Basic Care Tips for Succulents: Do’s and Don’ts

Who doesn't love succulents? Certainly, we all do! Today let's learn the Do's and Don’ts of caring for succulents in order to keep them happy and healthy. 

Sunlight

Do’s: 

1. Succulents are happy when they receive 4 to 6 hours of morning light. Succulents love bright and direct light!
2. Do keep your succulents in bright spots near windows where they can receive enough light.
3. Newly planted succulents should be kept in a shaded spot and gradually introduced to direct sunlight. 
4. Expose sun-loving succulents like Jade plant, Moonstone, and Echeveria to more light to bring out their vibrant shades of red-pink. 

 

Don’ts:

1. Don’t expose your succulents to the sun all day, avoid the scorching sun. Too much heat can burn succulent leaves and cause pale patches. In this case, shift your succulent to a less hot and shaded spot. 
2. Don’t keep succulents in a dark space. Lack of sunlight can make your succulent lanky and spread out, widening the gap between the leaves.

 

Potting Mix

 

Do’s: 

1. Potting mix for succulents should be loose, coarse, and well-draining as they are drought-tolerant and require less moisture.  
2. Use a mixture of cocopeat and perlite for the perfect succulent soil mix. You can also add sand and perlite to regular potting soil to enhance its drainage.

 

Don’ts:

1. Don’t use only regular soil for succulents as the soil gets compacted and doesn’t drain water well. Succulents hate standing water!
2. Too much water and moisture can cause problems like root rot in succulents. 

 

Watering

 

Do’s:

1. Do a finger test to check the moisture in the soil; stick your finger into the soil and check if the soil is dry or moist. 
2. Water your succulent only if the soil is 2-3 inches dry and doesn’t stick to your fingers. Wrinkled leaves are also a sign of a thirsty succulent. 
3. Do let the soil dry out completely before watering to avoid overwatering and root rot problems.
4. While watering, let the soil get completely soaked in water and wait till water starts dripping from the drainage holes. 
5. Do reduce watering succulents during winter.

 

Don’ts:

1. Don’t water your succulent if the soil is moist and sticks to your finger. Usually, succulents are drought-tolerant and store water in their leaves and stems, making it extremely easy to overwater them.
2. Don’t miss succulents. Constantly wet leaves can cause problems like fungus, moldy leaves, and brittle roots. 

 

Fertilizing

 

Do’s: 

1. Do fertilize succulents once a month during spring as they are in a growing state at that time. Use liquid NPK fertilizer. 

 

Don’ts:

1. Don’t fertilize succulents during the cold days of winter as they are not in a growing state at that time. Overfertilization burns succulent leaves. 

 

Repotting

 

Do’s:

1. Do repot succulents with care and let the leaves rest on the soil's surface. 
2. Allow repotted succulents to adjust for at least a week before watering.

 

Don’ts:

1. Don’t cover succulent leaves with potting mix as too much moisture from the soil can rot them.

 

Pruning

 

Do’s:

1. Check your succulent regularly and remove any dry or rotting leaves. 
2. Pruning dead leaves of succulents helps to avoid insects and pests. Also, it helps to keep succulents healthy and clean. 

 

Plant Rotation

 

Do’s:

1. Do rotate your succulents timely towards the sunlight to ensure they get enough light from all angles. 
2. The rotation of succulents ensures balanced, healthy growth and avoids lopsided growth. 

 

Conclusion 

Succulents are easy-growing plants and need only minimal care. Follow these easy basic do’s and don’ts tips of caring for succulents like water only when the soil is dry, rotate succulents timely, prune dry leaves, etc.