How Often Do You Water Succulents? It’s Simple Once You Know…

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Here’s the deal on How Often to Water Succulents.

Many people think it’s best when growing succulent plants to give them a small amount of water occasionally or water every 2 weeks.

succulents to water with watering canPin
Succulent garden plants are best planted in clay pots with drain holes

Some even try watering succulents using a spray bottle or wonder “do you have to water succulents at all?”

These are both bad ideas.

Although succulents and cacti can survive on tiny amounts of water occasionally, this is not optimal.

So, how often do you water succulents indoors and outdoors?

We’re going to answer your questions including:

  • How much water do succulents need?
  • How often do succulents need water?
  • How to water succulent plants without drainage.
  • Best way for watering succulents.

And many more of your succulents watering questions.

To answer the question of “How often should you water succulents?”

The answer: If you want your plants to thrive, you should be watering succulents thoroughly and rarely.

In this article, we explain the right way for watering succulents and provide smart tips to ensure your success.

What Damage Does Improper Watering Cause?

Cactus and succulents are generally very trouble-free plants, but overwatering is a sure way to cause and attract problems.

Overwatered succulents are subject to root rot and are more attractive to pests.

These plants are extremely susceptible to stem and root rot and any excess water left standing at the base of a saucer can increase the chances of rot.

You are far more likely to kill your succulents with too much water than with too little.

Even so, every living being needs water, and it is possible for a succulent to die of thirst.

Hitting the right balance between drought and flood is important.

How Much To Water Succulents and What Are The Best Succulent Watering Practices?

Throughout your succulent’s normal growing season, succulents like regular watering as well as fertilizing.

For most succulents, the growth period lasts from early spring and into the autumn. In the wintertime, succulents typically rest.

Generally speaking, you should check the moisture condition of your succulents every two or three weeks.

This is easy to do. Poke your finger into the top inch of the soil mix.

If no soil clings to your finger when you pull it out, you know that the soil mix is dry.

Another way to check on the water requirements of succulents is to be familiar with how much the pot weighs when the soil is dry as opposed to how much it weighs when the soil is wet.

While your succulent is growing, you can’t go wrong and let the soil dry out completely between waterings and then watering thoroughly. Check out Bottom Watering Succulent plants.

During the plant‘s rest period, water less often and sparingly.

Throughout the plant’s growing season, provide succulents with very diluted (1/4 strength) balanced liquid fertilizer at every watering.

Balanced fertilizers contain equal proportions of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

The best choice in fertilizer for succulents is a 10–10–10 combination diluted to 1/4 the recommended strength.

Read the plantcaretoday.com article on Succulent Fertilizing

How Often Do You Need To Water My Succulents?

How often do I water my succulents?

The watering schedule will vary depending on the season and how much sun your plants get.

Plants kept in full sun will dry out quicker and need more frequent watering than those growing in filtered sunlight and need more water.

Generally speaking, succulents and all cacti must be watered more often during the growing season, which is spring and summer for most.

NOTE: Watering with a spray bottle will not provide enough water.

In the wintertime when the weather is cool and the days are shorter with not as much light, most succulents will rest.

They’ll remain alive, but they won’t grow at all. During this time, water no more often than once a month.

If you provide excess water (overwater) you’re sure to cause the root system to rot.

Of course, if you’re keeping your succulents indoors as houseplants in a heated room, they will need to be watered more often under these growing conditions than if you’re overwintering them outside or in an unheated garage.

No matter how or where you overwinter your succulents, don’t give them any fertilizer during the winter months.

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How To Water A Succulent In Planters With Drainage Holes?

Good drainage is important for healthy succulent root systems and plants.

During the growing season, check your succulent’s water condition about once a week.

If you find the potting mix is completely dry, soak it thoroughly. Allow enough water to run through the pots’ drainage hole, but don’t allow the pot to sit in water.

How Do You Water Your Succulents In Planters Without A Drainage Hole?

If your planters do not have a drain hole, make sure to familiarize yourself with the dry vs. the wet weight of the planter and substrate.

Water when it reaches its dry weight, but don’t water and overdo it. Potting mixes should be moist, not soggy.

NOTE: If your succulent is in a large or difficult to move pot or the plant is in the ground do not water overhead, instead water at the soil line.

What’s The Best Water For Succulents?

Be careful about the type of water you give your succulent plants. Rain water is always a great choice.

If your tap water is very hard or alkaline, it will introduce a lot of minerals to your plants’ soil.

With time, the minerals will build up, and this can harm your plants.

Repotting annually with all fresh substrate can help prevent a dangerous build-up of minerals.

You may also wish to water your succulents with filtered, bottled or rainwater. If it snows where you live, melt some snow in the wintertime.

Sources: 1 | 2

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