Although succulent plants can endure dry spells, they need constant watering during the growing season. Water deeply once the soil has dried to about two inches (5 cm) below the surface, then wait a few days before watering again.
Rot is the most frequent issue with succulents. This can be avoided by keeping the stems out of the soil and allowing drying times in between irrigations. Additionally, irrigate the plant from the base to keep the leaves dry.
Keep an eye out for bug problems and use water and horticultural soap spray to eliminate them.
During the maintenance of succulent garden plants, cut off dead stems and offsets. It is simple to start an offset as a brand-new plant. Offsets should be planted in a fresh part of the garden after being cared for in a well-drained potting mix until the roots are substantial and strong.
How are succulents maintained outside?
Succulents may not need much attention, but they do need a few essentials to survive:
- 1. Provide plenty sunlight. Succulents require adequate light—at least six hours each day of direct sunlight. Maintaining succulents outside can be quite simple. However, if you have a succulent indoors, you must keep it in direct sunlight near a window. A plant that is slanting toward the light is not receiving enough sunlight, yet a plant with burnt areas on its leaves is receiving too much direct sunshine.
- 2. Use proper water. Depending on the season, succulents might have different water needs. Succulents should be irrigated if their soil dries completely during the growing season, but excess water should be avoided. When a succulent’s roots have time to dry out in between waterings, its lifespan is increased. In the chilly winter months, succulent plants go dormant and require less water. Only water your succulent as often as necessary because overwatering the soil is one of the main reasons of most development problems.
- 3. Use the proper soil and pot combination. The appropriate container and potting soil can make all the difference, whether you’re growing your own succulents or purchasing one from a nursery. Your succulent planter needs to include a drainage hole if it is going to be an outdoor succulent. Proper drainage allows moisture to escape, allowing the soil and root systems to dry and prevent rot. Use well-draining soil instead of standard dirt if you have an indoor succulent. It is coarser than regular soil, enabling more air to pass through and encouraging evaporation rather than requiring to be drained. To increase aeration, perlite and pumice can be added to some potting mixtures.
- 4.Remember to fertilize. The periodic fertilizing is beneficial for even low maintenance desert plants. To give your succulents a boost, use a diluted, water-soluble all-purpose fertilizer a couple times a year. Although it’s not entirely required, if you notice that your soil needs some help, add a little fertilizer.
- 5. Examine your plant life. Pest hazards are more likely to affect a succulent indoors than outside. Make sure your plants are periodically checked for gnats or mealy pests. These insects are a sign that your plants are receiving too much water or fertilizer. Mealy bugs can lay hundreds of eggs and consume the plant juices that serve as their host, gradually harming your plant. Rubbish alcohol can be sprayed on your succulent’s leaves or soil to effectively kill mealy bugs and their eggs. Check the leaves and soil of the succulent before bringing it home from the nursery to make sure no bugs are present.
Season
During the spring and summer, when succulents are actively growing, you’ll need to water them much more frequently. They rapidly extract water from the earth as they grow new stems, leaves, roots, and blossoms. Depending on the weather, such as the light and temperature, you might water them three times every week. Succulent plants go dormant in the winter. You won’t need to water them very much throughout the season because their growth has stopped. Giving a succulent too much water in the winter is one of the simplest ways to destroy it, so avoid using your watering can from November to March. Allow your succulent to rest peacefully in the desert.
Container Size
Because larger containers contain more soil, which retains moisture longer, they require less frequent watering. Small, shallow containers will require more regular watering because the soil dries out more quickly.
The Best Soil for Planting Succulents Outside
Succulents will grow healthier if they are planted in soil that has the right nutrients. Succulents prefer well-draining soil and have short root systems. For optimal results, plant succulents in loose, rocky soil that is rich with nutrients.
Use a potting mix designed specifically for succulents and cacti when planting in containers, and place the plant in a pot with drainage holes at the bottom.
They thrive on slightly acidic soil that has a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5. Succulent plants could die off if their soil is too alkaline.
Outdoor Succulent Light and Temperature Needs
- In environments with direct sunlight, succulents thrive. Succulents thrive in sunlight and radiate happiness with their voluminous, vibrant foliage.
- Succulents will reach awkwardly for sunshine if they receive insufficient sunlight, which will lead to spindly, pale, and imbalanced plants.
- As long as there is some protection from harsh weather and dramatic temperature drops, hardy succulent types can overwinter in their containers or in the ground.
- Succulent types that are more delicate are less resilient in chilly growing regions. During the winter, it’s best to bring them inside and put them in a bright window, preferably one that faces south. They can be placed indoors under grow lights to help with growth during the chilly winter months.
Do outdoor succulents require sunlight?
Outdoor succulent cultivation might be beneficial to your plants. Succulents nearly always do better when left outside or given some outdoor time, even for brief periods of time, depending on the lighting, humidity, and temperature in your home. The following are some benefits of growing them outside:
a lot of daylight
The likelihood that your plants will receive enough sunlight is higher while growing outdoors. Some settings in your house might not have enough light to give your plants the sunshine they need, depending on the lighting conditions there. At least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight every day, or more, are necessary for succulents to thrive. Your plants will be exposed to the sun’s rays all day if you leave them outside, and you can nearly always count on them getting all the sunshine they require each day.
Rain Water
Your succulent plants will appear healthier, brighter, and much happier if you watch them after a nice rain. Your plants can benefit from the benefits of rainwater. They give your plants the essential nutrients and minerals they need while cleaning out and removing any unwanted buildup from tap water. By removing dust and other debris that can hinder photosynthesis, rainwater aids in the cleaning of plant leaves. When rain is predicted, I also prefer to move my container plants to locations where they may get a nice soaking from the rain. They will profit from the rainwater in this way. Collecting rainwater to use for later irrigation of plants and for watering indoor plants is a good idea.
The impact that precipitation had on my cactus plant was one of my biggest surprises. Last year, during the cold and rainy season, I worried about this cactus plant since I wasn’t sure if it would survive with all the wetness falling on it. This plant’s size doubled as it grew long and plump after the rains the previous year. Look at the dimpling where it developed and extended. Since then, I relocated this cactus plant, which you can see above in its own pot. It is then simpler to move and transport as necessary.
exposed to the elements of nature
To thrive, plants require fresh air. For breathing and photosynthesis, they require oxygen. A plant needs oxygen to grow. Over time, indoor plants may become oxygen-depleted from outside air, and noxious air may accumulate. Dust can build up on the leaves of indoor plants, obstructing the sunlight’s ability to reach the leaves and preventing the plants from breathing effectively. Plants will grow better if their leaves are kept clean and free of debris. Being outside also exposes plants to pollinators, which are essential to their survival in the wild, such bees and birds.
safeguarded against dogs and young children (and vice versa)
You can avoid the hassle of having to keep your pets and young children away from your plants by keeping them outside. Because they are naturally inquisitive, pets and young children might hurt your prized plants by trampling on them, leaping on them, treading on their pots, trampling on their leaves, etc. For a brief while, my young daughter would pick the leaves off of my plants. Thankfully, she quickly realized that this was very unacceptable and had broken the behavior.
In addition, some succulent plants can be poisonous to people and animals if consumed. Some succulents exude chemicals that are unpleasant or toxic to both people and animals. You can avoid the stress of worrying that your cherished pets will get hurt by eating or playing with your plants by keeping your succulents outside. Visit my post on “9 Succulent Plants Toxic To Cats, Dogs or Pets” to discover more about succulents that are toxic to animals.
Although there are numerous potential advantages to growing succulents outside, not everyone should do so. It’s also a good idea to be aware that keeping your plants outside exposes them to possible pests, insects, and animals that could harm them or spread illness.
Personally, I’ve planted succulents both inside and outside. My succulents do better outside because to my local climate and indoor lighting setup, though. Succulents can grow and flourish in a variety of conditions due to their extraordinary attributes and hardiness, which is part of their attraction and the reason we adore them so much.
Do you want to know where to buy succulents online? For suggestions, see my Resource Page.
If it rains, can succulents stay outside?
Your succulents won’t actually be harmed by a little rain. In fact, it will aid in clearing the plant’s soil of any dirt and contaminants while also providing the necessary nitrogen to the succulents. On the other side, you should be concerned if the rain falls too frequently and heavily. Therefore, if you reside in a region where it frequently and strongly rains, remember to protect your succulent plants outside or, even better, move them within for safety, especially if;
- There are no drainage holes in your pots. If necessary, you can drill one yourself.
- Your succulents are placed in a metal or wooden container or planter. Remember that metal can rust both when it’s wet and when it’s dry. If this rust gets into the soil where your succulents are growing, it could damage the roots. On the other side, wood containers might decay, which will cause fungus and bacterial growth.
- The succulents are placed in a pot with a subpar or inappropriate soil mixture. Moving potted succulents indoors is the best option because they don’t have as much room for their roots to expand and acquire the nutrients they require during the rainy season as in-ground succulents do.
- Unless you have planned your outside garden with a great slope of well-draining soil, you live in a region where you get more than 25 to 30 inches of rainfall per year.
The rain assists in cleaning the plant’s soil of all the dirt and contaminants while also providing the necessary nitrogen for the succulents.
How do you tell whether a succulent needs to be watered?
Succulents are better off dry than wet, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore the need to water them. In fact, the plant needs water to survive, and much like people, it will exhibit dehydration symptoms. Your succulent clearly needs extra water if its leaves are wrinkled and shriveled.
The cells attempt to bring in more water to make up for the water that has been lost as they release their stored moisture to the rest of the plant. The cells shrink as they run out of water and the plant is forced to rely on its limited reserves, which causes the once-firm and full leaves to collapse and shrivel.
What time of day is ideal for watering succulent plants?
Because they are exposed to different environments outside, outdoor succulents require slightly different watering requirements than inside plants. Generally speaking, plants need to be watered every seven to ten days during the active growing season. Sense the moisture in the soil. Before watering, the top inch of the soil ought to be touchably dry. Thoroughly water the plants until some of the extra water begins to seep out of the holes. Excess water might not always drain out of the pot depending on the type of container and soil you are using. It ought to be enough as long as you watered deeply.
Water less frequently and more sparingly, typically every three to four weeks, during the dormant season. Although not absolutely bone-dry, the plant must feel dry to the touch. Keep an eye on your plants to observe if they begin to exhibit indicators that they require watering. It’s time to water your plants when their leaves begin to shrink and feel flat to the touch rather than full.
The ideal time to water is in the morning, especially for outside plants. As a result, the plant can dry out during the hot summer months. By watering early in the day, you can ensure that the water reaches the roots of your plants and that they are well hydrated for the afternoon heat. By allowing the plants to dry up before the stronger afternoon sun strikes them, watering in the morning also helps to prevent sunburn on the leaves of your plants.
Are succulents able to endure shade?
Your aim is to provide as much sun as they can bear without burning because light improves the development, form, color, and blossoms of succulents (and other plants, for that matter).
Below in my gallery of outdoor shade succulents, I’ve ID’d each one along with how much shade it wants, abbreviated PS, BS or FS.
Adapt my three shade options to your specific region. Closer to the water and farther from the desert, succulents can withstand more solar exposure. These are primarily for Zone 9b (inland Southern California), where I have planted a variety of succulents for shade for the past 25 years.
Part shade (PS)
This is sometimes referred to as semi-shade and consists of bright shade for the majority of the day and full sun for a few hours in the early morning or late afternoon. “Dappled light” or “dappled sun” that glimmers through a canopy of leaves can also be considered part shade.
Bright shade (BS)
This is side-facing indirect light that reaches plants when they are placed beneath eaves, shelves, tables, or trees. Bright shade, often known as “filtered light,” is common in greenhouses, nurseries, lath houses, shade structures, as well as under patio umbrellas and sun sails.
Full shade (FS)
If any sunlight reaches plants in full darkness (also known as “deep shade”), it is weak and fleeting. Some succulents, like sansevierias, can survive in complete darkness, but for the most part, they require some sun to grow and look their best.