How to Water Succulents

Are you wondering exactly how to water succulents? These plants are often praised for being low-maintenance options that even the most inexperienced grower can handle. They tend to be slow-growing, attractive, and are not known for being dramatic

By their very nature, succulents are drought-tolerant plants. So while it may feel convenient to put your plants on a strict watering schedule, it’s usually not that simple. Read on to learn the proper method of watering succulents and how to prevent overwatering.

How to Water Succulent Plants

When it comes time to water your succulent, the “soak and dry” method, in which you soak the soil with water and then allow it to dry completely before the next watering, is the best approach. It is also best to water succulents from the bottom up, sometimes referred to as "bottom watering." This method prevents water from accumulating on a succulent's leaves where it can get trapped and cause fungal diseases.

To bottom water your succulent it's important that it is planted in a potting container with drainage holes on the bottom. The pot can be made from plastic, terra-cotta, or ceramic material. Fill your sink or a bowl with a couple of inches of water and place the pot in the water so that the drainage holes are submerged.

Leave the plant in the water for at least 30 minutes, or until the soil is completely saturated. Drain the sink or bowl and let the plant sit until the excess water has drained from the pot, and then return it to its original location.

How Often Should Succulents Be Watered?

You should only water succulents once their soil has dried out completely. The best way to figure out if it's time to water is to check the soil, either using your fingers or using a tool like a moisture meter. Since succulents are prone to developing root rot if they are overwatered, “when in doubt, wait it out” is a good rule of thumb to follow. It is always better to under-water a succulent than to overwater it.

There are several different factors that can influence how often your succulent needs to be watered:

• Temperature: Succulents need to be watered more often when temperatures are high and less often when temperatures are low.
• Humidity: Environments with high humidity will prevent the soil from drying out as quickly, so you will need to water less.
• Sunlight: Increased sunlight will encourage succulents to grow, which corresponds to needing more water. The soil will dry out faster, requiring more frequent watering.
• Season: Many succulent species goes somewhat dormant over winter, during which time they are barely growing and barely absorbing any water from the soil. Limit watering during this time.
  

How to Prevent Overwatering

Overwatering is a real problem for succulent houseplants, but there are a few to prevent it. Ensure that your succulent is planted in a pot with drainage holes, which allows excess water to escape the pot.

Second, make sure that you use a well-draining, gritty soil mix that is designed for succulents or cacti. If you don't have any succulent soil mix, you can easily make your own at home by combining equal parts indoor potting soil, perlite, and sand.

Lastly, be diligent in allowing your succulent soil to dry out between waterings. It is much harder to underwater a succulent plant than it is to overwater it. Even if it feels easier, avoid giving small amounts of water on a regular basis, and opt for soaking your plant every few weeks and then allowing it to dry thoroughly.

Signs Your Succulents Need Water

There are a few signs that your succulents need to be watered. However, if you notice these conditions while the soil is already moist, do not water again. Look for these signs—in addition to dry soil—as signals that your succulents need water.

• Wrinkled leaves: Succulents have puckered, wrinkly leaves.
• Bendy leaves: Leaves that are usually turgid are fairly bendy and malleable.
• Crispy leaves: Some thinner succulent leaves may develop a crispy quality, possibly browning around the edges.
• Shrinking: Succulents such as cacti may seem to be smaller than usual.