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Succulent Care: The Dos and Don’ts

July 9, 2020 by Jenny 8 Comments

I don’t consider myself a stranger to all things succulent care. In fact,  I consider myself kind of an expert, if I can say so modestly.  I’ve been doing it since I was a teenager and it’s safe to say that I have seen my fair share of dead and thriving succulents. There’s a lot to learn about growing those incredibly hardy, yet incredibly finicky plants! Before you lose another succulent plant to root rot, read my easy succulent care guide. Find it below!

Whether indoor or outside, succulents need special care. Learn the dos and don'ts and how you can care for your succulents with ease. Read the post to learn succulent care tips. #beesandrosesblog #succulents #succulentcare

Contents
1 Succulent Care Tips
2 Do…
2.1 Do…
3 Succulent Care: Hawthoria
3.1 Don’t…

Succulent Care Tips

Do…

-Grow succulents in zones 3-9, they are hardy in these zones!

-Plant succulents in an area that will receive at least a half day of sunshine. For more vibrant colors, plant them in an area with more sun.

-Make sure your succulents receive some level afternoon shade if you live in a warmer environment. You don’t want them to shrivel in the sun and they can if exposed for a long period of time.

Succulent Care: The Dos and Don’ts | How to Care for Succulents | Succulent Care | Succulents | Garden | Plants

Do…

-Plant your succulent plant in well draining soil! If planting your succulent in a container instead of in a garden bed, you should always line the bottom of your container with a layer of gravel. It’s absolutely terrific for drainage. Sometimes, it’s best if you use a cactus potting mix instead of a normal potting soil. It’s all about water retention with succulents!

Succulent Care: Hawthoria

-Grow the Hawthoria, Jade, or Gasteria variety. They’re great for beginners and they provide your garden or terrarium with interesting colors and textures. I’ve had a Hawthoria succulent sitting on my windowsill for the last three years. It’s absolutely massive, even though I forgot that it existed once.

Succulent Care: The Dos and Don’ts | How to Care for Succulents | Succulent Care | Succulents | Garden | Plants

Don’t…

-Overwater your succulents! Really. I know you’ll be tempted because this was always my problem, I insisted they needed to be watered all the time! Because they store water in their stems, overwatering is the fastest way to kill your succulents. Plants only need to be watered once weekly, and a little does go a long way!

-Fertilize your succulent plants too much. Succulent plants only need to be fertilized once a month, if that much. Apply sparingly when you do feed them and then water thoroughly.

-Don’t spray with a spray bottle, regardless of what that one pin on Pinterest said! They hate to be misted. When watering, you’ll want to water the soil directly. This is best for your little succulents.

-Use glass or plastic containers when planting! These often don’t provide soil with enough drainage and it can be difficult for succulent plants to thrive in. I always recommend growing succulents in terracotta pots as they practically wick any extra moisture away!

Succulent Care: The Dos and Don’ts | How to Care for Succulents | Succulent Care | Succulents | Garden | Plants

Filed Under: Plant Guide, Outdoor Living, Useful Gardening Hints Tagged With: diy succulent care, dos and don'ts for succulent care, succulent care tips and tricks, succulents tips and tricks, Succulent Care, Succulents, how to care for succulents, tips and tricks for succulent care

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. abby says

    June 22, 2020 at 10:51 pm

    I am wondering if very large outdoor planters is enough drainage as they are so deep to let water through.

    Reply
  2. Wanda Feltus says

    July 14, 2020 at 3:39 pm

    Is it safe to leave succulents in garden in the winter months.

    Reply
  3. Kayla says

    July 23, 2020 at 12:25 am

    I have a variety of succulent plants in a wooden trough like box with a plastic liner. It is indoors up against a window that get plenty of sunlight. the trough is about 8 inches deep, should there be gravel at the bottom? I have already had 2 completely die and saved two more. I thing it was a moisture issue, but the top of the soil was very dry. I water once a week, but how much should I do??

    Reply
    • Jenny says

      July 24, 2020 at 9:00 pm

      Plant your succulent plant in well draining soil! If planting your succulent in a container instead of in a garden bed, you should always line the bottom of your container with a layer of gravel. It’s absolutely terrific for drainage. Sometimes, it’s best if you use a cactus potting mix instead of a normal potting soil. It’s all about water retention with succulents.

      Reply
  4. Emily Gloeckner says

    August 28, 2020 at 5:08 pm

    my succulent kept growing up and the petals underneath started dying. When I got it it was so pretty, short, and wide. Now it’s skinny and tall! What did I do wrong?

    Reply
    • April says

      November 19, 2020 at 12:36 am

      Sounds like its not getting enough sunlight. Most varieties require a lot of light especially indoors. Put it in a window with a lot of light or consider purchasing a grow light. You can cut off the top and stick it in soil. Keep the soil damp til the top starts to root.

      Reply
      • Genevera says

        June 4, 2021 at 3:08 am

        I actually read if it’s “escaping” the pot it’s because of overwatering.

        Reply
  5. Domini says

    January 20, 2022 at 12:34 pm

    I just planted my succulents using your potting method. The large thin bowl that they are in (they are dry) needs it first watering. How much and how should I water? Many thanks!

    Domini

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Jenny

Hi, I’m Jenny Wallentine, a Certified Master Gardener, and lover of all things outdoors! My mission with beesandroses.com is to help you find useful, practical solutions to all of your gardening challenges--and help you love it as much as I do. I’ve come across many helpful tips and tricks to make gardening more enjoyable and more productive. You can learn how to layout your garden for a better yield, use a variety of natural pest controls, the “ins and outs” of organic gardening, and much more.

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