How Often Should You Water a Succulent?

Succulents are a great addition to any home or garden. They can thrive in arid or dry climates and can last for weeks between waterings because they store moisture in their stems, leaves, and roots. However, just like any other plant, succulents need regular watering to stay healthy and beautiful.

How often should you water a succulent?

Succulent plants require less frequent watering than tropical houseplants, so it’s important to be consistent in your care. The following tips will help you provide your succulent with just the right amount of water:

Keep it in a warm spot (but not too hot or too cold) that gets direct sunlight. Succulents need direct sunlight because it helps them maintain their moisture, so be sure that your succulent is in a sunny place or else it’ll quickly dry out.

Overwatering is the biggest mistake that homeowners make when caring for their succulents. Too much water promotes rotting of the roots and leaves, which can be very hard to get rid of once it’s started.

It’s also a good idea to use distilled or rain water as opposed to tap water. While tap water can contain minerals that can build up in the soil and on the leaves, distilled water is pure and clean.

Don’t forget to check your soil to ensure it’s dry from top to bottom before you start watering. This is especially important when growing succulents in containers, as small pots can dry out faster than larger ones.

Using a reusable watering can is best, but if you don’t have one available then a plastic or ceramic planter that has drainage holes will be fine. Keeping your succulent in a well-lit room will also help it stay hydrated, but it’s still important to check the soil and leaves for signs of thirst so you don’t overwater it.

Wrinkled or shriveled leaves can be a sign that your succulent has become dehydrated. This is a common issue with succulents, so don’t be afraid to give it a watering if you see these symptoms.

Shredded or mushy leaves can also be a warning sign that your succulent has been overwatered. This is because excess water can cause the cell walls of a succulent’s leaves to break down, making them look mushy and yellow. It’s not the end of the world if the succulent is overwatered, but it can be a painful experience for you and your plant.

A moist soil can also be a sign that your succulent has been overwatered. If your succulent has been watered too frequently, the plant can start to look squishy or discolored, which will eventually rot its roots and leaves.

A moisture meter is an easy way to check the soil’s moisture level, but you can also test it by touching the pot and feeling the weight of it in your hand. If the pot weighs a lot and feels damp, then you’ll need to water your succulent more regularly than if it’s completely dry from top to bottom.