Imagine being woken up by the smell of coffee in the morning, and turning your head to see the round and full succulents on the window sill, shimmering in the sunlight; or late at night when you are working late at night, raising your eyes and catch a glimpse of the naive “succulent ball” on the desk, which instantly disperses your body of fatigue. This is the healing magic of indoor planting succulents! However, many people in maintenance are stuck on the same problem: succulent. In the end, how much water do we need to water? How often should I water? How do you know if you're watering too much? Don't worry, today we will take you to unlock this key knowledge so that you can succulent goodbye to “water anxiety” and grow wild indoors!
Why has watering become the “number one problem” in succulent care?
Originating from arid desert lands, succulents have evolved a superb ability to store water, with their plump leaves and rhizomes acting like a “small reservoir”. However, this has also made them extraordinarily “waterlogged,” and improper watering is the number one cause of succulent death in-home care.
The “behind-the-scenes pushers” that affect the amount and frequency of watering
Seasons: a guide to the “rhythm of watering” for succulents
Spring carnival season: the temperature warms up, the sun is abundant, and succulents open a “crazy growth mode,” the amount of water needed increases dramatically. Generally, water once a week, but if you encounter continuous rainy days, air humidity, soil drying slowly, extend to about 10 days of watering; happen to be sunny, water evaporation fast, shorten to 5 - 6 days of watering is also no problem.
Summer dormant period: high temperatures let many succulents into the “lying flat” state, growth stagnation, and water demand is sharply reduced. Dormant succulents, 10 - 15 days along the pot side of a small amount of watering once, do not pour through; not dormant varieties, choose early morning or evening, cool normal watering, avoid midday “barbecue mode”.
Fall Golden Period: Similar to spring, it is the peak growing season for succulents, so watering once a week is a good idea. As the weather turns cooler, slowly reduce the frequency to prepare for the cold winter.
Winter “health bureau”: low temperatures, slow growth of succulents, half a month or even once a month watering can be, see the leaves slightly wrinkled, and then water is not too late. If you put it in a heated room, it can grow normally, 7 - 10 days after watering once, but pay attention to the water temperature and room temperature is similar, and choose to water at noon to prevent frostbite.
Environment: the “watering code” hidden in the details
Light and temperature: sufficient light, high temperature, water evaporation, such as facing the south, west of the window sill, strong light, 3 - 4 days to water; weak light, low-temperature corners, watering once a week or even longer. But always remember, don't water the succulent under the big sun, or the leaves will be “scalded” in minutes.
Ventilation conditions: well-ventilated places, water dispersed quickly, watering can be a little more diligent; poor ventilation, moisture to rely on the soil does not go, it is necessary to lengthen the watering interval, or smothering the roots will rot.
Indoor humidity: high humidity environment, such as always open humidifier, or southern rainy season, originally 3 days to water once, have to change to 5 - 7 days; dry environment, like the northern heated room, in addition to normal watering, but also the plant around the water spray to increase humidity, but don't spray to the leaves, to prevent the accumulation of water rotting leaves.
Own conditions: the “individual needs” of succulent
Variety differences: thick leaves have “water storage big”, such as peach eggs, drought tolerance, 10 - 15 days watering once; thin leaves are "consumptive players ", like Sedum Clavatum, 7 - 10 days to water once.
Plant size: large succulent root system developed, water storage, watering volume and frequency have to be increased; a small succulent root system is weak, a small amount of multiple watering, don't stagnate water.
Pots and soil: red ceramic pots, breathable tile pots, water evaporation fast, 2 - 3 days watering; ceramic pots, plastic pots have strong water retention, 5 - 7 days watering. The same goes for the soil: granular soil is breathable and can be watered regularly; garden soil retains water and needs to be watered less.
3 steps to quickly determine: your succulent is not “drink support”?
Step1: look at the leaves “face.”
When watering too much, the leaves will send out a “distress signal”: become transparent, watered down, like being boiled, yellowish in color, soft to the touch, and fall off at the slightest touch. Like succulents in the genus Staphylococcus, the center leaf will also lighten. If the leaves are soft but not transparent, watering can be restored; it is a water shortage, so don't get confused.
Step 2: Measure the “wetness” of the soil
Insert your finger or a small wooden stick into the soil 2 - 3 centimeters, if it feels wet, or even can be squeezed out of the water, and just a few days after watering, the probability is that you have over-watered. Under normal circumstances, the soil will slowly dry out after watering. If it stays wet, stop! Then look at the bottom hole of the pot; there is always water seeping out, which is also a sign of watering too much.
Step 3: Check the root “health”
When a succulent is in poor condition and you suspect that you have overwatered it, carefully get it out of the pot. Healthy roots are white and resilient; if they are rotten, they are black and soft and have a strange odor. When you find rotten roots, immediately cut off the rotten part, sterilize it, and replant it in dry soil.
The “right way to water” succulents
Keep in mind the principle of “watering through dryness.”
Wait until the soil is completely dry, and then water until the water runs out of the bottom of the pot. This allows the root system to drink enough water and does not keep the soil half-dry and half-wet, reducing the risk of rotting roots. But don't water for too long, or the soil will be too wet and hard to dry, easy for black rot. Freshly potted succulent, do not rush to water, wait a week, and then, according to the soil's dry and wet situation, decide.
Choose the right tool, and half the effort
A fine spout watering can or syringe is a “watering artifact” that can accurately control the flow of water, along the edge of the pot, slowly water, and does not pour water into the leaves. If the water droplets are accidentally left in the middle of the leaves, quickly blow dry with your mouth or take a paper towel to dry; otherwise the sunlight, the sunlight will be “disfigured”.
Flexible adjustment, raise the “exclusive rhythm”
More observation, more summarization, combined with the season, the environment, and plant conditions, to find the most suitable for their own succulent watering routine. The One Bloom has prepared a super-practical succulent maintenance kit, that not only has good succulent varieties, but also professional granular soil and watering cans, to help you easily! The One Bloom has prepared a super practical succulent care kit for you!