Whether a succulent is a soft or hard succulent determines what temperature it can withstand.
Anything warmer than 32 degrees F will be enjoyable for soft succulents. preferably over 40 degrees.
These plants cannot endure colder than freezing temperatures. Their hefty, thick leaves, which serve as water reservoirs, will freeze and destroy the plant.
Succulents that can withstand the cold can sustain -20 F. The best it can manage is a zone 4 to 5, and let me tell you, that is very impressive.
You must keep in mind that even if they can withstand temperatures below zero, they still like dry soil. That remains constant.
The majority of winters in the contiguous US will not only be dry but also wet and snowy.
Are succulents harmed by cold temperatures?
You will start to notice damage from the frost or cold if succulents are left outside in temperatures that are too low for them to endure. It’s a hideous sight!
You can use a frost cloth to cover your succulents during the coldest nights in some places (like zone 8 or 9), where temperatures only fall below freezing for a few nights.
For colder climates where the temperature is regularly below freezing, day and night, this is not a long-term option.
Even if your succulents seem to be surviving the harsh cold, don’t take the chance. Frost injury frequently takes two to three days to manifest.
I experienced this when residing in Utah. When the weather dropped below freezing, I kept my young succulents outside for three to four nights.
The dark mushy tissue was the most frequent feature I noticed on these plants. An appearance of rot may result from plant cells bursting in overly cold weather.
In general, aeoniums are extremely susceptible to freezing temperatures (above and below). The one below wasn’t as badly damaged because it was shielded by several other plants.
Knowing which succulents you own and what temperatures they can withstand is crucial for this reason.
For details on different succulent kinds, be sure to visit our page on Succulent Types.
For additional guidance on selecting the succulents you should be cultivating based on your location, preferred watering schedule, and more, you can also download our ebook, Choosing the Best Succulents.
Succulents can withstand the cold for how long?
Some succulents won’t even tolerate more than a couple of nights with a frost, as I’ve already explained. Not all succulents can withstand freezing conditions. This “tender” or “soft” group includes the majority of the more widespread succulent cultivars that you have probably heard of or seen.
You won’t be able to keep succulents outside through a winter with snow and ice, including Echeverias, Aeoniums, Haworthias, and the majority of Aloe species.
You can cover them with a frost cloth or other blanket if the freezing temperatures are only expected to last one or two nights, but this is not a long-term fix.
To find out what succulents are suitable for you outside, look up what growing zone you are in. Find out which succulents you have and what temperatures they are rated for after determining your growing zone.
Do succulents survive the cold outside?
There are many succulents that can endure the winter outside, even in extremely cold locations. These
Succulents that are hardy thrive in chilly, snowy winters. Sempervivum heuffelii, which maintains vivid colors for Winter Interest, is one of our favorites. The frost-hardy Sedum cultivars are especially recommended since they create excellent ground covers in practically all regions.
How hot should it be inside for succulents?
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).
In the winter, should you cover succulents?
If you have a variety of succulents that can survive the winter outside, you might wish to do so. Your plump outdoor greens still require adequate care, though, otherwise the frost risked damaging them.
Not to mention that your plant’s roots could decay due to the winter’s damp soil. Additionally, if your region gets too much rain during the cold season, the succulents’ cells will swell. Additionally, the plant cell walls may rupture as a result of the frost. As a result, it is crucial to take precautions to safeguard your plant from all of these harmful situations.
Although some varieties of succulents can withstand below-freezing conditions, none of the species prefers frequent watering or excessive humidity throughout the year. Succulents prefer healthy soil that drains well, good airflow, and bright sunlight. Here are some precautions you should take to ensure your in-ground plants are taken care of over the winter.
Build a Greenhouse
The majority of succulents cannot withstand temperatures below 25 F during the winter nights. Bring your succulents into a DIY greenhouse if your area has the same winter temperatures, or if you have a gazebo, cover it with 5mm plastic and move your succulents there. Make sure to securely anchor the plastic, and tape the seams. You can even include a little heater if the temperature falls any lower.
Cover Your Succulents
Cover your outside succulent plants with bed sheets if your region occasionally suffers frost. Row covers and nonwoven fabrics, which are often constructed of spun nylon, are further options. Your plants will be protected when it is 2-4 degrees below freezing if you cover them with such blankets.
Additionally, don’t remove the dried leaves from your plants because they protect them from high temperatures. Move your plants that are sensitive to cold under a tree, deck, or eaves; this will prevent heat from escaping.
Can succulents bounce back after a cold shock?
Cold fronts occasionally pass through, dropping temperatures toward freezing, even in regions with moderate winters. Most African succulent plants are vulnerable to cold. For instance, the University of Florida IFAS Extension notes that aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) grows in USDA zones 9 through 11 while jade plant (Crassula argentea) grows in the frost-free regions of USDA zones 10 and 11. First to be harmed are delicate new growth or the thinnest plant portions, which typically seem fragile and discolored.
Even if your succulents freeze, all is not lost. If you suspect your succulent has frozen, Gardening Know How advises waiting a few weeks before evaluating and treating frost damage. The frozen plant should be recoverable if there is any fresh growth. Use a sharp knife dipped in rubbing alcohol to chop away the damaged areas of the plant, eliminating any tissue that appears squishy or has brown in it. This will help the plant to recover. Between cuts, clean the knife. Place container plants out of the direct light in a dry location. Resuming routine plant care after the wounds have healed
How would a succulent react to freezing?
Compared to woody or the majority of perennial varieties, succulents and cacti have distinct tissue. The bodies and stems, as well as the thick pads and leaves, all hold a lot of water. Significant cellular damage is caused by freezing both inside and outside the plant. But a lot of these plants are incredibly resilient.
Don’t remove the stems or foliage from damaged succulents. Instead, keep an eye on them for a few weeks. On plants like aloe and agave, carefully pull on the internal leaves to check if the core is harmed. The plant has succumbed and needs to be removed if internal leaves are easy to take out and are mushy and dark at the base. The plant can be saved if there are indications of fresh leaves and growth.
Do my succulents belong outside?
Succulents are drought-tolerant plants because they can retain water in their large, irregularly shaped leaves. Succulents have a broad variety of eye-catching shapes and textures, which provide any landscape aesthetic interest. Can succulents live outside? is an often asked question. The short answer is yes! Growing succulents outdoors is an excellent alternative because they do well there and can withstand some neglect. They also do well in sunny areas with warm, dry weather.
Succulents can be grown in the ground, in pots, or hidden in unexpected planting locations. Take the uncertainty out of caring for these wonderful conversation pieces with stunning foliage by reading our suggestions for growing succulents outside.
How are succulents prepared for winter?
Succulents should be sprayed with malathion to get rid of mealy worms and mites before being brought indoors.
Avoid overwatering cacti or succulents that are dormant. The plant will perish in perpetually wet soil.
Never use insecticide on a plant right before bringing it inside. Before being transported indoors, these chemicals must have diminished for two to three weeks because they can injure people and pets.
Before moving succulents and cacti indoors, it is crucial to winterize plants. According to Greg Stack, a horticultural with the University of Illinois, many succulents are pleased to remain in our homes and may even withstand occasional neglect. Succulents and cacti must be forced into hibernation by gradually modifying their surroundings in order to survive the winter.
Before bringing succulents and cacti inside, spray them with a surface pesticide three weeks in advance.
Remove all weeds from the plant’s pot and look for Sciara flies. If there are flies, change the soil since they can spread to other plants when indoors.
As the weather starts to chill, gradually cut back on the water your succulents receive while continuing to leave them outside. Succulents should start going dormant because of the less water and cooler temps.
Before moving succulents and cacti indoors, it is crucial to winterize plants.
When watering flowering succulents, such as cacti, add a blossom builder. A little 1-10-10 strengthens the roots and aids in triggering dormancy.
As soon as it gets to be 40 degrees outside, bring your succulents and cacti inside. Stop watering the plant and let the soil totally dry up.
During the winter, water dormant succulents and cacti sparingly, only enough to prevent the plant from exhibiting symptoms of dehydration.
As needed for your particular type of succulent, provide lighting. While non-dormant succulents may benefit from exposure to fluorescent illumination, dormant plants may prefer the gloom.
When watering flowering succulents, such as cacti, add a blossom builder.
How are succulents preserved for the winter?
Many of the most popular and stunning succulents will need to be taken indoors for the winter unless you are fortunate enough to live in a place where it does not get below freezing. Although a greenhouse is ideal, few gardeners have access to one. Fortunately, it’s simple to overwinter most succulents inside.
There is a vast variety of various plants classified as succulents, some of which have very particular requirements. But the advice provided here will help most widely cultivated succulents survive the winter.
When grown inside, succulents frequently develop a habit of being stretched out and lanky, producing weak and unsightly plants by spring. When care for succulents indoors throughout the winter, light, water, and temperature are three crucial considerations that can help to reduce this.
Light is Critical
Light is the main component in succulent survival during the winter. Succulents will extend if there is insufficient light in an effort to get closer to the source. In general, succulents want full sun. Although it can be challenging to do so inside, expose them to as much direct sunshine as you can. The ideal window is one that faces south, though east or west windows can also be used.
If there is inadequate natural light, fluorescent lights may be employed. It’s crucial to keep the plants between the bulbs and 1 to 2 inches away from them. Over a distance of 3 inches, fluorescent light is practically useless to plants. For plant growth, incandescent lights emit the wrong spectrum of light and becoming too hot.
Succulents Need Little Water During the Winter
It is always preferable for succulents to be too dry than too moist. This is particularly true in the winter, when plants experience less-than-ideal lighting conditions and below-average temperatures. During the winter, keep your succulents on the dry side. Just enough water should be provided to prevent plant shriveling. You might just need to water once every 10 to 14 days in a cold area.
Keep the plant itself dry at all times, especially rosette plants like Echeverias. The plant will swiftly decay and become mush as water will collect in the rosette’s center. Keep in mind that keeping a succulent moist will destroy it quickly!
Cool Temperatures are Good
The majority of succulents do not require extra warmth during the cold. It’s crucial to prevent them from freezing. The ideal temperature range is between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The plants will remain in a semi-dormant state if kept cool. With the lower light intensity indoors during the winter, a warm environment fosters the growth of the plants, resulting in lanky plants.
No Fertilizer Needed
During the autumn and winter, succulents do not require any fertilizer. Instead of encouraging the plants to develop, you want to maintain them alive.
I’ve had great luck using these methods to overwinter plants like Echeveria, tender Sedum, Aeonium, Agave, Aloe, Crassula, Graptoveria, Kalanchoe, Faucaria, and Senecio.
The plants may endure the winter in a semi-dormant state with little stretching if you keep them sunny, dry, and cool. The succulents can be put back outside for a summer of sunbathing once the weather is no longer frosty.