Watering Succulents: 5 Simple (But Important) Questions
“How long can succulents go without water?” This is one of the most (if not the most) asked questions related to watering succulents. In this post, we will not only find the answer to the said question, but we will also provide solutions to other water care related inquiries.
But before we answer the watering succulents questions, we need to clarify two things about succulent care.
First, succulents are most appreciated for their minimum care requirement. However, my friends, minimal maintenance is not synonymous with total neglect. Like any other plant, succulents require regular maintenance as well. We need to check on them once in a while.
Second, given that most succulents can survive without much water, a common misconception of these plants is that they do not like to be soaked in water.
In contrast, they love to be immersed in water since it enables them to load in water in their leaves and stems. However, once they are full, the excess water in the soil must be flushed out so that not to drown the plant.
Having cleared two succulent care misbeliefs, we will now proceed to the most asked watering succulents questions.
How often should you water your succulents?
There is no concrete answer when it comes to the frequency of water care. Some succulents need watering once a week, while others once a month. But we can always take a hint from the plant’s soil.
As a general rule, always check if the soil is completely dry before watering the succulents again. In this way, you will keep the plants from being overwatered.
If you want to come up with a schedule, you may observe how long until the soil dries up, use it as a point of reference for the next water session, and adjust if needed.
To further guide you in setting your timetable, check the following four factors that affect the soil moisture:
Container Size
Succulents in small containers require more frequent watering since smaller containers carry less soil, which in turn holds less moisture. Conversely, plants in large pots should be watered less often.
Humidity
The evaporation of soil moisture is high in places with low humidity. So succulents grown in these places should be water supplied more repeatedly.
Season
A succulent water routine also changes with the season. During warm months, soil dries up more quickly. Additionally, for most succulents, summer and spring are their growing season. So they require more watering during these months.
Whereas during winter or colder months, succulents are dormant, and soil holds moisture longer. Accordingly, they need to be watered less.
Sun Exposure
Outdoor succulents need to be watered more frequently because they are exposed to extra intense sunlight and are in a harsher environment. Plants placed under the full sun should be watered more since their soils dry faster compared to those kept in the shade.
In essence, the frequency of watering succulents is dependent on the soil moisture of the plant. Below is a quick guide on soil moisture:
Small container = water more often
Low humidity = water more often
Warm month = water more often
High sun exposure = water more often
How much water do succulents need?
There are many different varieties of succulents, and each type requires a different level of water needs.
That is why I cannot give an exact amount of water. However, I highly suggest a watering method that will ensure your plants get enough water.
The watering method is called the soak and dry method. In this technique, you water the succulent until the excess water runs out of the container holes.
Once the water starts dripping, you should stop filling in the pot with water and let all the excess liquid come out.
Make sure also to remove the water that dripped in the saucer. You may leave the succulent for some time and water it again once the soil is dry.
How long can succulents go without water?
The answer to the question is, it depends. There is no exact number of days that the succulents can go without water. While it is true that these plants can withstand long periods of droughts, they still need water to live and grow.
So as undemanding as they are, I would personally advise against testing how long their internal water supply can last. Instead, you may depend on the soil moisture level to dictate whether the succulent can still go without watering or not.
Once the soil is entirely dried up, then it is time to water the plant.
What are the signs of underwatered succulents?
A plant is considered a succulent if they store water (mainly) in their leaves and stems. And when the water in their soil starts to run low, these plants will draw water from their internal stock.
As the succulents get water from their supply, their internal pressure lowers, making their leaves wrinkly, dry, and flat.
Although underwatered succulents can be easily fixed and do not result in the plant’s sudden death, you must get familiarized with the following signs to address them quickly:
Wrinkled Leaves
When succulent leaves begin to be wrinkled, it means that the plant is self supplying its water needs. It is like the leaves are being deflated, that is why their leaves become wrinkly.
Dry Leaves
When a succulent is water-deprived, leaves will start to dry up. In most cases, the leaves’ drying or turning brown will begin at the leaves nearest to the ground. Also, there are situations that the plant will release its dry and brown leaves to limit the usage of water for further survival.
Flat Leaves
Another sign of being underwatered is that the leaves of the succulents will begin to flatten since the plant now consumes the water they held in the leaves.
What are the signs of overwatered succulent?
Often, we mistakenly read the overwatered signs as underwatered, causing further damage to the plants.
At a glance, the underwatered symptoms may present similar characteristics with overwatered succulents. However, it is critical to diagnose the plant accurately because overwatering could lead to succulents’ death.
As most have already known, the quickest way to kill a succulent is to drown them with water.
When succulents absorb too much water, their storage cells swell and eventually burst. This will soon lead to the plant’s death.
In some cases, the overwatered state of the succulent is irreversible and we cannot do anything to treat the plant.
Knowing the importance of not watering the succulents too much, we listed below some signs that the plants display when overwatered.
Mushy and Translucent Leaves
The burst cells cause the leaves to be mushy and translucent. There are even instances that the leaves become wrinkled, confusing the overwatered succulents to be underwatered. However, when leaves are wrinkled, mushy, and translucent, this means that they have had too much water.
Leaves Turning Black
When the leaves begin to turn black, this means the plant is rotting. At this point, the fungal disease has stricken the plant and is now irreversible.
The rotting of the succulent begins in the roots. And when the disease is now visible in their leaves, this only says that the plant will die soon. I suggest you cut the remaining healthy leaves and to propagate them.
Leaves Falling
Falling leaves is another sign that is similar to underwatered succulents. But there is a difference. The leaves that fall from underwatered succulents are dry and brown.
In comparison, overwatered succulents drop their leaves, regardless of their condition. If the leaves of your succulents are falling despite the condition of the leaves, then your succulents are overwatered.
Watering Succulents In A Nutshell
We may not have gotten a concrete answer in some questions presented, but let me tell you a secret, “when in doubt, underwater them.” I say this simply because succulents are better underwatered than overwatered.
As a rule of thumb, watering succulents should be kept to a minimum since they can store water in their leaves and stems and thrive even in a prolonged drought. Moreover, underwatered succulents are much easier to rescue. And have high chances of survival rate!
But if you need to have one takeaway in this post, it should be that you should learn to catch the signals that your succulents are giving. These plants give clear signs whenever they are thirsty through their soil’s moisture. Water the plants using the soak and dry method when the soil is dry or when the leaves are wrinkled.
