Are there several types of stress in succulents—good stress and negative stress? Yes. In general, a healthy plant under stress will retain its original form and characteristics while changing its color. A troubled, stressed-out plant will appear warped, malformed, or merely sickly.
Knowing the type of plant you have will assist you identify any problems it may be having. When subjected to intense heat or direct sunlight, some succulent plants develop scarlet tips on their leaves. The plant produces a crimson pigment (carotenoids) on its leaf to withstand the intense heat and shield itself from sunburn. We can refer to this as “positive stress” because it enhances the beauty and color of the plant rather than harming it.
However, reddish tinges on the leaves and stems of succulent plants may indicate an insect infestation, such as spider mites, which leave red stains on the plant. Additionally, the leaves would be crooked, which would indicate that something was amiss with the plant. We can refer to this as “bad stress” because the plant is genuinely suffering, and you must act quickly to preserve it.
If your plant starts to take on a reddish tint, check to see if this is a natural occurrence or if the plant is being bothered by something else.
Some plants respond well to intense light, scorching heat, and extreme aridity by turning a lovely shade of yellow-orange. This is how the plant defends itself from the harsh environmental circumstances. Because the plant is not in distress and you don’t need to act right away, this is “positive stress.”
On the other hand, excessive watering or soil that is always damp might cause a plant to turn yellow. You’ll see that the leaves have begun to discolor and have also become squishy and mushy. It’s important to address this “bad stress” before it gets worse.
Unlike “bad stress,” “good stress” is not accompanied by symptoms or indicators that the plant is in distress, such as squishy leaves.
Under “positive stress,” several plants, including the Echeveria “black prince” and the Aeonium arboreum “Zwartkop” (Black Rose), change to a lovely hue of dark purple to black. These same plants will lose their lovely coloring and turn green if you pamper them, put them in the shade, and water them frequently.
However, if you notice that some of your succulents are going black from the bottom up and losing their leaves, this is unquestionably a sign of “bad stress.” When a plant rots from the root up, this is when it. The stems decay and the leaves turn black. If you don’t respond quickly, you risk losing the plant.
Knowing your plants well enough to determine if they are experiencing good or bad stress doesn’t take much time. You would eventually be able to distinguish between them.
The one with green foliage is newly potted in new potting soil and kept in the shade.
The third tree, which has crimson leaves, receives little water and has less fertile soil.
As more water and shade are provided, the leaves become lighter and greener, as seen in the second shot.
The most recent was taken following a particularly wet winter. The plant’s darker purplish coloration has been removed, and it has become more green.
My succulents have turned red, is this bad?
Succulents can alter their color when they require your assistance to live, whether it’s due to a shortage of water, intense sunshine, or just the growing environment.
There are certain actions you can take to improve their living conditions, so they avoid dying off, whether you have a green succulent plant whose leaves are turning pinkish-red or succulents that have turned brown and purple because the soil is too dry.
Red succulent leaves indicate a problem, and succulents are quick to communicate their need for assistance.
The following are the main causes of redness in succulents:
Drought Stress
When exposed to drought stress, which stops succulent cells from retaining water inside their cells, succulent leaves and stems will turn red.
Without proper maintenance, succulents that lack moisture wilt, get frail, and eventually disappear.
Succulents are trying to tell you by turning red that they need to be watered as soon as possible to avoid dying by doing so.
Direct Sunlight
Succulents will become red if they are exposed to excessive sunlight because the leaves cannot withstand the UV rays that the sun produces, which cause the cells to disintegrate and lose their suppleness.
Poor Soil Quality
When planted in soil that lacks the minerals necessary for succulents to survive, succulents will turn red.
Succulents will become red if the soil is too acidic, and its leaves will wilt, droop, and eventually die from exposure to dry circumstances if there aren’t enough nutrients.
Cold Temperatures
When exposed to chilly temperatures, succulent leaves and stems will become crimson.
Succulents may start to turn red if the temperature falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit because the cells are stressed.
High Salt Levels
When exposed to excessive amounts of salt that prevent them from absorbing the necessary quantity of water, succulent leaves will turn red.
Avoid using fertilizers or salts on succulent plants because doing so can make the plants exceedingly thirsty and eventually cause them to go extinct.
Root Bound
If succulent roots are exposed to being bound down, they will start to become red.
Succulents need space to thrive because cramming too many of them into a pot prevents them from getting adequate water and nutrients from the soil.
It might be time to repot your succulents in a larger container with superior succulent soil if they keep dying off or changing color.
Heat Stress
When exposed to extreme temperatures, succulent leaves and stems will turn red. This can happen because the flexibility of the succulent cells can break down.
Succulents cannot retain water in their cells when it is too hot outside, therefore they will wither and die.
Over-Fertilization
Succulents that receive an excessive amount of fertilizer may experience cell breakdown, which results in thirsty plants that are unable to retain water in their cells.
Succulent plants should only be treated during their growing seasons because they only require a very tiny amount of fertilizer to live.
How are red succulents fixed?
To alter the color of the succulents, we must reproduce their natural surroundings. With succulents from the desert, this usually works. We must put them through difficult circumstances like:
- arid terrain
- Drought
- more illumination
- both extremes of temperature
- Fertilization
Poor soil
The only requirement for soil for succulents is that it drains well. Some plants don’t mind if the soil is fertile or not. Because it retains a lot of water, regular potting soil is not ideal for succulents. It is preferable to create your own cacti and succulent-specific soil mix or purchase one.
Drought
Defeat the impulse to water the succulents excessively. These plants may survive for weeks in absolutely dry soil.
Rainfall is rare and only occasionally lasts for a long time in the desert. Water is swiftly absorbed by succulents before it evaporates from the heat. Water your succulents less regularly if you want them to change color. But make sure to thoroughly hydrate them.
Until the water empties from the drainage hole, water the plants. Water them repeatedly to make sure the roots are absorbing the water if the substrate drains too quickly.
Increased Lighting
The succulents’ color can be altered by increasing the amount of light they get. However, this does not imply that you should put them in direct sunlight right away.
Although succulent plants grow in the desert’s full sun, they typically sprout next to rocks or beneath taller cactus. to provide them some shade to enjoy during the day.
progressively expose your plants to more sunlight. It will make the succulents produce more carotenoids, which will shield the plant from solar harm.
Make an investment in a good grow lamp that is bright enough to replace the sun if you want to boost the illumination for succulents grown indoors. Here are our suggestions for LED grow light strips.
High and Low Temperatures
Succulents have defense mechanisms against extreme heat and cold. The succulent plants’ leaves close throughout the summer to lessen evaporation. However, some people also do this in the winter to shield themselves from the cold.
How do you determine if a succulent is getting too much water?
Okay, so we’ve talked a lot about succulents that are dry, but what about those that have received too much water? Well, if you recall, overwatering essentially causes those particular balloon-like cells to overfill and burst, leading to damaged cell structures and rotting leaves and roots.
Discoloration and a change in the shape of the leaves are the first indications of overwatering to look out for. The leaves will turn transparent, floppy, and squishy, and unlike those that have been under-watered, they won’t be retrieved by the plant. It won’t be simple for succulents to recover from this state, but they can. Taking leaves and cuttings to root and grow new plants is an alternative to rescuing the overwatered succulent.
What causes my plants to become red?
Red pigments are brought on by changes in the soil and air around plants that disturb nutrients. Red and purple leaf colors are frequently produced by the spring’s chilly soil and air. Nutrient imbalances are brought on by the summer’s extremes of intense heat followed by lower temps.
Are succulents sun-loving creatures?
Succulents enjoy direct sunlight, but if yours is always in the same position, only one side is probably receiving enough of it. Langton and Ray advise often rotating the plant. Rotating succulents will help them stand up straight because they like to slant toward the sun. (Leaning might also indicate that they need to move to a more sunny area.)
Why are the colors on my succulent changing?
Stress often causes succulent plants to change their color. If you want that hue to pop, stress is entirely normal and encouraged. Water, sunlight, and temperature are the three factors that drive succulents to change their color.
What causes my jade to become red?
Consider other possible explanations if your lighting is ideal, your soil drains well, and all other requirements for the plant’s growth have been met.
Jade plants thrive in relatively unfriendly soils, therefore they don’t require much fertilizer. However, if there are no nutrients in the soil, red tinges may appear. If a jade is turning red, it may have been exposed to an extreme of either heat or cold.
Lack of water is another potential issue. Despite their drought tolerance, they benefit from routine watering with dry spells in between to promote natural green growth. Perhaps your plant is acting cranky because it needs water. Your plant won’t experience any ongoing health issues if you fix this, which is a simple process.
When succulents turn pink, what does that mean?
Many leaves will turn pink or red when exposed to lots of sunlight. Just be careful not to expose them to strong light abruptly if they are typically in dim light (that could happen with taking them in & out when weather is good). They might end up with sunburn if you do.
Do those gray pots have drainage holes? The little that is visible appears to be rather peaty; what kind of soil are they potted in? Succulents require good drainage.
How should a sunburned succulent be cared for?
Succulents that get sunburned can’t use their leaves to absorb enough water and nutrients.
Replanting sunburned succulents in a shaded area and misting the plant with cool water to keep it hydrated are effective treatments for sunburn.
To assist your succulent maintain moisture, apply some mulch around the base if you see any wilting or drooping leaves.
You can put your succulent back outside in the sun as long as it is in a shady area and the sunburn has not resulted in any drooping or withering leaves.
Make sure your succulent receives enough water and is protected from direct sunlight by keeping an eye on it. You can put your plant back in a sunny location once all sunburn symptoms have vanished.
Additionally, check that your pot drains properly because a succulent’s sunburn may get worse if there is too much water left in the pot.
To make sure your succulent is getting all the nutrients it requires, you may also sprinkle an organic fertilizer once a month.
These plants must receive all the vitamins and minerals they require in order to start producing healthy new cells once more.
Basically, you want to do everything that can relieve this plant’s sunburn!
Can succulents endure direct sunlight?
Due to their drought tolerance and water-storing properties, which enable them to tolerate high heat and very harsh sun exposure, succulents have become well-known. This is true for the majority of succulent plants, however some cannot survive direct sunlight without protection, and if exposed to excessive heat, they may suffer sun damage.  
The best 10 succulents and cacti that will thrive in full sun are listed below. Some of these plants can withstand full sun exposure better than others.
 
How frequently do succulents need to be watered?
During the months that are not winter, when the temperature is above 40 degrees, you should water your succulents every other week. You should only water your succulent once a month in the winter (when the temperature falls below 40 degrees), as it goes dormant at this period.
A few situations constitute an exception to this rule. Because their tiny leaves can’t hold as much water as other varieties with larger leaves, some varieties of succulents need to be watered more frequently. In the non-winter months, feel free to give these small leaf succulents a water if they appear to be thirsty. When they are thirsty, succulents generally exhibit a wrinkled appearance. But always keep in mind that being underwater is preferable to being overwater.