Why Are Succulent Leaves Turning Purple? You Should Know Reasons

You’ve struggled to bring up your succulent and suddenly their leaves start to turn purple. I know how it feels; it’s hectic and sometimes you can decide to break everything around. But, why am I seeing this with my plants? Don’t worry this report will provide more than enough answers for this question.

Of course, there are various reasons that can make succulent leaves turn purple. The discussion will also provide you with robust reasons and meanings of the purple color in your favorites’ leaves. Besides, you will benefit from possible solutions for such an issue with your plants.

Reasons for purple succulent leaves

1. Too much light or heat

While succulents enjoy good sunlight exposure, they can get burnt just like other plants. This implies that too much of anything is harmful. Among the major symptoms of scorching in a succulent plant are whitening, yellowing, or discoloration and corking.  The cells of your succulent will be damaged when the pot is in a direct light spot; the plant will not survive anymore.

If your succulent has discoloration on the sun-facing side, it’s a clear indication that the plant is suffering from scorching. However, changing the color becomes the symptom of too much light. You need to understand that light and heat stress are serious, and may cause death of your plants; be cautious with succulent placement.

Numerous succulent species possess varying lighting requirements, but prefer a lot of bright indirect light. We have some species that require shade placement partially. It’s therefore advisable to expose your succulent t sunlight for about six hours at the growth period.

You can use fluorescent or LED lighting; specifically 60 watts if you’re out of reach to sunlight. Do so for at least 10 hours a day.

2. The succulent is changing its leave color naturally

Generally, these plants are greeneries, but sometimes they tend to have purple, blue, and even red hints. They develop these colors as they continue to grow. With some succulent categories, the entire leaves may become red or purple, but in some; only the inner corner or tips.

A common example is sedum, kalanchoe, and Crassula species to display reddish or purple in color. You should therefore keenly observe your succulents to determine whether they are normal or not.

3. Under-watering

Here is another reason that might make your succulents turn purple or red. Due to insufficient water, these plants might begin to change their coloration slightly. At this point you it’s possible to spot bluish, purple or red coloration. Other signs associated with under-watered succulents are shriveling, curling leaves, or dry soil; the leaves will lose their plumpness.

While you shouldn’t water your succulent frequently in winter or allow them to stay dormant, little water is still necessary. Most people tend to keep their plans in the house during the winter season, especially when the temperature is warm. This implies that watering your succulents is necessary; do so at least once or twice a month for indoor plants.

Otherwise, the soil surrounding your succulents will dry up, damaging its roots that will eventually kill the entire plant. You are supposed to water these plants regularly during early spring and late autumn. However, regular watering will be based on different parameters like temperatures, plant’s pots, lighting, etc.

4. Insufficient nutrition

Succulents require sufficient nutrients just like other plant species. You should not mislead by the assumption that succulents can survive harsh conditions. In case the soil doesn’t have enough nutrients, the color of your succulents will probably change to purple; they can even turn yellow if they seriously lack nutrients.

You only have to fertilize your succulents during the growth season and remember to use the right fertilizer. Experts discourage fertilizing the plants during the winter season when they’re in dormant condition. Therefore, phosphorus and potassium ratios should be optimal for lower-nitrogen feed.

5. Poor soil

Since the oil that your succulents will be growing in it will run out of nutrients, repotting the succulent is inevitable. Besides, these succulents can outgrow, and grow their existing pots. Therefore, if you realize packed and circled roots, it is the right time for repotting your plants.

With poor soil, these plants won’t be happy or enjoyed; they can’t even last long. it doesn’t matter whether you apply fertilizer in the soil within the growth season. So, due to such a soil, the succulents can start to change their color to purple.

You can save the species by repotting the young succulents yearly to maximize the pot utilization. With more established and mature succulents, repotting them after every 3 to 4 years can be the best idea.

6. Protection

Succulents and Cacti may turn purple after being left under the strong sunlight. Such an action protects the plants from harmful UV light that tends to kill a few plant species in tough conditions. However, they might be stressed at the same time and aren’t familiar with the current conditions.

The purple coloration of most succulent species tends to disappear once exposed to minimized sunlight.

7. Root rot

This is another cause for your succulents to turn purple; many people overlook this problem. If the succulents are affected by root rot, it will start to turn black or dark purple. Once you spot any black roots and soft leaves, you should immediately prune your succulents.

You can either use shears or scissors, but you need to ensure they’re sanitized. After you are done with pruning, repotting your plants is necessary; transfer them or change the soil and clean the pot. Remember, root rot is mainly triggered by overheating, leaving the roots hanging in the water for an extended period.

Frequently asked questions:

• How do overwatered succulent plants look like?

An overwatered succulent tends to have mushy leaves, feeling squishy and soft. More so, the leaves sometimes appear lighter compared to that of a healthy succulent, or turn translucent sometimes. Overall, your plant will be wilted and have a dry appearance. I thought you should know that a healthy plant should have firm, plump leaves that aren’t dehydrated or mushy.

• My succulent is changing colors. Why?

The water conditions and temperatures might be unsuitable for your plant. Stress in these plants can enhance different forms, the leaf tips may start to turn red or the whole leaf changes its colors. Mostly, this implies that the succulent is getting too much sunlight or under-watered.

• How often should I add water to my succulent?

Watering is necessary but not daily when it comes to succulents. Watering after every 7 to 14 days is essential, based on the species with you. Make it a routine, especially if you reside from a warmer area. On the other hand, watering is required after every 3 to 4 weeks in wintery seasons. Provide enough water to your plants and then give them time to completely dry; before topping water again.

Final words

Succulents tend to turn red or purple because of pigments known as carotenoids and anthocyanin. The pigment is essential in protecting these plants from burning and over-photosynthesizing when they’re sourcing a lot of sunlight. And that’s why you will see or get some folks exposing their plants to more sunlight to make their potential coloration easier.

Once the exposure to sunlight is minimized, purple/red or blushing coloration will disappear. Go through the entire report for possible reasons and easy fix; thank me later.