Is your stretchy and tall succulent troubling you? This guide will tell you the reason why your Echeveria stretches—and how to fix it!
Echeveria—The plant that is deeply admired for its symmetrical, compact rosettes and bright hues! However, if yours has leggy growth, then this is an indication that something is missing. Let’s figure out what the possible reasons are and how to fix them in this guide!
Reasons Why Your Echeveria Stretches
This is simply described as “Etiolation” in succulents and other plants when the leaves tend to develop wrinkles, become stretched, and grow thin stems or leaves. If not treated soon, gradually the affected ones will fall off and the plant will start to degrade. So, here are some of the reasons why it happens and how to fix it accordingly. Keep reading!
1. Insufficient Light Is The Culprit
The main culprit for a stretchy Echeveria is the lack of sufficient sunlight. Because they are sun lovers and crave lots of bright light to thrive! When they do not get enough, they desperately stretch towards the nearest source of light which results in a leggy plant.
So, placing your Echeveria under direct or bright indirect sunlight for a minimum of 6 hours a day is essential. If grown indoors, then they should be placed near a south- or west-facing window for appropriate sunlight absorption.
2. Seasonal Change – Winter Months
The amount of sunlight decreases during winter or in areas with extended cloudy weather conditions. This seasonal decrease in sunlight can cause your Echeveria to stretch.
To fix this issue, you should rotate your Echeveria every now and then to make sure every part of it receives adequate sunlight. Consider moving your plant outside whenever the sun arrives to give it proper light for growth.
3. Overcrowded Spaces!
If your Echeverias are placed close to other plants or are in a densely packed space, then they may not receive proper sunlight, especially if there are taller plants around them.
So, make sure your succulent has access to direct sunlight and not just an obstructed view of the light. Additionally, try to create some space among your plants to prevent the taller ones from stopping the sunlight from reaching your plant.
If you have a balcony or a windowsill, consider placing your plant there for better exposure to the sun.
4. Overwatering and Overfertilizing Issues
Overwatering is dangerous for all succulents! Honestly, they are never that thirsty and are happier to be on the drier side. Too much water in the soil makes them develop a floppy growth that makes them weak and prone to diseases.
On the other hand, overfeeding also does the same thing, it can cause rapid growth that seems fast, but the plant becomes leggy and thin with long stems and fewer leaves. So, avoid using too much fertilizer, especially in the winter season.
Try the soak-and-dry method. Water your Echeveria properly and then let the soil dry completely before watering it again. Do not water too frequently. Similarly, feeding once a month during the active growing season works best.
5. The Wrong Type of Soil
Echeveria requires well-draining soil to grow properly. If you have water-storing soil, it can lead to unhealthy growth of the plant which eventually leads to stretching.
You can use a succulent or cactus soil mix since it is a fast-draining growing medium. To improve aeration and drainage you can use perlite, coarse sand, or even pumice. Avoid the use of regular potting soil. It retains excess moisture and leads to over-watering.
How to Fix a Leggy Echeveria?
If your Echeveria has stretched, it cannot be reverted back to its original compact state. However, you can trim and propagate your plant to restore its appearance. Use a sterile pair of scissors or pruners to cut off the top rosette and leave about 1-2 inches of the stem attached.
After this, let it sit in a dry shaded spot for around 2-3 days until the cut end calluses—this prevents rotting. Now, plant your rosette in fresh, well-draining soil and then place it in bright, indirect sunlight. Let it be for a few days before watering it.
The leftover stem often forms a new rosette, which grows back into a healthier and more compact plant with time.
Follow these steps to have a healthy Echeveria and do comment to let us know if these tips worked for you. Additionally, if you have some more tips that you use, please share them with us!
