Succulents are one of the easiest plants to grow, making them perfect for beginners. With their unique shapes, vibrant colors, and minimal care requirements, succulents can thrive indoors and outdoors. However, they still need proper attention to stay healthy. In this guide, you’ll learn how to grow and care for succulents, from choosing the right soil to watering them correctly.
1. Choose the Right Succulents for Your Space
Not all succulents thrive in the same environment. Some prefer bright, direct sunlight, while others can tolerate lower light conditions. Here are some popular succulent choices:
Best Indoor Succulents:
- Aloe Vera – Easy to grow and has medicinal properties.
- Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) – A resilient, long-living succulent.
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria) – Tolerates low light and requires minimal watering.
- Zebra Plant (Haworthia) – A small, striped succulent ideal for desks and shelves.
Best Outdoor Succulents:
- Echeveria – Forms beautiful rosettes and thrives in full sun.
- Sedum (Stonecrop) – Drought-tolerant and great for rock gardens.
- Agave – A large, dramatic succulent that loves hot climates.
- Cactus (Various species) – Requires full sun and very little water.
2. Provide the Right Amount of Sunlight
Succulents need plenty of sunlight to thrive, but too much direct sun can cause sunburn.
Light Requirements:
- Indoor succulents: Place them near a bright window with indirect sunlight for at least 4-6 hours a day.
- Outdoor succulents: Most prefer 6-8 hours of direct sunlight but may need shade in extreme heat.
Signs of Too Much or Too Little Light:
- Too much sun: Brown or white patches on leaves (sunburn).
- Too little sun: Stretching or elongated stems as the plant reaches for light.
If growing indoors, consider using a grow light if your home doesn’t get enough natural sunlight.
3. Use Well-Draining Soil
Succulents hate sitting in wet soil. Their roots will rot if the soil retains too much moisture.
Best Soil for Succulents:
- Use a cactus and succulent mix, which is designed for fast drainage.
- If using regular potting soil, mix in sand, perlite, or pumice to improve drainage.
DIY Succulent Soil Mix:
- 2 parts potting soil
- 1 part sand or perlite
- 1 part pumice or small gravel
4. Choose the Right Pot
The type of pot you use can make a big difference in how well your succulents grow.
Best Pots for Succulents:
- Terracotta or clay pots: These allow moisture to evaporate and prevent overwatering.
- Pots with drainage holes: Essential to prevent water buildup at the bottom.
Avoid glass containers or decorative pots without drainage holes, as they trap excess moisture.
5. Water Succulents Properly
Watering is the trickiest part of succulent care. These plants store water in their leaves, so they need less frequent watering than other houseplants.
How to Water Succulents:
- Use the “soak and dry” method – Water deeply until excess drains out, then let the soil dry completely before watering again.
- Water less often in winter – Succulents go dormant in cooler months and need less water.
- Avoid watering the leaves – Water directly into the soil to prevent rot.
Signs of Overwatering:
- Mushy, translucent leaves
- Yellowing leaves
- Root rot
Signs of Underwatering:
- Wrinkled, shriveled leaves
- Slow growth
6. Maintain Proper Temperature and Humidity
Succulents prefer warm, dry conditions. They thrive in temperatures between 60-80°F (15-27°C) and low humidity.
- Keep them away from cold drafts or air conditioning vents.
- Avoid placing them in humid areas like bathrooms.
If you live in a humid climate, place your succulents in a well-ventilated area to prevent mold or rot.
7. Fertilize Occasionally for Better Growth
Succulents don’t need a lot of fertilizer, but occasional feeding helps them grow stronger.
Best Fertilizers for Succulents:
- Use a diluted liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season (spring and summer).
- A balanced 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 fertilizer works well.
- Avoid over-fertilizing – too much can make succulents grow weak and leggy.
8. Repotting Succulents When Necessary
Succulents grow slowly, but they still need repotting every 1-2 years to refresh the soil and allow root expansion.
Signs Your Succulent Needs Repotting:
- Roots are growing out of the drainage hole.
- The plant looks too large for its pot.
- Soil dries out too quickly.
When repotting:
- Choose a slightly larger pot with drainage holes.
- Use fresh, well-draining soil.
- Let the plant dry for a day before watering after repotting.
9. Propagate Succulents to Grow More Plants
One of the best things about succulents is that they’re easy to propagate. You can grow new plants from cuttings, leaves, or offsets.
How to Propagate Succulents:
- Leaf Cuttings: Gently twist off a healthy leaf, let it dry for a few days, and place it on dry soil.
- Stem Cuttings: Cut a piece of the succulent’s stem, let it dry, and plant it in fresh soil.
- Offsets (Pups): Small baby succulents that grow at the base of the parent plant can be removed and replanted.
Propagation takes time, but soon you’ll have more succulents to enjoy or share with friends!
10. Watch Out for Pests and Diseases
Succulents are low-maintenance, but they can still attract pests or develop diseases.
Common Problems:
- Mealybugs: Small, white, cotton-like pests that weaken the plant.
- Solution: Wipe them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
- Fungus gnats: Tiny black flies that breed in overly moist soil.
- Solution: Let the soil dry completely and use sticky traps.
- Root rot: Caused by overwatering.
- Solution: Trim off rotted roots and repot in dry soil.