How & When to Water Succulents

Between their versatile nature and trendy appearance, succulent remains the rage, but not for bad reason. They not only arrive in a wide range of vibrant colors and fascinating forms, but also can grow outdoors, in containers or indoors. They are excellently unique plants that survive and little care and maintenance for a terrific look.

With much being said, of course there are several rules that should help an individual on when and how to water the plants. Whether you plan to utilize them as garden additions, living décor, or houseplants, this report will provide you with every information concerned when the right time to water your succulents are. Stay tuned for necessary deeds to help keep your succulents thrive and alive.

When should I water my succulents?

Since they use unusual methods for water storage, it’s advisable to leave these plants too dry rather than too wet. But, the same plants tend to get thirsty over time, therefore, it is necessary to pay much attention to their various needs just like with other plants. Therefore, how can you know that it’s the right time to water your succulents? We should have a closer look.

Carefully observe your plants and if you realize they are displaying wrinkled leaves; it could be the right time to water the succulents. They experience dehydration problems after an extended dry spell. But, you shouldn’t jump into the watering process, check the soil condition and ensure it’s fully dry.  In case the soil is dry, watering should be done at night when the plants undergo a respiration process.

We have seen some people holding questions whether it’s advisable to water their succulents at nighttime or not. Personally I recommend watering these plants at night to make them healthy. This timing is better compared to watering during the day. However, some people find this art unconventional because it’s not a typical practice.

We recommend this time of the day because succulents are famous for using Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM), a photosynthesis process. To cut the long story short, succulents mostly benefit from nighttime watering compared to daytime practice.

Another good reason to water your succulents at night is that water droplets can damage your plant’s stems and leaves. During the day, leaves and stems are weak and the direct heat from the sun may make water droplets hot, damaging the wet areas of your plant.

However, some experts recommend watering during the morning hours as beneficial too. Over time, temperature will rise and the moisture or water in your soil will evaporate faster. This art implies that your succulents will be safe and free from overwatering challenges.

Watering Succulents

If you wish to have your succulents to be healthy, with impressive natural design and robust roots, then you must water the plants before allowing the soil to completely dry out. However, you should not opt for small water sips; it’s a bad way for your succulents. Instead, equip your succulents with longer and fewer waterings whenever the soil is fully dry.

In occasions where your succulents are in a container like pots with incredible drainage, place it in a suitable water tray for not less than five minutes. On the other hand, you should water in the soil line and not overhead when the succulents are in a huge container or in the ground. What you need to be careful is to never allow your succulent to overstay in a waterlogged soil.

Determining when your succulents are thirsty

You should not be misled by the above statement that a succulent is better dry compared with when wet. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they don’t require water; they operate just like other plants, although at a minimal care. Watering is therefore an essential and inevitable practice to enhance the overall well-being of the plant. Observed for the dehydration signs, its leaves will become wrinkled and shriveled. So once you spot such symptoms, your succulents are running out of water.

When the cells supply the stored water to the whole plant, they always struggle to restore the amount of water to substitute the lost one. This implies that when they fail to access enough water, while the plant relies on the exhausted stores consistently, the plant cells will probably become smaller in size. This act will eventually leave the firm and plump leaves shriveled and collapsed.

Signs of overwatered succulents

Now that you know much about a dry succulent, the next thing you should understand is those overwatered too. If you still remember those unusual balloon cells, overwatering will basically overfill them, making them burst. This will then result in rotating roots and leaves and destroyed cell structures.

So, the first and common overwatering sign is change in the form of the leaves and discoloration. You will realize the plant leaves turning translucent, squishy, and soft; unlike under-watered ones. They will therefore collapse by the succulent without recovery. These plants have a mechanism to heal from such a situation, but it’s not easy.

Chopping off leaves or cutting to root remains a suitable way to restore and save the overwatered succulent plant. It will start for new plants.

Frequently asked questions:

• Do succulent plants love full sun?

No, we have some species that won’t survive if exposed to higher temperatures or fullest sun. Therefore you need to understand the type of succulent because some prefer low light while others both.

• Morning or afternoon, when should I water my succulents?

Morning is better compared to afternoon, when the temperature is at the peak. The direct sunlight during this time of the day can be challenging.

Final words

The discussion about when should succulents be watered is incomplete without touching on proper soil. You need to ensure that the soil with you has well drainage to prevent your plants from overstaying in waterlogged. Use this paper to equip your succulents with great and required care and maintenance.