This article was co-authored by Chai Saechao and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Chai Saechao is the Founder and Owner of Plant Therapy, an indoor-plant store founded in 2018 based in San Francisco, California. As a self-described plant doctor, he believes in the therapeutic power of plants, hoping to keep sharing his love of plants with anyone willing to listen and learn.
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Succulents are wonder plants — they’re aesthetic, lively, and low-maintenance. The low effort required to keep them can be confusing, however, especially when it comes to knowing how much to water them. In this wikiHow, we’ll teach you how to water your succulents so that they thrive, and make sure you know the best ways to save underwatered and overwatered succulents.
Steps
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:Watering Young Succulents
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1Mist your succulents gently every 2-4 days. Although you should usually wait 2-4 days to mist them again, this may be different for each succulent. If you're not sure how often to mist yours, a good rule of thumb is to wait until the soil is dry to mist it again.
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2Create a schedule, then be sure to follow it. When the succulents are young it is critical to stick to a strict misting schedule.
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:Watering Mature Succulents
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1Soak the soil completely using a watering can. This practice establishes a healthy root system.
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2Wait until the soil is completely dry to soak the soil again. There is no standard answer to how often to water mature succulents. This will depend on the plant variety, the soil, the ambient humidity, and other factors. Generally, you should water more often in the summer when the plant is actively growing than in the winter when the plant goes into semi-dormancy with shorter days.EXPERT TIPChai Saechao is the Founder and Owner of Plant Therapy, an indoor-plant store founded in 2018 based in San Francisco, California. As a self-described plant doctor, he believes in the therapeutic power of plants, hoping to keep sharing his love of plants with anyone willing to listen and learn.Plant Specialist
Chai Saechao
Plant SpecialistAvoid overwatering your plant. Founder and owner of Plant Therapy Chai Saechao says: "Depending on the pot size, you should water your succulents about every 2 weeks. If you have a larger plant, you can water them every 3-4 weeks. It's always better to underwater a succulent than to overwater it. Overwatering can kill your plant, but if it's underwatered, it will bounce back quickly when you hydrate it."
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3Skip watering periodically to encourage a robust root system. Sometimes it is beneficial to skip watering for 1-2 days after the soil is dry to allow even stronger roots to grow. Contrary to popular belief, you don't always have to stick to the same watering schedule for mature succulents. Still, it is good to have a general schedule.
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:Reviving an Under-watered Succulent
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1Identify the signs of underwatering. Your succulents are probably under-watered if:
- the upper leaves are becoming dry and crispy
- the entire plant has become shriveled (although it is difficult to revive it at this point)
- many leaves are shriveling at the tips
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2Gently mist your succulents for 1-5 days. This will help transition them to a regular watering routine. Giving them a 'full dose' of water after a long period of time without water might damage the plants.
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3Increase their water intake gradually. After they have gotten used to the change, gradually return to their regular watering schedule. You can then water them with a watering can, and they should be back to normal in 1-3 weeks!
Community Q&A
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QuestionHow often should indoor succulents be watered?
Chai SaechaoChai Saechao is the Founder and Owner of Plant Therapy, an indoor-plant store founded in 2018 based in San Francisco, California. As a self-described plant doctor, he believes in the therapeutic power of plants, hoping to keep sharing his love of plants with anyone willing to listen and learn.
Plant SpecialistDepending on the pot size, you should water your succulents about every 2 weeks. If you have a larger plant, you can water them every 3-4 weeks. It's always better to underwater a succulent than to overwater it. Overwatering can kill your plant, but if it's underwatered, it will bounce back quickly when you hydrate it. -
QuestionGot two succulents for my office and put them under a light. Would they be alright?It depends on the succulent. Trying getting a lamp that produces light similar to the sun, as that would be best for plants.
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QuestionI have many hawarthiaa and echeveria babies. How often should I water them? I am from Kolkata, India.
Addison SmithCommunity AnswerWater them when the soil looks dry, you could also feel the soil and make sure it isn't too wet. -
QuestionI just realized I am overwatering and observed a white milky sticky residue developing on the tips of several succulents. Is my plant sick and dying?Addison SmithCommunity AnswerTry a few days or even weeks without watering it. Take the bad leaves off as well. This should help it to improve.
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QuestionMy nursery potted my succulent. She put rocks, then moss and a wire, then put the plant on top of the moss. How do I water it?Addison SmithCommunity AnswerYou still water it the same as you would without the wire and moss. The water will go through to the plant.
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QuestionI got succulents for Mother’s Day and planted them, but I now think I may have planted them in pots that are too deep. I used MiracleGrow potting soil. Should I repot them now after only a month?Addison SmithCommunity AnswerYou don't have to repot them but you should use succulent soil if you decide to. They don't have to be potted deep either.
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QuestionHow to tell if the succulents have been over watered?Addison SmithCommunity AnswerThe leaves will start to rot and the soil might start to mold. Feel the soil, it should be damp and not soaked.
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QuestionWhat does it mean if leaves are falling from my succulent?Addison SmithCommunity AnswerIt could just mean that the plant isn't getting enough water or it could also be getting too much water.
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QuestionIs it better to put my succulent outside, by a window, or somewhere like on my shelf where there is less light?Addison SmithCommunity AnswerIt truly depends on the plant. Some of them need more light and some don't. You would have to figure that out depending on the type of succulent. Do some research.
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QuestionI am getting yellow leaves on my plants at the bottom of the plant?Addison SmithCommunity AnswerIt is most likely getting too much water and the leaves are starting to rot. Water less often.
Warnings
- Underwatering is better than overwatering. Since succulents retain water in their leaves, watering them every day is not a necessity. When in doubt, wait an extra day or two to water your succulents again.Thanks!
- Be wary of root rot, a disease that attacks the roots of plants growing in soil that is too moist or is continually moist.Thanks!
Things You'll Need
- small watering can
- sprayer or mister
- pot with drainage hole(s)
- soil that does not hold water (soil that drains well)
References
- https://www.succulentsandsunshine.com/help-my-succulent-is-dying/
- https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/echeveria/caring-for-echeveria-plants.htm
- http://www.drought-smart-plants.com/how-to-grow-echeveria.html
- http://www.youngs-garden.com/blog/echeveria-care-guide/
- https://www.succulentsandsunshine.com/how-to-water-succulent-plants/
About This Article
To water succulents, give them a thorough soaking whenever the soil feels dry. If your succulents are young, mist them every 2-4 days and let the soil dry completely between each session. For adults, use a watering can instead. Establish a consistent watering schedule and occasionally skip 1-2 days of watering to encourage a robust root system. If they are losing leaves or look swollen, try decreasing their water intake. If you want to learn more, such as how to revive an underwatered succulent, keep reading the article!
