Succulents and cacti offer some of the most unique looking and colorful plants that you can add to your houseplant collection. They tend to be a ‘go-to’ choice for anyone with busy lives or demanding schedules and drought-tolerant, meaning they don’t require frequent watering. They store water in their leaves, so you can go longer periods without needing to water them.
Succulents come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and many are quite compact. They fit well in small spaces like desks, windowsills, or shelves, making them great for apartments or homes with limited space.
Light Requirements
Succulents thrive in bright light, but their specific light needs can vary depending on the type of succulent. They do best when placed in a spot where they can receive plenty of light but not direct, harsh sunlight. A south- or west-facing window is usually ideal, as these receive the most consistent light throughout the day.
During winter months, light levels can decrease. If possible, move your succulent to a brighter spot or supplement with a grow light. They might not grow as actively, but they still need some light to stay healthy. In summer, if your succulent has been in a sunny spot, you might need to protect it from the harsh midday sun to prevent burning. A little less direct sunlight can still benefit the plant.
Watering Requirements
Succulents are well-known for their ability to store water in their leaves, stems, or roots, making them very drought-tolerant and requiring less frequent watering than many other plants. They prefer to dry out completely between waterings. Typically, you should water your succulent once every 1-2 weeks, but this can vary based on factors like temperature, humidity, and the size of the pot. Always check the soil before watering. Insert your finger about 1-2 inches into the soil to see if it’s dry. If it feels dry, it's time to water. If it’s still moist, wait a few more days before checking again.
Tip: When you do water, water deeply until water begins to drain out from the bottom of the pot. This ensures that the entire root system gets moisture, encouraging deep root growth.
Humidity
Succulents are quite adaptable when it comes to humidity, and they generally prefer low to moderate humidity. Succulents do best in low to moderate humidity environments, around 30-50%. This is similar to the natural desert-like conditions where they originate.
Succulents have evolved to store water in their leaves, stems, or roots, allowing them to survive in dry conditions. High humidity can promote fungal growth and mold, which succulents are not well-equipped to handle.
How to Maintain Ideal Humidity
Avoid Misting: While misting can temporarily raise humidity, it's generally not a good practice for succulents, as it can lead to water sitting on the leaves and increase the risk of rot.
Proper Ventilation: Ensure good air circulation around your succulent, especially if it's placed in a bathroom or kitchen with naturally higher humidity levels.
Temperature Considerations: Succulents do well in warm temperatures, but avoid placing them in areas with high humidity like bathrooms or areas that get too much moisture unless there's good air circulation.
Common Problems
Overwatering
Symptoms: Soft, mushy leaves, yellowing or browning leaves, and a rotting base or roots.
Cause: Succulents store water in their leaves, so they don’t need frequent watering. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which is a common problem for succulents.
Solution: Always ensure the pot has good drainage. Let the soil dry out completely before watering again. If the plant shows signs of rot, remove the rotting parts and repot it in fresh, well-draining soil.
Underwatering
Symptoms: Shriveled, wrinkled, or soft leaves, or the leaves may drop off. In severe cases, the plant might look generally limp or dried out.
Cause: While succulents are drought-tolerant, they still need water from time to time. If they’re not watered regularly, they can become dehydrated.
Solution: Water thoroughly when the soil feels dry to the touch, but don’t let the plant sit in water. Ensure the plant is in a well-draining pot to avoid root rot.
Leggy Growth
Symptoms: Long, stretched-out stems with sparse leaves. The plant may look "etoliated," which means it has grown tall and thin in search of more light.
Cause: Insufficient light. Succulents need bright, indirect light to grow properly. If they don’t get enough light, they will stretch toward it, resulting in leggy growth.
Solution: Move your succulent to a brighter spot, preferably a south- or west-facing window. If natural light is insufficient, you can supplement with a grow light.
Sunburn
Symptoms: Brown or white sunburn spots on the leaves, especially if they’re exposed to intense direct sunlight for too long.
Cause: Succulents, especially those that have been grown in lower light conditions, can get sunburned if suddenly placed in direct, intense sunlight.
Solution: Gradually acclimate your succulent to higher light conditions. If sunburned, move the plant to a spot with bright, indirect light. Avoid harsh midday sunlight.
Root Rot
Symptoms: Wilting, yellowing leaves, a mushy or foul-smelling base, or blackened roots.
Cause: Root rot typically occurs due to overwatering or poor drainage, causing the roots to stay wet for too long.
Solution: If you notice root rot, remove the plant from its pot, trim away the rotting parts of the roots, and allow the plant to dry out for a day or two. Repot in fresh, well-draining soil with a pot that has drainage holes.
Fungus or Mold Growth
Symptoms: Mold, fuzzy patches, or a musty smell around the base of the plant or in the soil.
Cause: Fungus and mold can grow when the plant is kept in excessively humid or wet conditions, or if the soil is too moist for long periods.
Solution: Move your succulent to a well-ventilated area. Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. You can also remove the affected soil and repot the succulent with fresh, dry soil.
Common Pests
Succulents are generally resilient and not overly prone to pests, but they can still fall victim to a few common ones.
Mealybugs
Appearance: Mealybugs are tiny, soft-bodied insects that are white, waxy, and cotton-like in appearance. They often gather in clusters, particularly in the leaf axils (where the leaf meets the stem) or the base of the plant.
Symptoms: Mealybugs suck the sap from your succulent, which can cause yellowing, stunted growth, and wilting. They also excrete honeydew, which can lead to sooty mold growth.
Solution: Wipe mealybugs off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol). You can also spray the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil to help eliminate them.
Aphids
Appearance: Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that can be green, black, white, or yellow. They often gather on the undersides of leaves or new growth.
Symptoms: Aphids feed on plant sap, causing leaves to curl, yellow, and distort. They also secrete honeydew, which encourages the growth of sooty mold.
Solution: Spray the plant with a strong stream of water to dislodge aphids or use insecticidal soap or neem oil. If the infestation is heavy, consider removing the affected leaves.
Spider Mites
Appearance: Spider mites are very tiny, usually red or yellow in color. They are difficult to see with the naked eye but may leave behind fine webbing around the plant, particularly on the undersides of leaves.
Symptoms: Spider mites suck sap from the plant, causing yellow or speckled leaves. In severe infestations, the leaves may become brittle and fall off.
Solution: Increase humidity around your plant (as spider mites thrive in dry conditions) and rinse the plant with water to dislodge the mites. You can also spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Fungus Gnats
Appearance: Fungus gnats are tiny, dark, mosquito-like insects that fly around the soil surface. Their larvae live in the soil and feed on decaying organic matter and plant roots.
Symptoms: Fungus gnat larvae feed on succulent roots, causing stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and wilting. Adult gnats are generally harmless but can be a nuisance.
Solution: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, as fungus gnats thrive in moist soil. You can use yellow sticky traps to catch adult gnats and treat the soil with a biological control like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
Thrips
Appearance: Thrips are small, slender insects that can be yellow, brown, or black. They are often found on the undersides of leaves.
Symptoms: Thrips feed on the plant’s sap, causing the leaves to develop silver or speckled discoloration. They can also distort leaves and flowers.
Solution: You can treat thrips by spraying the plant with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or rubbing alcohol. Be sure to check both sides of the leaves for pests and apply the treatment to both.