How often should I water my succulents? (Overwatering, Underwatering, Tips)

DON’T OVERWATER YOUR PLANTS….THEY WILL DIE!! Water only when the soil is dry! Don’t water if the soil is wet! If it takes 2 weeks for the soil to dry, then water in 2 weeks. If it takes 2 days for the soil to dry, then you can water in 2 days!

Succulents should be watered generously in the summer as described above, BUT soil should be allowed to completely dry between watering!! . During the winter, when the plants go dormant, cut watering back to once a month. Overwatering and ensuing plant rot is the single most common cause of plant failure. Be aware, though, that an overwatered succulent might at first plump up and look very healthy. However, the cause of death may have already set in underground, with rot spreading upward from the root system. A succulent should never be allowed to sit in water. They love water but hate to swim!  Do not keep them in trays as the excess water can cause them to rot.  

Overwatering - Overwatered plants are soft and discolored. The leaves may be yellow or white and lose their color. A plant in this condition may be beyond repair, but you can still remove it from its pot and inspect the roots. If they are brown and rotted, cut away dead roots and repot into drier potting media. Orr take a cutting and propagate the parent plant.

Underwatering - Succulents prefer generous water during the growing season (spring and summer). An underwatered plant will first stop growing, then begin to shed leaves. Succulents are not cactus. They will begin to show stress, withered, droopy leaves etc. Alternatively, the plant may develop brown spots on the leaves. A good drink will plump them up. It’s always a good idea to contact your local Cactus & Succulent Society/Club for specific information related to your exact area.
***IF you live in a humid climate, this needs to be taken in to consideration when watering.  Upon arrival and evermore, do not over soak your plants, water a bit and do not water again until the plant and soil is all the way dry to the bottom of the pot.  ROT is the #1 killer of succulents~ they prefer being under watered vs. over watered!!***

Other Tips - DO NOT use a spray bottle/MISTER to spray your succulents/cactus!!! It does them no good and only causes fungal and rot problems. Succulents and cactus do not like or need moist and humid conditions. They need a good and thorough drink of water all the way through and then nothing! No matter how much you want to water them, spray them, don’t until soil is dry again! I can’t say this enough! Succulents are not houseplants or flowers that need constant water. They allow you to relax and forget about them for awhile! This is the number one problem people have, please don’t waste your money and kill your plants by overwatering, or underwatering with just a spray bottle. Overwatering and humidity are a recipe for disaster!!   NEVER WATER WHEN SOIL IS STILL WET!!!!!!!!!

Regarding watering, succulents do enjoy water a bit more than their pokey/prickly cousins the cactus. Be observant. If something looks wrong, stop your current pattern of watering, reread this, and email us, Succulents and cactus are so easy to grow and so hard to kill. Your succulents and cactus should outlive you either directly or with all of their cuttings and pups!!!