Before you even plant your succulent in your yard, this is the easiest way to find out if it will survive the winter in your region. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is referenced on the labels of the majority of plants that are sold in retailers. The label will indicate whether or not the plant will survive the winter depending on the zone you live in. The zones are separated by a difference of 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit in their lowest annual temperature. There is minimal likelihood that it will survive the winter in that area if your zone is lower than the recommended zone on the label.
Tip #2: Bring Them Indoors
Bring your succulent indoors during the winter even if it is in the right climate zone. Even though sudden temperature dips are uncommon, one chilly night is all it takes to harm your plants. They can be kept in your garage if the temperature there doesn’t fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t forget to give them three to four hours of indirect sunshine each day. Checking for insects like mealybugs and aphids is a crucial factor. Spray the leaves with a mixture of 1 part water and 3 parts rubbing alcohol to kill the bugs because you don’t want them inside your house.
Although it’s frequently overlooked, preparing your put for indoor play is crucial as well. Your succulents’ containers are probably a little muddy if they have been playing hard outside. To prevent them from spreading around your home when you transfer things inside, first clear the pot of any dead leaves and other debris. Second, clean off any extra dirt from your pot; you want a clean transition from the inside to the outside! Lastly, look for bugs. Creepy crawlies taking over your house is the last thing you need. You should be well on your way to your indoor succulents thriving after following those three steps.
Tip #3: Reduce Watering in the Late Fall
Winter is the period when succulents go dormant, so watering is even less necessary. So once the weather becomes colder and the days get shorter, stop watering them. Reduce it to once a month, but you should also check the soil’s moisture content first before watering. When the ground is entirely dry, only do it. It only takes a good five minutes to water. To prevent succulents from dying from moist roots, check that the soil has excellent drainage. Sand or organic matter with good drainage should be added to the soil for indoor plants. Mulch shouldn’t be used near the base of outside plants since it can trap moisture.
Before you fully stop watering your succulents, here’s a short tip: identify them! Winter is when most succulents go dormant, however some are winter growers. The plants that don’t go dormant will require more water than the others. Keep an eye on things at least to prevent your freshly indoor succulents from becoming overly dry. (Succulents will dry out more quickly than others if they are close to vents or heaters.
Tip #4: Sunlight
When putting your succulents indoors, sunlight is absolutely crucial! Making sure they receive adequate sunlight in the winter is challenging. To get the most indirect light, place your succulents close to your home’s brightest window. Try to provide succulents with at least 6 hours of sunshine each day for the healthiest results. They’ll begin to slant toward the window if you’re not providing them with adequate sunshine. Simply turn them the other way to straighten them out.
Tip #5: Cover Up Your Succulents
If you are unable to bring the plants inside due to impending cold weather, you can cover them with various forms of protection. Snow covers are beneficial because they provide protection from snow, frost, and strong winds. You can buy them from your neighborhood garden supply store or online. Bushel baskets can be used to cover and safeguard succulents if you have any lying about. Just be cautious not to leave them covered for an extended period of time. The plants require ample sunlight and clean airflow.
These straightforward suggestions can help you keep your succulents happy and healthy throughout the winter. Give your friends and neighbors the information so they can preserve their succulent plants as well!
During the winter, can I bring my succulents inside?
Since most succulents are accustomed to hot, arid environments, they are particularly hard hit by winter’s frigid temperatures.
Some succulents, like Aloe, Echeveria, and Crassula, require frost protection when the temperature falls below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The majority of the other species can endure temperatures higher than 40 °F.
No matter the genus, you should never leave your succulents in a freezer. The explanation is straightforward: because succulents hold a lot of water in their leaves, stems, and trunks, when the temperature drops below freezing, the water expands and bursts through the cell membrane. The plant will eventually expire.
The plants can sense fewer days and lower temperatures, which indicate the impending winter. However, by winterizing them, you can deceive your succulent. Before it becomes too cold outside, you can bring the plant inside and give it regular care.
Simply said, the fall is the ideal season to bring succulents inside. You need to keep your plants from detecting the shift in weather conditions, therefore don’t wait until the actual winter.
Succulents should be brought inside for the winter when?
When you should bring your succulents indoors depends on a few different factors. These elements include your residence and the crops you raise.
Generally speaking, succulents need to be moved inside before the first frost. Typically, this occurs at the end of September.
Bring your succulents indoors when the weather starts to cool down if you live in a hotter climate.
When nightly lows fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and daytime highs do not consistently reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit for a few days, it is time to bring them inside.
Typically, this is the time when they start to feel chilly and show symptoms of stress or illness, such as shriveled growths or falling leaves (especially if this has happened before).
Some species, such rosette forms, can tolerate colder wintertime temperatures, but the majority of species require warmer conditions year-round—at least 50 degrees F.
Any tropical kinds growing outside will need to be moved inside when the overnight lows reach the 40s.
When it starts getting darker earlier in the day, that is another consideration when deciding when to bring succulents indoors.
If your days are still long and sunny, it won’t be essential to bring them inside just yet. However, this becomes necessary when nightfall arrives earlier than anticipated (before sunset).
Which Succulents Need To Be Brought Inside During Winter?
Based on how well they tolerate cold temperatures, succulents can be split into two groups: cold hardy succulents and soft or fragile succulent plants.
The only succulents that can tolerate frost when the temperature drops below a particular level are cold hardy (deciduous) succulents. When the temperature is between 20 and 25 degrees Fahrenheit, these succulents can remain outside all winter (-28.88C).
Some cold-tolerant succulent plants may not be able to tolerate dry indoor heating when brought inside for the winter, and they may become dehydrated.
Tropical or subtropical species known as tender succulents must be brought indoors during the winter months because they cannot tolerate frost below a particular temperature.
When it is at least 50 to 60 F outside, soft succulents can be kept (28.88C).
How may outdoor succulents be brought indoors?
Succulents can be grown year-round indoors, but they will benefit from spending at least some of the summer outdoors. Here is a checklist to ensure that the transition from the outside to the inside is as easy as possible:
Water Outside
Water succulents one final time outside because watering them indoors can be difficult (having to carry them all to the sink, waiting for them to stop leaking, etc.).
Aim to water them for two to three days before bringing them indoors. This enables them to begin drying out and soaking up the water they require. Once the succulents are inside, your shelf or table stays lovely and dry.
Well Draining Soil
Additionally, if they aren’t already, make sure your succulents are in a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil. If they are planted in the proper soil and container, succulents grown indoors will fare much better.
I’ve been using this Bonsai Jack succulent soil mix and adore it if you don’t want to mix your own succulent soil. The recipe is the same as the one I used to prepare it myself, but I no longer have to spend hours laboring over it. Your succulent plants will undoubtedly appreciate you for giving them the proper soil.
Prep the Pot for Inside
When the time comes, make sure the container is prepared to put your succulents inside. Wipe the pot’s exterior to get rid of any dust, leaves, or cobwebs that have attached themselves to the pot.
Additionally, make sure to clean the area around and between your succulents of any debris, such as dead leaves. Your succulents could quickly decay or get sick if they come into contact with dead organic material.
I adore my little tool kit for this technique. You can add or replace the top dressing after you’ve taken out everything extraneous to make the arrangement look even more tidy.
Check for Bugs
When you bring your succulents indoors, you don’t want any guests. The most frequent pest of succulents, mealybugs, should be closely inspected.
Search the area around your plants for any additional tiny insects. I am aware that ants and potato bugs enjoy congregating in my plants at home. I also frequently notice spiders.
To keep your indoor succulents healthier, try to get rid of these small pests as much as you can.
Refresh the arrangement
Your succulent will begin to lose leaves as it grows. Keeping your succulents well-pruned and maintained is always a smart idea. Before taking succulents inside for the winter, it is extremely crucial to do this.
Remove as many of the dead leaves as you can using your fingers or the tweezers from the small gardening tool box. This will lessen the likelihood of your succulent decaying indoors.
Now is an excellent time to fill in the holes if any of your succulents died over the summer. With the exception of one monocarpic succulent, the arrangement below remained attractive throughout the summer. It left a significant hole once it blossomed.
With a few succulent cuttings I filled in the hole, making it appear whole once more! Since it was lacking top dressing, I also added some.
Winter Watering for Succulents
In the winter, many succulents go dormant, so they won’t require as much water. Some, however, are expanding rapidly and will require greater care.
Your succulents will probably require more frequent watering if they are winter growers. Over the winter, my Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’ (a winter grower) always seems to be a water hog.
However, generally speaking, you should only water your plants when the soil is fully dried out. Don’t water them for a few days, or perhaps a week or two.
Without the right soil, it’s highly probable that your succulents will stay moist for an extended period of time because the ventilation inside is less than it is outdoors. The quickest method to kill your succulent is to overwater it.
You should be aware that succulents next to a heating vent may require more frequent watering. Warmer temperatures and direct air can hasten the drying process.