Discover the 4 most straightforward yet most effective succulent growing tips no one ever told you in this article!
Succulents are fuss-free plants, and they don’t like over-caring parents—if you’re one of them, our 4 Succulent Growing Tips will help you a lot.
Succulent Growing Tips You Must Know Before Planting Them
1. If You Think It’s Time to Water Your Succulents, Wait for One or Two More Days!
Do not make your succulent die from overwatering. And this tip is most effective—whenever you feel it’s time to water your succulent or cactus plant, wait for a couple more days.
Rule: Insert a finger in the soil—if it feels dry, then it’s still not the right time to water. Wait for one more day.
If you’re unsure, lift the pot. A dry pot feels lighter, while a damp one will feel heavier. This trick works wonders for beginners! Also, always use a pot with drainage holes to prevent water from pooling.
2. Your Succulent is in a Bright Spot? Shift It to Brighter!
While growing succulents indoors, provide them with more light than your houseplants. While succulents can tolerate shade, they are not your usual houseplants.
Rule: A bright windowsill is the best spot for indoor succulents. Rotate your succulents every week to ensure they grow evenly and don’t lean toward the light. If natural light isn’t enough, consider using a grow light, especially in winter or low-light homes. Look for full-spectrum LED grow lights to mimic sunlight.
Plus, you can check out our article to explore different ways to provide the light succulents need in winter—it will definitely help you!
3. Fertilizing Too Much, Thinking It Will Make Them Grow More? Stop!
Succulents grow slowly and naturally prefer poor soil. They do not like to be fertilized very frequently like your regular plants.
Rule: It is best to feed them one or two times a month with a balanced liquid fertilizer, like 20-20-20, diluted to one-quarter of the recommended strength. Avoid fertilizing in cold winters in USDA Zones below 9.
Opt for a low-nitrogen fertilizer, as too much nitrogen can encourage leggy growth instead of compact, healthy plants. Fertilize only when the plant is actively growing—spring and summer for most succulents. For winter-dormant succulents, skip feeding altogether.
4. Growing Them in a Large Pot Will Not Result in a Bigger Plant
Succulents in small pots won’t die from root rot because roots will absorb the moisture from the soil quickly. Also, succulents in a sizeable pot will soon complete their root growth and focus their energy on top development while producing more flowers and pups.
Rule: Make sure the pot is only one size bigger than the root ball. Most small succulents would fit well in a 3-4 inches pot.
You can use a potting mix designed specifically for succulents and cacti to ensure proper drainage. If you can’t find one, mix regular soil with sand or perlite in a 2:1 ratio. This prevents the soil from holding too much moisture.
So, now you know the secret succulent growing tips no one ever told you! Try them out and watch your plants thrive.
