Succulents , with their resilience and an regalia of striking signifier , have become pet in homes around the earth .

You might already have these undemanding plants alight in cheery corners of your own home , charming with their easiness of care .

However , despite their stout repute , succulents are not perdurable . It ’s all too easy to come down dupe to well - intentioned care tactics that may do more harm than good .

Woman watering her small succulent in the garden

interpret common pitfall in succulent care could be the difference between a flourish collection and a withering one .

Mistake #1: Not Watering Enough

succulent are known for not needing much water , but a coarse misunderstanding is not watering them enough . They still need to drink ! The key is to equilibrise it decent — not too fiddling , not too much .

Succulents keep H2O in their leaves , so they commence to turnyellow and brownif they do n’t get enough . They do best with a " soaking and dry " advance .

Here ’s what to do : irrigate the soil until it run out out of the bottom , then do n’t water again until the soil is totally dry .

Top view photo of succulents

Your watering turn should be veritable but adaptable . The size of your succulent , the eccentric of land , and your home ’s conditions all play a part in how often you urine .

It could be once a calendar week or less ; just keep an oculus on the soil ’s dryness . And remember , a small scattering is n’t enough for these industrial plant . They like a honorable soak , like the heavy rains they ’d get in the wild .

Read more:5 Tips to keep off Overwatering Your succulent

Small square pots for succulents

Mistake #2: Putting Them Under the Shade a Lot

When succulent are stuck in shady spots , they miss out on the energy they need to maturate and , as a result , can become weak or stretch out out , chasing the light they starve .

This dissatisfactory berth is calledetiolation , where the plant gets leggy , the color fades , and the shape gets all wonky .

For most varieties , shining , collateral spark will keep them happy . retrieve a spot near a cheery window where they can bask in plenteousness of light , but not verbatim harsh sunlight .

Artificial kindling is a great backup man if your home does n’t get enough natural light . Position these lights about 6 - 12 in above your succulent and keep them on for14 - 16 hour daily .

If you need to shade off your flora , using a blending cloth with a rate between 30 % and 50 % will remove the sweet stain , letting in the good clobber while filtering out the too much toastiness .

Ca n’t find a sunstruck smudge ? Check out these11 Beautiful Succulents That Do n’t take Sun

Mistake #3: Improper Soil and Drainage

Succulents flourish in environment replicating their natural habitat , which often meansdry , well - run out dirt . The wrong premix can be a silent killer for your plants .

okay , dense dirt retains wet for too long , which can leave toroot rotand , finally , the death of your plant life .

moot a   grime blend   specifically for succulent , commonly containing a   commixture of potting soil , backbone , and perlite or pumice stone .

Drainage holes   at the bottom of pots are your succulent ' safety net . They allow supererogatory water to escape , ensuring tooth root are n’t sitting in moisture .

A   pot without these holes   is like a swim puddle with no drains ; body of water has nowhere to go . If you ’re thinking you could overcome this with less frequent watering , retrieve double .

And with that , we go in good order back to the lachrymation docket . A sunstruck , dry way needs more frequent watering than a darker , humid space .

But again , we want to take note that this can vary base on conditions and the succulent type . Always check the soil ’s moisture before watering again !

Read more:5 Tragic outcome of Using the Wrong Soil for Your Succulents

Mistake #4: Wrong Pot Material

You might think any old container will do , but the material of your succulent pot is n’t just about looks — it ’s key to your plant ’s health .

Terra - cotta   and ceramic bay window are your succulent ’s best acquaintance . Why?These porous materials allow soil to dry out more cursorily than non - porous fabric like credit card or glass .

If you unexpectedly prefer a non - breathable pot , your succulent might sit in damp land too long .   Your choice of pot can take to a dreaded case of ancestor rot or leave your succulent beg for more moisture .

Mistake #5: Not Repotting When Needed

Often , industrial plant parents overlook the signs that a succulent needs a new home . Recognizing when to reassign a succulent to a new pot is all important to ensure it appease goodly .

learn for signs like crowd source thump out of the soil , water draining too quickly , slowed growth during active seasons , and seeable salt and mineral deposits on the land ’s surface .

If you ’re not sure , get to repot succulent at leastonce a year .

And in conclusion , time of year matters . Avoid repot during dormancy periods . For most succulent , the secure time for repotting is at the attack of their growth period .

This is usuallyspringfor wintertime - inactive succulent and lessen for summer - dormant ones .

learn more : Why repot Your succulent Can Be a Risky Move

Mistake #6: Quickly Moving Succulents Between Different Light Levels

Moving your succulents from low indoor visible radiation to bright outdoor sun without much thinking , or the reverse , can be risky . A gradual transition is essential .

Sudden exposure to intense light can make burn on their folio , leading to permanent damage .

Additionally , succulents accustomed to dim configurations may lose their vibrant color and weaken if make a motion too speedily to bright lightness .

Start by expose them to more or less shining visible light for a few hours day by day . watch over for signs of distress , like wilt or discoloration .

step by step increase their exposure each 24-hour interval . ab initio , use see-through curtain or spook fabric to damp direct sun , protecting your plants during this adjustment stage .

Mistake #7: Mixing Different Types Together

Creating a lush garden is consanguine to organizing a potluck ; it ’s important to ensure plant compatibility .

When mixing succulents , consider that they may not all thrive under the same weather condition .

Group succulents with similar light needs together ; some enjoy full sun , others preferindirect sun , and some evenprefer nuance .

Watering habits also vary ; desert multifariousness need less water than those from humid climates . Be mindful of soil preferences , as succulents adapt to different soil type in their lifelike home ground .

last , consider each plant ’s outgrowth pattern . Some need blank space to spread out out , while others are fine with less way . right spacing will assist all your plant wave .

Mistake #8: Fertilizing Incorrectly

Succulents are like the camels of the plant world ; they put in food and do n’t require frequent eating .   But when they do need a nutrient boost , it ’s essential to get it right !

Timing is cardinal when fertilise succulent ; they benefit most from run during their growth time of year , typically from spring to fall . Fertilizing outside this period can surcharge them with nutrients .

A monthly , light feeding during this participating period is sufficient , as over - fertilization can damage their water - husband construction .

But some succulent , like cacti , may ask even less frequent fertilization . Opt for a well - balanced , urine - soluble fertilizer at half - military capability to avoid overpowering your succulents — less is definitely more !

Learning from Our Succulent Care Mistakes

You ’ve now journeyed through the usual pitfalls of succulent care , arming yourself with the know - how to prevent future blunders .

Remember , succulents are springy but not unbeatable . Their survival of the fittest count on a touchy balance of right watering , appropriate ignition , careful repotting , and aware fertilisation .

By understanding their alone needs and demarcation line , you could help these hardy works flourish . Your newfound knowledge is a testament to your commitment to nurturing these fascinating plants !