How To Water Succulents For The Best Success

From the dramatic spiky aloe to the exotic, mat-forming sempervivum, the world of succulents has so much to offer. They are the perfect low-maintenance houseplant for beginners, with the variety on offer adding color, shape, or texture to a home. However, in order for these plants to thrive, you need to ensure that you are watering them correctly. To know exactly how and when to water your succulents, it is helpful to reflect on how they store water, know the signs that it is time to water, and ensure that you are giving them a good soak when they need it. 

All succulents store water in their leaves, stems, and roots. This is because they are usually from dry, arid areas of the world and have adapted to thrive in these waterless conditions. As succulents naturally hold onto water, overwatering is a common indoor gardening mistake when it comes to these plants, and can often lead to their demise. 

To water your succulents correctly, you need to wait for the soil to dry and then soak it thoroughly. As you should never leave succulents sitting in water, it is useful to take them out of their decorative pot or saucer, place them in the sink or bath, and then pour water into the soil until it begins to drain out from the bottom. Then, leave the pots there for 10 minutes or so until all the excess water has run off. Never give your succulents shallow, small waterings, as this can cause them to have stunted and distorted growth. Always being thorough will help them flourish.

Like most plants, you can't really follow a strict schedule when watering your succulents. How often you water them depends on the season and what the soil and plant look like. Generally, succulents should be watered once a week in the spring and summer and around every two to three weeks in the winter months. Watering in the winter should only really be done to prevent the succulents from drying out or shrinking, so examine their leaves for guidance in this season. They will not wilt, but their leaves will give similar signals when they need water. 

In the spring and summer months, use the moisture of the soil as a guide for watering. Every week, put your finger in the soil and feel if it is dry or not. If it is wet, you shouldn't give your succulent any water. If it is dry, it is time to give them a soaking. So much can affect the water needs of a succulent, from temperature and light to container type and location. For example, succulents that have been moved outside during the summer months may need more watering than those left inside. 

Different succulent species may have their own unique needs, too, so always research before planning out a watering routine with your plant. When watered and cared for correctly, succulents are perfect statement piece houseplants that bring style and intrigue into a home for years. Just keep overwatering in mind, and you will do just fine.