Watering Succulents Is a Science and an Art
Succulents have rapidly become popular, and it’s easy to see why. Unlike other plants, succulents are beautiful, versatile, and can grow in almost any environment.
They are different from regular flowers and plants. Because they originate in hot, dry regions. This means they require special watering methods.
If you water succulents in the wrong way, it can result:
- Illness, such as root loss, root rot, and others
- Excessive growth
- And even death
Mastering the right way of watering succulents is the most important skill for planting succulents. To water a succulent the right way, you need to know when it needs water? How to water deeply? How often to water succulents? And just how much drainage is necessary to keep the plant happy and healthy?
What is Succulents? Facts You Must Know
Succulents come from arid regions, which means areas that are hot and dry with little rainfall. Succulents are similar to cacti since they store any excess liquid in their leaves – the fleshy parts.
If they have too much water, they become uncomfortable and struggle to establish themselves since they don’t have a reason to grow long, thick roots.
However, too little water means the succulent starts to use up its stores, which causes the leaves to wither and wilt.
Planting Succulents in Pots
The total health of succulents will be affected by where you plant it. The best way to start succulents is by having them in a pot with an open bottom so excess water can drain out. You can then empty the bottom tray and ensure the succulent doesn’t become overwatered.
Secondly, succulents like well-drained soil, choose a rocky and porous soil will help ensure good drainage. If the soil contains too much water and cannot be drained in time, it will cause the roots to rot.
How to Tell If My Succulents Need a Drink?
It’s important to look for signs of dehydration, especially if you’re new to gardening. The most common warning is when the leaves start to wrinkle and shrivel. This means the cells that hold moisture are being depleted and are losing moisture.
When this happens, you should slowly increase how much water you give the succulents instead of pouring tons of liquid on it right away. This stops the succulent from drowning.
In addition to observing the leaves, you can do a basic soil test. Press your fingers to the soil of the succulent’s pot or around the plant. The soil is best left damp but not soaked. If there is still moisture, wait to water succulents another day or two. This will prevent water accumulation around the roots.
How to Watering Succulents?
There are a couple of different ways to watering succulents. The most important is learning how to water deeply.
Water Deeply
When you are watering succulents, you should pour water directly into the soil around the plant instead of over the leaves or flowers.
To water deeply, avoid using a spray bottle. Bottles don’t release enough liquid and don’t hit the soil enough. If you use a spray bottle, you’ll end up with a succulent that has weak and thin roots, and no one wants that.
The best way to water deeply is therefore with a designated watering can that can reach under the succulent’s leaves and nourish the roots directly.
Water the Soil Rather Than the Succulents
Whether the leaves look good or not, mainly depends on whether the roots of the plants are healthy. The same leaves do not need water, but the roots need water.
Working the soil rather than the succulents helps promote healthy root growth and also stops moisture from being wasted on the leaves.
If you accidentally drip on the leaves, you can gently blow off the water droplets or blot up with a paper.
There also needs to be a break in between watering so the succulent has a chance to soak up the liquid and grow strong and healthy roots.
Best Watering Time is Dawn
When you choose to water at dawn, the succulent plants have enough time to absorb the water and begin the process of photosynthesis. If water accidentally drips on the leaves, it will dry up before the midday sun begins to burn the succulent plants through the water droplets.
Best Water is Rainwater
Rainwater is the best choice for succulents because it’s natural and no chemicals are added during processing.
How Often to Watering Succulents?
The frequency of succulents planting is a major problem for most people, especially for novices. The first thing we need to keep in mind is that succulents don’t need much water. Just re-penetrate after its soil is completely dry. Watering once a week during the growing season is most effective in most areas.
If you are not sure in some case, just remember the following rule:
When the soil is completely dry, then soak it up.
Different Seasons, Different Watering Schedule
It’s important that you remember the watering schedule is going to change with the seasons. This is because the succulent will grow at different times and absorbs moisture better in hot weather.
Spring
Springtime is actually the season when succulents need the most water because it is prime growing time.
There are usually tons of rain showers around this time, so check the soil often and water when it gets dry. Try to keep it as damp as often as possible.
Summer
In the summer, soil dries out more often from the excessive heat and dry atmosphere. Check the soil often and keep it watered to the point of dampness. You should check the soil every 2-3 days for the best results.
Fall
Fall is an awkward season for succulents. The temperature is rapidly declining, so water shouldn’t be given when the weather is under 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
During warm days, you can give the succulent a little water. At most, though, you should only give the plant water every other week.
Winter
When winter comes, the succulent becomes dormant. This means it is not growing and is instead focused on staying alive. During this time, you should only give it water one a month no matter what the temperature is.
Consider Other Factors When Watering Succulents
Other factors will affect proper watering, including soil type, pot type, succulent size, and the climate.
Soil Type
Succulents require special soil that has tons of drainage. It should not be packed tight and actually does not need much nutrition either.
If there are more particles in the soil, the water permeability will be better, the soil will dry quickly, and it needs to be watered frequently. While the Pumice or Perlite in the soil is higher, it has better water retention, and the interval between watering needs to be longer.
Pot Type
The terracotta pot is too breathable and hardly retains water. Therefore, the terracotta potted succulents are mostly in a state of water shortage, so it is necessary to water frequently.
When using ceramic pots or plastic pots to grow succulents, their breathability is very poor, and water retention is good, so it can’t be watered frequently.
Plant Size
This is one of the fundamental tenets of gardening. Larger succulents naturally need more water than their smaller counterparts.
Keep this in mind when caring for these beautiful plants, and also remember that growing succulents will also need more moisture.
Climate
Climate refers to the average weather in your region. If you live in a cold area with lots of rainfall, you will need to water your succulents less because they are being exposed to more natural moisture.
If you live in a hot, sunny region, then you need to water the succulents more often because their soil will dry out rapidly.
Many people live in temperate zones, or regions where the temperature swings between hot and cold. When this is the case, perform the soil test more often to see if the succulents need watering.
Conclusion
Watering succulents seem like an easy task, but it does require some knowledge to be done properly. If you are a beginner when it comes to gardening, then you need to practice and make sure you’re not giving these arid dwellers too much hydration.
By following this guide, you ensure your succulents get just the right amount of water to keep them happy and healthy for years to come.
