Depending on the type, succulents need six hours of sunlight each day because they are light-loving plants. You might need to gradually expose newly planted succulents to full sun exposure or give shade with a translucent screen because they can burn in direct sunshine.
Can succulents live in the absence of sunlight?
The most light is reflected from south-facing windows throughout the day in the northern hemisphere. The sun shines through windows facing east in the morning and west in the afternoon and evening. The least quantity of sunlight enters windows that face north.
A south-facing window is the best choice for the majority of sun-loving succulent plants in the northern hemisphere. However, all of the low-light succulents covered in this article happily flourish in windows that face west or east. Even in a dark, north-facing window, some of them will make it, but I don’t advise it because even there, they won’t thrive.
However, no succulent can live in a completely dark environment. Therefore, even if your succulent plants are varieties that thrive in low light, think about buying a tiny desktop grow light if you live in a basement flat, have only a north-facing window, or if your space has no windows at all. When a modest grow lamp is placed over low light succulents for 6 to 8 hours a day, you’ll be astounded at how well they grow. You won’t need to remember to turn the lights on and off every day if you have a reliable timer.
Now that you are aware of how much sunlight low light succulents require, allow me to introduce you to some of the greatest low light succulents.
Is direct or indirect sunlight preferable for succulents?
I’m regularly asked on Instagram for advice on how to grow succulents, so I thought it would be a good idea to provide those instructions here as well. I consider myself a succulent aficionado, but I am by no means an expert, so let me start there. (Always feel free to correct me!) Given that my plants are all quite robust and numerous, I’d love to share with you what has worked for me.
When cultivating succulents, I’ve discovered that there are three key things to take into account:
Soil
Succulents prefer soil that drains properly. For a while now, I’ve been purchasing a Palm & Cactus mix from Lowes, and it’s been fantastic. I’ve discovered that my soil dries out a little bit too rapidly during the hotter summer months. If your soil doesn’t seem to be holding onto water for long enough, you can add a little bit of ordinary potting soil to your cactus soil to improve water retention. Tea cups, Mason jars, and baby food jars are a few examples of containers I occasionally like to use for my plants because they don’t have drainage holes. To aid with drainage concerns in this situation, I will either add sand to the soil or stack stones on the bottom of the container.
Water
The idea that succulents don’t require much water is a prevalent one. They may be able to go longer lengths of time without it, but they won’t “thrive” in a scenario similar to a drought. This is a lesson I had to learn the hard way when I initially began my collection. My plants would become dry for weeks at a time, and they would not grow. They weren’t also perishng. On the other hand, my mother regularly watered her plants, and they were thriving! I started giving my plants more frequent waterings after deciding she was right. Now, I always recommend watering the soil when it is dry. For me, that is roughly once per week in the summer and a little less in the winter. I water the earth, not the plant, when I water. (I’ve heard that allowing water to collect on the leaves can lead to rot and leave ugly stains.) I soak it thoroughly until the water drains from the bottom of the saucepan. (I don’t soak plants that don’t have drainage holes. I tend to “sip” more.) I frequently witness people overwatering their succulents to death. By making sure the soil is completely dry in between waterings, you may prevent this.
Sunlight
Succulents thrive most in direct but bright sunshine. Different species can tolerate various levels of light, but I’ve noticed that the majority of my plants tend to suffer in prolonged exposure to direct sunshine. Keep your plants where they get a lot of shade but still get enough light to prevent burning and scorching. My healthiest plants can be found outside on window sills, where modest overhangs shield them from direct sunshine. As I previously mentioned, certain plants are more tolerant to direct sunlight than others. To find out what grows best where you live, you simply need to experiment with your plants. Your plants may grow lanky and extend toward the light if they don’t receive enough light. Your plants can be kept growing straight up by rotating the pot occasionally or slowly moving them to a brighter location if they are bending or extending out toward the light. You might want to multiply your lanky succulents. (For further information, see my post on propagating succulents.)
Do indoor succulents require sunlight?
It might be challenging for succulents to receive adequate sunlight inside. They typically require 6 hours each day of bright, indirect sunshine outside.
However, indoors, you should put your succulents close to a window that receives light throughout the day. Place your succulents close to the brightest window or area of your house or office if this is not an option.
Watch this video to learn more:
Is it possible to keep a succulent in a room without windows?
Succulents are easily grown plants that are commonly available and suitable for apartment living. They don’t need a lot of light or attention, and the majority of kinds don’t take up much room.
“According to Nancy Silverman, president and owner of Plantscaping, succulents are the trendiest and most sought-after plants for interior gardening.
Succulents have thick, often angular, and geometrically shaped leaves. The succulent family, which includes cactus plants, is characterized by their spherical form and spine-covered exterior.
According to Silverman, succulents are very orderly, crisp, tidy, and fitted plants.
Their silhouettes seem lovely.
“According to Chris Murray, manager of perennials and annual plants at Gali’s Florist and Garden Center, growing any of the succulents and cacti is simple.
Native to arid areas with high daytime temperatures and low nighttime temperatures, “Succulents and cacti can withstand colder temperatures than most people realize, he added. They thrive in a wide variety of temperatures, from 55 to 85 degrees.
Cactus and succulents “are extremely resilient to low light. He said that they can survive without being close to a window. In fact, certain succulents may thrive in inside spaces devoid of windows or other sources of natural light.
“Succulents shouldn’t be placed next to glass that magnifies sunlight, on a radiator, or near a heater. Too close window placement might cause plants to burn in the sun.
In porous clay pots that can breathe, succulents thrive “According to Murray, succulents and cacti look good in clay pots and are popular with most people. Ceramic pots with glaze are also suitable for these plants.
Succulents are typically sold in plastic containers and can be found in florist shops, garden centers, grocery stores, and online.
“He suggested the plants may stay in the plastic planter they came in for around a year.”
They do not immediately require a larger pot because they have such a little root system.
He advised mixing gravel and sand into the soil before planting succulents. This kind of soil mixture will quickly absorb water, which will collect in the saucer or tray underneath the container.” The key, he explained, is drainage.
If you plan to grow succulents in a container without a drainage hole, add an additional layer of gravel to the bottom so that excess water can collect there without getting to the roots.
The word “succulent” means “juicy plants,” and refers to the succulents’ fleshy leaves, stems, and shallow root systems that store water.
Succulents should not be overwatered as this can cause them to decay. Depending on the size of the pot and the amount of light they receive, Silverman advised watering them every two to four weeks “They require less water as the light level drops.
She suggested giving the plants a good soak before draining any extra water from the saucer.
Before watering them again, be sure they have used up all of their water. She advised feeling the soil’s surface and dipping your finger into the pot to gauge its moisture content. “You should never want the soil’s surface to feel wet. Succulents dislike being submerged in water.
She advised using a soil probe to detect whether the plant needs extra moisture for beginners who are just starting to grow succulents. A core of soil is brought up by the probe when it is introduced into the pot and pushed back up. It is not necessary to re-water the plant if the dirt at the bottom of the pot is still damp.
Murray noted that succulents do not require heavy feeding. In the winter, they shouldn’t be fed at all.
He advised using the all-purpose plant food Jack’s Classic. He advised applying fertilizer only during the summer and diluting it by one-fourth each time you water the plants.
Several succulents were suggested for apartment growth by Murray and Silverman. Be aware that there are numerous variants of each of these plants.
Agaves can reach a height of eight to ten inches and have enormous, stiff rosettes of long, pointed leaves.
Aloes are the most often used succulents, according to Murray. Depending on the kind, their surface can range from being smooth to being spiky, and there are numerous color variations. Aloe plants are well known for their therapeutic benefits. Burns can be soothed and minor cuts can be helped to heal by applying the leaf gel.
“Cacti are popular with collectors, according to Silverman. They are used with caution in installations in plantscaping since they can be harmful to children and animals.” You risk contracting an illness if you slam your hand into a thorny cactus.
Identifying this time-honored favorite “Silverman called it a beautiful plant and noted its propensity to blossom again. “Because the blooms begin around Thanksgiving, the cactus should be given a new name. Root stems in water to propagate them, and then pot them in a tiny clay pot.
Echeverias are a constantly well-liked outdoor garden plant that resemble hens and chicks. The outer leaves expand in size relative to the inner ones. Silver to dark bronze are possible for the foliage. One kind of echeveria, called Pearl Echeveria, has elegant flower stalks that rise from the base of the plant and are topped with blossoms of various hues. Clip an offshoot to use as seed, then let it sit for a day or two to develop a callus before planting it.
The jade plant has thick, maroon-tinged, glossy green foliage. Around Christmas, mature plants will blossom with star-shaped flowers. Jade Plants need to be manicured, Silverman noted. The stems will snap if they are allowed to grow without being pruned. Any plant that is pruned will force new growth. Cut the stems off and let them sit out for a day or two till the ends die to propagate. After that, plant them in sandy soil and water them sparingly until they take root.
Mother-in-Tongue Law’s is a two to three foot tall plant that prefers a sunny location and needs minimal water. Rhizomes can be divided, or it can be reproduced by taking leaf cuttings.
According to Silverman, Superba, a shorter variant of Mother-in-Tongue, Law’s has leaves with black and gold stripes and leaves with black and yellow stripes.
According to Silverman, this plant thrives in apartments and has extremely glossy green leaves. “Its silhouette is gorgeous. Depending on the size of the pot, she advised watering the ZZ Plant every two to four weeks. Depending on the amount of area that is available, these plants can grow quite small or pretty enormous.
Readers should be aware that if you use one of our affiliate links to make a purchase, we might receive a commission.
Do succulents tolerate total shade?
Succulents like burro’s tail or string of pearls hanging in planters beneath a covered patio or porch are unusual to observe. Even though these types typically only receive filtered light, they will nevertheless thrive. Succulents that can tolerate shade do occur, albeit they are uncommon. There are a few species that are larger, but the majority of them are smaller.
Building a bridge between two worlds is necessary to create a succulent shade garden. Most of our common succulents require all day sun to avoid becoming leggy and not blooming. Ideally, plants in shade should receive at least six hours a day of dappled light. The benefit of low light is that plants that cannot withstand intense sunshine can rest during the warmest portion of the day. In addition to protecting the plant’s color, this will assist avoid scald.
Succulents that grow in the shadow outside will use less water, making them ideal xeriscape plants.
How frequently must I water my succulents?
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.