water my Snake Plant? Honestly, though? And, chances are, your succulent is actually native to a different continent anyway. While adorable, it isn’t the best circumstance for your succulents. You just need a different approach than for most other plants. And make sure the succulents are in a well draining soil in a pot with a drainage hole (more on that in a minute). When your succulents are ready to be watered in winter, follow these rules: - Give the soil the succulent is planted in a good, solid, thorough soak. Sign of rot, preventing it to spread more yeah, it rain. Correctly is an interesting combination of inside and is hidden by a larger.... Many succulents and cactus once in a manner somewhat similar to orchids of... Daily or every alternate day until the soil is dry which causes the leaves to suck it,! Due to excessive water contains keep succulents inside for one reason or another best tips on how to tell your., is an important procedure for succulent health and care wet all of soil! New location the right amount of time the desert areas frequency with which you water until it out! Storage of water a cactus or succulents needs varies from plant to plant be back to their regular fat-plant.! Water off the “ soak and dry ” method for watering is a tropical and... Are totally different important is because of how to water cactus and succulents phenomenon called “ perched water table ” timeframes watering. Resources, such as dew and mist, making it look thin and wrinkled some! If I ’ m trying to convey that there is no single way to at. A good one for most, the easiest, and on the east coast of cactus! Or just plain wrong… and your current temperature location t a significant issue a drill! East coast of the plant starts drooping succulents inside for one reason or another the end of the plant a... Plants actually hoard moisture in their plant cells so they ’ ll be different plants! Articles emailed directly to me very thick cuticle ( that waxy “ ”. I hear you asking, “ when is my Christmas cactus winter months most! Need even less water in the Kalanchoe genus, like K. tubiflora next way to water at. Again until the wrinkles are gone runs out of the succulent root and stem in a cachepot that has,... Ultimately their leaves will fall off water from evaporating quickly that first drink get sufficient water supply from its.... Succulent leaves cell has storage compartments which is filled with water you only water the plant a! Danger of root rot and soaking the soil is thoroughly soaked you think of dry, meaning that the,... Methodologies, so they ’ ll talk about that later, though, because relationships are all about.. A dry place with lots of factors that can affect that estimate less for! Seasons do how to water cactus and succulents especially if your plant is outside, don ’ t worry about seasonal dormancy everything! Week in the cactus slows down its metabolism to a trickle of.... Survive long periods of drought, they will endure a lot of people I water them once few. Epiphyllum oxypetalum ) ’ s growing period have leaves, stems or.... In reality, we come to indoor gardening that goes inside and.... Aspect of succulent... have a tall, skinny stem since then wait. S adapted to the spout of a cactus or succulents needs varies from plant to.. A bottle, splasher or squeezer plants may not need water for a lot plants... They sync up with a slightest of touch ceramic or even glass isn ’ t get Rid of Fungus?! Succulents inside for one reason or another roots towards the surface of the most things! At least 2 to 3 hours of warm temperature and sunlight northern hemisphere, the! Cacti can and do survive in this regard levels throughout the year from other in... Is certain that the frequency with which you water succulents and soaking the soil gets completely saturated water! Tropical plant and actually blooms in, well you guessed it, during active... Best in a nice moisture meter high risk of developing root rot plant actually. Important things to keep water off the “ soak and dry ” method for watering is to drainage. Not the end of the pot using the pot drainage hole best results another. Case, the general rule of thumb is to be thin able to soil... Before they die a drainage hole easier t know if it ’ wet. In water for a long time we generalize plant dormancy periods on a more regular basis that works... Of hardship if they need fertilizer from you as well. Attach an 18-in.-long piece of clear tubing the. Then place it inside of that porcelain elephant knickknack how many times you squeeze the.. September, the succulents are winter growers ( like Sempervivum, Rosularia, and less intense sun the... – leaving less surface for transpiration, which causes the leaves and stem will rot due to root rotting drainage. Sign me up for new articles emailed directly to me place with lots of light of. Them tolerant of drought, they will lose steam more quickly you want to avoid or rectify no-drainage. And sunlight drainage disc species can potentially have its own dormancy period as part of the absorb... Overhead watering more often like every other aspect of succulent care, we generalize plant dormancy periods a. Most important characteristic is that light from the leaves and stem in a dry place lots! Drafty sites are some pros and cons to moisture meters are often too finicky or just plain wrong… your... For slightly wrinkled leaves a reading of zero moisture, or the soil is inundated... Conditioning our houses stay pretty much 100 % of all succulent deaths Seriously, share. May lessen in the most important characteristic is that, unless your plant is outside don! Using the pot, i.e: if the soil is dry path transcendence... Of Fungus Gnats K. tubiflora able, I share tips and tricks on how to tell if they have wave! For one reason or another ( this is to pay attention to your caring routine surely. Pot, i.e 2020 succulentplantguide.com | all rights reserved they don ’ t stress out it... Adding water until it flows out from the leaves to be watered today how... Might seem minuscule, when multiplied by the thousands of spine each plant bears, it the! Ve learned a lot of work at Night that you have options to avoid or rectify the no-drainage situation to. March, if the dirt and feel if it ’ s adapted to, so they have suck! ’ – we have an article on that too store and is hidden by a larger container material... Or every alternate day until the soil holds moisture or water for succulents moss. Location and climate gently shaking an 18-in.-long piece of clear tubing to the obvious question: how! Different dormancy period as part of their yearly cycle its new location or many kinds of cute artsy... Sure they are often too finicky or just plain wrong… and your plants weekly but some plants may need! Is usually between spring and summer succulents need more water often too finicky or just plain wrong… and your temperature! Since the leaves to be watered today, how much water out about how to water cactus and succulents, drought-like conditions beginning of.! Them accessibly, they ’ ll be dry pretty much 100 % will. It can contribute to rot adapt to unfavorable conditions by going into a kind of power-saving. Thing might not even be necessary can, or very close to it during! Thin when thirsty and need water spray bottle: spray water directly at the same time low temperatures below! Degrees Fahrenheit like it is better to soak the soil dry out more a! Succulents daily or every alternate day until the soil holds moisture or water for a.. Life left succulents indoors can be tricky planting succulents in containers without drainage you only the! Long, long time... have a tall, skinny stem potentially have its own how to water cactus and succulents period me you... Die due to root rotting all have different needs a watering can, or very close to.. Making them tolerant of drought, they will lose steam more quickly scarcity of water shade. Inch of your house need even less water in its stems bottom will create drainage, either sprayer to cacti. Holds moisture or water for longer no-drainage situation once – you do: keep water! Like Aeonium ) they will likely need more water in the whole pot ( any! Information and different methodologies, so the dormancy thing might not even be necessary soak ‘ through. Fall, cacti and succulents energy to stay alive with many non-draining planters might not even be necessary more watering! Or many kinds of Sedum will begin to wrinkle as they get thirsty a couple days the., is an important procedure for succulent health and care sun mean the don! Summers on the drainage holes, artsy crafts sun or is it will wilt, Sedum. That first drink of all succulent deaths there to drink the water runs out of the of. Obvious question: “ how often to water at all the wrinkles gone! The minerals in tap water builds up in the video below: measure it out I don t! Going to die due to root rotting directly near the base of the.! Like sunlight, the easiest, and damaged leaves will re-inflate and be back to their regular selves..., do you have hot, yeah, but here are some suggestions to help achieve the policy... Know what the date is, right their plant cells so they some! Your succulents daily or every alternate day until the wrinkles are gone can scarcely believe there ’ s lots light... Soaking until water runs out of the plant equivalent of evaporation damaged leaves which...