How Often to Water Succulents: Tips to Keep Them Green

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Succulents are adapted to dry, desert-like conditions but still need proper watering for healthy growth. Many beginners only water the surface, which prevents moisture from reaching the roots and causes shallow root growth.

Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to waterlogging and root rot. Here’s a guide on how often to water succulents to keep them green and thriving.

Table of Contents

1. Common Mistakes When Watering Succulents

1.1. Overly Moist Soil

One key to healthy succulents is ensuring good drainage and avoiding overly moist soil. While there’s no exact formula for how often to water succulents, using soil that doesn’t drain well can lead to waterlogged plants. To prevent this, mix well-draining materials like perlite, lava rock, clay pellets, and worm castings into your soil.

1.2. Pots Without Drainage Holes

Using pots without drainage holes is a frequent mistake. Such pots create a damp environment that succulents, which thrive in dry conditions, can’t tolerate. To avoid root and leaf rot, choose pots with drainage holes. For small pots, drill holes at the bottom. For glass pots, add a layer of gravel and activated charcoal to control moisture and prevent mold.

1.3. Watering Too Soon After Planting

Watering succulents immediately after planting can be detrimental. New roots are not yet established and are vulnerable to infection. Wait at least 24 hours before watering your newly planted succulents to allow them to settle.

1.4. Ignoring Climate Conditions

How often to water succulents should be adjusted based on climate conditions. In rainy or humid periods, reduce watering to avoid waterlogging. During dry seasons, increase watering frequency but ensure the soil remains well-drained.

1.5. Not Adjusting Watering Amounts Seasonally

Failing to adjust watering amounts with the seasons can harm succulents. Overwatering in rainy periods or under-watering in dry conditions can both stress the plants. Observe seasonal changes and adjust your watering practices accordingly to keep your succulents healthy and thriving.

By avoiding these common mistakes and understanding how often to water succulents, you’ll help your plants grow strong and vibrant.

2. Detailed Guide to Properly Watering Succulents

2.1. Initial Steps to Determine Soil Moisture

When the soil around your succulents becomes dry, it’s time to water them. To accurately determine soil moisture, you can use the following simple methods:

Gently insert a bamboo stick into the soil where the succulents are planted, then pull it out and feel the soil’s moisture. Alternatively, you can use your finger to poke about 2cm into the soil to check for dampness.
Lift and feel the weight of the succulent pot. The drier the soil, the lighter the pot will feel. When the pot feels lighter, it’s a sign that the plant needs watering.
Observe the soil surface and the condition of the succulent leaves. If the soil surface is dry and the leaves are wrinkled or soft, it’s time to water your succulents.

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2.2. Best Time to Water Succulents

The ideal time to water succulents is early in the morning, before 10 AM. During this time, the soil in the pot retains moisture, allowing the plant to absorb water effectively without the risk of root rot or waterlogging. Particularly, when succulents start to sprout and develop roots, their water needs increase, so you need to manage the water supply to maintain soil moisture.

However, it’s important to note that overwatering can harm succulents and even lead to their death. Avoid watering during midday, especially after 10 AM, when high temperatures and strong sunlight can damage the roots of your succulents.

2.3. Choosing the Right Watering Tools

There are several options for watering tools suitable for succulents. You can use a specialized watering can for houseplants, but make sure it is set to the watering spout mode, not the misting mode.

Additionally, you can use any container that can hold water, such as a bowl, cup, or bottle.

Another excellent option is to use a long-spouted watering can specifically designed for succulents. This type of tool is ideal for efficiently watering your plants.

2.4. Proper Watering Techniques for Succulents

Watering with a Cup: Pour water directly onto the soil around the base of the plant. Ensure the soil absorbs the water, avoiding any standing water on the leaves.
Using a Spray Can: If using a spray-type watering can, switch to the spout mode and gently spray water onto the soil. This method may not be ideal for small succulent pots due to the size of the can.
Bottom Watering: To prevent water from sitting on the leaves, place the pot in a bucket of water up to 3/4 of its height. Let the water soak through the drainage holes (1-2 minutes), then lift the pot out and let it drain completely.
Long-Spouted Watering Can: A specialized long-spouted can allows precise watering at the base of the plant, ensuring the water reaches the soil and reduces the risk of leaves getting wet.

For best results, follow these techniques based on how often to water succulents to keep them healthy and thriving.

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2.5. Notes on Applying Proper Succulent Watering Techniques

Watering Newly Acquired Succulents

For newly planted or freshly bought succulents from Green Sedum, which are still quite tender, you should water them thoroughly once after 1-2 days of planting and then continue to water approximately every 5 days. The best way to water young succulents is by using a watering can directly at the base of the plant.

Each type of succulent and its growing environment will have different water needs and watering schedules. Therefore, if you’re unsure, only water the plant when the soil is dry.

Watering Mature Succulents

The method for watering mature succulents is simpler. Use a larger watering can instead of a spray bottle. The amount of water needed depends on the type of succulent, soil moisture, and the surrounding environment.

Water more during the summer and less during the winter. Larger, plumper succulents need to have their watering amounts adjusted to avoid overwatering. Water about once every 3 weeks in the summer (in hot climates) and 1-2 times per week in the fall and winter (in hot climates). Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot and to promote healthy root growth.

Best Water to Use for Succulents

Use tap water or filtered water instead of rainwater. Ensure that tap water is dechlorinated by leaving it out for 24 hours before watering.

Watering succulents with rice water is also a good idea because rice water contains nutrients like vitamin B, which can be beneficial for plants and also used to purify fish tanks.

3. Succulent Watering FAQs

3.1. Identifying Succulents’ Water Needs

Succulents often signal their water needs through easily recognizable signs so you can care for them properly:

If the plant needs more water: The leaves may turn yellow and become soft and mushy. Overwatered succulents may exhibit brown spots due to microbial action.
If the plant lacks water: The leaves will wrinkle, dry out, and shrink, while the stem may become shriveled.

3.2. How to Revive Underwatered Succulents

If a succulent is in need of water, you can use a spray bottle to water it once every 1 to 5 days. After the plant recovers, you can return to your regular watering schedule, but be cautious not to overwater to avoid waterlogging the plant.

3.3. How Often Should Succulents Be Watered?

Succulents do not require a fixed watering schedule. Typically, you can tell when a plant needs water when the soil is dry and the leaves begin to wilt. Over time, you’ll become familiar with and easily determine the amount of water needed.

If using pots with good drainage and well-draining soil, you can water a little more without worrying about the plant becoming waterlogged.

3.4. How Much Water Do Succulents Need?

The water requirements for succulents vary by type, and understanding how often to water succulents is essential. Some succulents may need watering only once a month, while others might require more frequent attention, even daily.

To determine the right watering frequency, learn about each succulent’s specific needs and observe the humidity levels around them. Pay attention to signs like wilting leaves to know when the plant needs water. For example:

Succulents with woody stems, such as jade plants and kalanchoes, require more water and plenty of sunlight.
Haworthia and sedum varieties thrive in shade and need more water.
Echeveria varieties have average water needs.

Since there are many succulent types we can’t cover here, observing your plants at home will help you provide the right amount of water. Feel free to share any effective watering methods you’ve used for your succulents!

Thank you for reading. If you found this information helpful, please share and like!

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Will Bernan

I’m Will Bernan, a gardening enthusiast with over 9 years of experience in succulents, indoor plants, and sustainable living. I also manage SEO for eco-friendly textile brands, promoting fabrics like bamboo and organic cotton.

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How Often to Water Succulents: Simple Guidelines for Success