How to water succulents plants has become a problem for succulents lovers but this article will explain in details how to water succulents.
Succulents are not like most other plants. So, of course, if you try to water it like other plants, especially houseplants, it won’t survive!
However, this does not mean that you can completely neglect them.
Both extreme cases make succulents appear difficult to grow. But with this simple method of watering, you will be able to give your succulents enough water to thrive.
To help you, even more, download my free cheat sheet to see what it looks like when your succulents need more or less water.
In this guide, we are going to look at the perfect ways of watering succulents plants and the secret behind watering of succulents plant for the effective growth of succulents plant at home and everywhere. so try and finished reading because you will not get this type of guide anywhere.
YOU HAVE TO KEEP A RECORD
One of the best tips I can give you to help your succulents succeed and to help you get your watering schedule “right” is to note when you are watering.
Knowing the last time you watered will help you answer many questions about whether or not it is time to water again.
There are many ways to track this – pen and paper, Excel spreadsheet, notes on your phone – but my favorite method is to use the Succulent Tracker app. Allows you to easily record every time you water, display your watering history for each plant, remind you when it’s time to water and also allows you to keep a history of plant photos.
There are tons of ways to use the app, but tracking your irrigation was a game-changer for my succulent!
HOW TO WATER SUCCULENTS (INDOORS AND OUTDOORS)
The best way to water your succulent is the “soak-dry” method. Soak the soil completely, then let it dry completely before watering again. And make sure the succulent is in well-drained soil in a container with a drainage hole (more on that in 1 minute).
RECOMMEND READING:
- ECHINOCEREUS TRIGLOCHIDIATUS GUIDE: HOW TO GROW, PLANT& CARE FOR “CLARET CUP CACTUS”
- WELL DRAINING SOIL FOR SUCCULENT CONTAINER GARDENS | BEST SOIL FOR SUCCULENTS IN POTS
Very simple, isn’t it? Watch this method in action:
For indoor succulents, it is usually best that the water does not exceed the leaves. If you stay on the paper for too long, it can rot.
Use a small watering can (these are great) or a squeeze bottle (like the one in this handy toolkit).
This isn’t a big problem for outdoor succulents as there is more air circulation and the water dries up faster.
If possible, simply pour water into the soil around your succulents until they are completely soaked. Do not water the succulents until the soil has dried – from the top of the pot to the bottom.
Succulents do not like staying in moist soil for more than 2-3 days.
Then the question comes …
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WATER THE SUCCULENTS
Succulents should be watered only when the soil is completely dry. There is no single universal watering schedule that fits every succulent in every climate.
Many indoor succulent growers find that watering for 14 to 21 days is a good frequency to keep succulents alive. Use this schedule as a starting point and adjust as needed.
Don’t forget to get our free cheat sheet to see what it looks like when your succulents need more or less water. Click here to enter it.
The best frequent watering of succulents is when the leaves show very early signs of a lack of water. Take the cheat sheet above to see what it looks like.
Since most succulents are very prone to rot with frequent watering, it is best to wait for a signal from the leachate before watering.
But if nothing else, do not water again until the soil is completely dry.
And remember, it’s really important to follow your watering schedule. I can’t tell you how many times I “think” that I haven’t watered in a while, only to discover from my notes on the Succulent Tracker that it was a few days ago.
Check out some of the things that can affect how often your succulent is watered in this video:
WHY DOES THIS IRRIGATION METHOD WORK?
Succulent plants are usually home to areas where the soil drains quickly and water is heavy, but they are scarce. Think of cacti (a subclass of succulents) in the desert … they are subject to sudden floods, with storms lasting 24 to 28 hours, followed by weeks without water at all.
While succulents, especially indoors, do not need such an aggressive irrigation schedule, they will benefit from a “soak-dry” approach.
With deep irrigation, succulents have a lot of access to water. During the “dry” period between waterings, succulent plant roots will begin to grow in search of more water.
The soaking and drying method helps succulents develop a large, healthy root system that allows them to withstand longer periods of drought compared to most other plants.
Do not use a spray bottle for irrigation. Continuous irrigation with small amounts of water, such as a spray bottle, will produce a weak root system that cannot withstand very long droughts.
This means that if you do not water for a few days, the succulents will die. Or if you don’t get the water deep enough when you spray with a spray bottle, the sap will die. So don’t do that
Soak and dry … soak and dry …
CORRECT SOIL IS ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESSFUL WATERING
At the beginning of the article, I mentioned that succulents should be grown in well-drained soil and in a container with a drainage hole.
Succulent plants will rot quickly if left in moist soil for too long. Ideally, your soil will be mostly dry, especially the top half of the pot, within 2-3 days.
So what makes soil “well-drained”?
I devoted an entire article to the talk about the ideal soil for succulents. You can read it here.
The short answer is that well-drained soil looks “pebble” because it contains particles “(6 mm). The soil must be inorganic (rocky) and must be organic (pine bark, coconut fibre, etc.).
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Conventional soil won’t do well for succulents. It stays hydrated for too long. I do not generally recommend using most “cactus and succulent” soils for most nurseries. They tend to be very organic and don’t drop quickly enough.
If you are new to succulents or have killed a little succulent because of too much water, I highly recommend getting a bag of Jack’s Gritty Mix for Succulents. This is the best succulent soil I have used. 95% (or more) of my succulents are planted there and it thrives!
Beyond that, take a look at the Soil Post for recommendations on other materials and how to modify other store-bought soils to work best with succulents.
USE A CONTAINER WITH A DRAIN HOLE
Another important part of this irrigation method is to use a container with a drainage hole.
Remember how I mentioned that succulents don’t like staying in moist soil for too long? It’s very difficult for the soil to dry up completely if your pot doesn’t have a drainage hole.
The hole in the bottom of the pot allows excess water to drain from the pot and away from the fresh roots. It also allows air to circulate through the soil and helps it dry faster.
Bowl by Susan Ach | The drainage holes are covered with mesh tape
If you are just starting out with your succulents, a container with a drain hole will come in handy.
If you want to learn how to keep succulents alive in a container without a drainage hole click here and I’ll show you what to do.
HOW SHOULD I WATER THE SUCCULENT LEAVES OR THE BABIES AM PROPAGATING?
This is the only time – and the only time – you can use a spray bottle to irrigate the juice – when you are breeding!
However, still … I recommend using a squeeze bottle (like the one in my favorite set of tools) to make sure the floor is completely damp.
When the succulent leaves are sprouting indoors or out, you can water them every day. You should keep the soil moist (but not wet) so that the leaves get enough water.
Graptoveria “Opalina”, Graptoveria “Debbie”, Sedum rubrotinctum, Crassula rupestris – click here to buy this succulent
Simply spray the top of the soil with a spray bottle (or use the squeeze bottle from the top). Like the roots of large succulents, leaves absorb water from the surrounding air, so spraying the soil with a spray bottle is usually sufficient in my experience.
Watch your roots – they can dry out if they don’t have enough water.
This is again where I rely heavily on the Succulent Tracker app. A lot of times I can look at the ground and know I need water.
Other times, especially when I start cutting back on watering for these kids, I’m not sure if it’s time to water or not. Checking the app reassures me that it’s time to hydrate. Plus, I can save pictures to the app and see my kids’ progress too!
MONITOR YOUR SUCCULENTS FOR INDICATORS
Now that you know the soak and dry method, it’s time to give it a try!
Pay attention to the signs your succulent plant gives you. It will start to change if it needs more water or less water. Make sure to click here for my cheat sheet to see what it looks like. It will be very useful.
Finally, if in doubt, go without!
It is much easier to preserve juice from very little water than much of it. If you think you’ve been overwatering or underwater, click here to see what to do next.
Did you know that each type of succulent plant has slightly different care needs? Some of these are more likely to work out well for you than others.
WATERING TIPS FOR INDOOR SUCCULENTS
For succulents indoors, use the following strategies to properly water your plants:
- Use a watering can with a small spout. If you do not have access to such a can, then a squeeze bottle will suffice.
- Place the water on the base of the plant until it is completely soaked.
- Avoid getting the tops of leaves wet. If the tops of the leaves get wet, they can begin to rot, as there is little airflow inside.
- Avoid re-watering the soil until it is completely dry. If you water the plant again while the soil is still damp, you may flood it.
WATERING TIPS FOR OUTDOOR SUCCULENTS
If you have succulents in your outdoor flower beds, use the following tips to keep them in good condition:
- Water from the base of the plant. You can use a hose, watering can, or squeeze bottle.
- Water the plant until the soil is completely soaked.
- You do not have to be very careful to avoid the leaves getting wet when you are outside, as they will be exposed to more airflow and may dry out; however, you should try to prevent the water from getting to the leaves as much as possible.
- Wait for the soil to dry before watering again.
4 SUCCULENTS WATERING SECRET
What kind of water should you use?
For most plants and succulents, the best water to use is rainwater or distilled water. Tap water often contains minerals like magnesium or calcium which can build up in the soil or appear on leaves as a white spot. You can collect rainwater during the rainy season and use it to water your succulents throughout the year.
Water until the roots. Do not spray or spray water on the leaves
- Do not use evaporators. A common irrigation mistake is that you can water your succulent by spraying the leaves. In fact, it only works for the propagation of leaves and young plants. In adult plants, it is the root that absorbs water and nutrition. Use long, small nozzle watering bottles or cans to gently water directly onto the root ball. Watering bottles are lightweight and have scale markings that allow you to control the amount of water you want to give your plants.
- Do not water on the leaves or on the surface of the plant. Leaving water on the leaves for a long time can cause the leaves to rot.
- Do not water when it is humid/rainy or extremely hot.
- Do not water at noon or in the afternoon. The best time for watering is in the morning.
- Use rainwater, distilled water, or filtered water if possible to avoid mineral deposits. If you are using tap water, leave it overnight to allow some of the treated chemicals to dissipate in the air.
Use quick-draining soil
Succulents rot easily if left in water for too long. It is extremely important to provide fast-draining soil that does not contain water to allow the roots to breathe. Using quick-drying soil + a container with drainage holes allows you to be more comfortable when watering the succulent.
Quick-drying soil specially formulated for succulents and aloe vera can be easily found at local garden centres or home improvement stores at affordable rates. You can also create your own potting soil by mixing light, porous potting soil + soft materials such as perlite or pumice.
Always check the soil before watering
Some succulent plants need more water than others. Most of them will have wrinkles and fallen leaves when they need a little more water. But you don’t have to water your succulent too much. Usually, it is enough to check the surface of the soil, if it is completely dry, it is time for watering. Make sure to soak the soil well, then let it dry. Do not water it again until the soil is completely dry.
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It is always better underwater than water. So, for starters, we recommend that you water every two weeks at first, then monitor your succulent reactions and adjust the watering schedule accordingly. Learning to know if succulents are overwatering or underwatering may seem daunting, but it can be done.
RELATED QUESTIONS
How often should the succulents be watered?
While it is important to soak the plant’s soil, succulents do not like the soil to be wet for more than two to three days.
- How do you know how often to water your juice?
- The truth is that there is no set deadline. The plant will tell you when it needs watering. That’s why it’s important to be careful with leaves and the ground.
- To repeat, you should avoid watering the plant while the soil is still damp. When the leaves are dry and wilted, it is time to water them.
However, indoor succulent plants can spend about 10 to 14 days between waterings. As for an outdoor succulent, it really depends on the conditions in your area.
If it is rainy or very humid, then you probably do not need to worry about watering the plant; In fact, if you do this, you will end up doing more harm than good. If it’s too dry, you’ll want to monitor your succulents to determine when to water them.
As a rule (as we have said many times), do not water the plant when the soil is still wet; Once the soil is dry and the leaves appear to wilt, it is time for watering.
Why is my succulents “soak-dry” method recommended?
The “soak and dry” method – watering the plant until the soil soaks, then waiting for the soil to dry before watering again – is the best method for succulents.
why?
Well, think about where these plants came from. Soil gets put into drains quickly and they rarely get water, but when water is available it is usually heavy.
Imagine a saguaro cactus; Large tree-like cacti that bloom in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and the Whipple Mountains in California. In these places, the conditions are very arid, but when storms do occur, they are usually severe in nature, and produce a torrential wave of rain of up to 48 hours.
These storms cause flash floods that permeate the soil around the saguaro base. The plant’s specialized cells we discussed draw water from the soil and store it throughout the plant, releasing it as needed.
Succulent plants in your home or garden – especially those indoors – likely don’t need a strict watering schedule like the original saguaro schedule, in order to ensure their growth. It is in the best interest of plants to use them. The “soak-dry” method.
This system is similar to the way plants receive water in their natural environment and allow them to develop a strong and healthy root system, allowing them to withstand long periods of drought.
Avoid watering your succulent frequently with small amounts of water. This will weaken the root system, making it less likely to tolerate long periods of dry conditions.
Another important point that must be emphasized: succulents should always be kept in quick-draining soil, and when placed in a pot, the pot should have a drainage hole at the bottom. This will allow excess water that the plant is not using to drain from the soil, preventing it from rotting.
How and When to Water Succulents in Pots With and Without a Drainage Hole
IN CONCLUSION
Succulents are beautiful plants that add a lot of interest to any indoor or outdoor garden. Their low maintenance is one of the biggest attractions of this type of plant, however, making sure they are properly watered is vital to their survival.