Summer is rapidly approaching! And with temperatures on the rise, proper watering is very important for happy, healthy succulents.
There is a common misconception that succulents don’t need water or that they need very little. There is some truth in the “need very little” part since those chubby leaves store all sorts of reserves for the plants. However, those reserves mean that they need watering less frequently than other plants. Once those reserves have been drawn down a bit, the truth is that succulents like water, and they like to be watered deeply.
Frequency
If your succulents are outside or in a greenhouse during the summer, you will want to water them about once a week.The soil shouldapproach dryness, but not stay dry for long periods of time.
Technique
When watering established plants, ensure that the soil is saturated to the plant’s deepest roots. A general rule of thumb is to continue watering until water starts to come out of the bottom of the pot. Deep watering will promote healthy root growth, which results in healthier plants. Frequent, more superficial watering resultsin a shallow root system and a less-established plant.
Succulents do not like to sit in wet conditions for too long, however. So, drainage is important. In the ground, amending your soil with some pumice with facilitate drainage. In your container garden, a well-draining potting mix and a pot with a drainage hole will do the trick.
Here's an example of two identical haworthias, grown with different watering practices. The leftwas watered lightly; the right was watered deeply until water ran out of the bottom of the pot. The results: The haworthia on the left is smaller and has a less developed root system. The haworthia on the right has a strong root system, is full and has beautiful green coloring.
Timing
During the summer, the best time of day to water your succulents is in the early morning before temperatures rise.By avoiding wateringin the afternoon when temperatures are at their peak, you avoid having hot water sit in the crown of your plant, potentially burning the plant.
If you cannot water inthe early morning, you can water in the evening. However, this is not a good practice during the winter. Leaving the plantswet all night makes them more susceptible to fungal diseasesduring the cold months. We err on the side of keeping our plants a little dry during the winter just to avoid such cultural issues.
Exposure
Remember that during these hot summer months succulents need a little more protection from the scorching sun, much like we do. Their leaves will burn when exposed to too much sun for long periods of time. We recommend keeping your succulents in a location that receives partial shade, like under an awning or a place with dappled shade from a tree.
Water is essential for your succulent’s health. Good watering ensures healthy roots which ensures a stronger plant that will be more resilient to pests and disease. Also, water is important for the other living things in your garden. Many pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds rely on the water that they collect from our watering.
Water is life!
FAQs
Succulents do better with periodic long, deep drinks that soak its soil to the bottom of the potthan regular but timid waterings that wet the top inch or two of the soil in the container. So when your succulents' soil is bone dry, drench that baby. Let the soil dry out completely, then drench again. Dry out.
How often do you water succulents in hot summer? ›
Water Them Adequately
To give you an idea, outdoor or in-ground succulents should be watered at least once every 10 days or 2 weeks to keep them healthy, and once a week for indoor ones.
What is the best watering schedule for succulents? ›
How often should you water a succulent? According to Retro Den, the rule of thumb for watering your succulent is every other week during non-winter months. During the winter months, when the temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, it is recommended to water your succulent only once a month.
What are the rules for watering succulents? ›
The most important rule for watering succulents is this: Only water when the soil in the succulents' growing container is bone dry. We repeat, let the soil dry out completely between waterings. If the soil isn't crumbly, dry dirt, don't water it. See, most houseplants want their soil moist at all times.
How to tell when a succulent needs water? ›
A well-watered succulent will have plump, firm leaves. When you squeeze them between your fingers there should be very little give. If they are soft then they probably need watering. Another sure sign is wrinkled leaves, when they are feeling thirsty their leaves pucker and wrinkle.
Do you water succulents from the top or bottom? ›
Bottom watering is an ideal method for summer care of succulents. During summer, people often need clarification about how to water succulents. Bottom watering succulents after sunset is an efficient method to help succulents survive from overwatering.
Do succulents like full hot sun? ›
Succulents love light and need about six hours of sun per day, depending on the type of succulent. Though most varieties of succulents will not survive with full shade, they also don't need to be blasted with hot rays all day, so a sheer curtain can help ensure they get some shade too.
Is 90 degrees too hot for succulents? ›
Succulents tend to prefer a temperate climate with the temperatures ranging from 60 to 80°F. Some can tolerate temperatures as low as 40°F or as high as 90°F. Gardeners sometimes use these extreme temperatures to “stress” their succulents into changing color.
Is it better to overwater or underwater succulents? ›
Underwatered. Succulents are super easy going plants that can survive months in drought condition. However, they can rot and die within a few days if given too much water.
Should you mist or water succulents? ›
Water at the roots. Don't spray or water on the leaves
- Don't use spray bottles. ...
- Don't water on the leaves or on top of the plant. ...
- Don't water when it's humid/raining or extremely hot.
- Don't water at noon or in the afternoon. ...
- Use rainwater, distilled water, or filtered water if possible to avoid mineral deposit.
Simply put, you want to know if your plant can be saved or not. Yes, it can be saved given that the damage is not too far gone. Don't worry if it's that bad, you can salvage the leaves and stem and propagate them.
How often should I water succulents in summer? ›
Certain types of succulents require more frequent watering because their leaves are teeny tiny and can't hold as much water compared to other varieties with plump leaves. For these tiny leaf succulents, feel free to give them a drink up to once a week in the non-winter months if they look thirsty.
Do succulents like to be sprayed with water? ›
Full grown succulents don't actually like to be misted. They thrive in arid climates, so when you mist them, you are changing the humidity around the plant. This can lead to rot as well. Use misting for propagation babes to lightly provide water to their delicate little roots.
Can I water my succulents with tap water? ›
Like most outdoor plants, you should water succulents in the morning. Avoid tap water. Use filtered, rain, or distilled water instead. If you must use tap water, leave it out overnight to allow mineral deposits to dissipate naturally.
Can succulents get too much sun? ›
Too Much Sunlight
When succulents are stressed out by too much sun, their rosettes will close up. This is their way of protecting their leaves from getting intense light and heat. Leaves will turn yellow or brown, often starting on the outside edges and making the leaf feel rough instead of smooth.