9 TIPS ON HOW TO GROW SUCCULENTS (AND NOT KILL THEM)

Succulents Need Enough Light
According to one source, succulents need about six hours of direct sunlight per day, depending on the type. Succulents can scorch in direct sunlight, so it’s best to gradually expose them to sunlight or provide shade with a sheer curtain.

Rotate Succulents Frequently
It is likely that if your succulent sits in the same spot day in and day out, it will receive insufficient light on one side. Langton and Ray propose rotating the plant frequently. The sun will urge succulents to lean to one side, so rotating them will help them remain upright. In addition, leaning may suggest they need to be in a brighter area.

Water According to the Season
During times of growth, succulents need more energy. As the plants thrive during the spring and summer, they eat more water than when they rest in the fall and winter. Langton and Ray recommend that you test the soil with your finger, and if the top 125 inches are dry, have your watering can handy. Overwatering can kill your succulent, so be sure to let the soil dry completely between waterings.

Water the Soil Directly
The soil should be soaked up until water drains from the drainage holes while you water your succulents. Use less water if your container doesn’t have drainage holes. Spraying can cause brittle roots and moldy leaves on succulents. It is also possible to place pots in a pan of water and allow the water to rain through the drainage hole. When the soil is moist, remove it from the pan.

Keep Succulents Clean
Your indoor plants will gradually accumulate dust on their surfaces, which can hamper their growth, write Langton and Ray. Wipe the leaves and spines gently with a damp cloth (use a soft paintbrush to get at those hard-to-reach spots).

Choose a Container with Drainage
The soil should not be waterlogged to prevent rot in succulents. The container should have a drainage hole to allow excess water to drain. Beginners will enjoy Terra-cotta pots.

The Right Soil for Succulents
Unless you use potting soil in your yard, succulents need soil that drains. Select cactus soil or mix potting soil with pumice, sand, or perlite. Roots of succulent plants are delicate, so when repotting them be gentle.

Get Rid of Bugs
Bugs should not be a problem for succulents indoors, but occasionally they may appear. Plant succulents in soils that are too wet and do not have proper drainage to attract gnats. Spray the soil with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol to get rid of eggs and larvae. Succubus owners must also contend with mealybugs. Induced by agave types or overfertilizing, mealybugs are most common. Succulents with infected roots should be moved away from other plants and sprayed with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol.

Fertilize Succulents in the Summer
Succulents don’t need much fertilizer, but you can give them light feedings during spring and summer. Do not overfertilize your succulents too much as this can make them grow too quickly and weaken them.