Evergreen succulents have always captured my heart. Succulents are low maintenance plants that thrive in containers because to their unusual forms and thick leaves; I have a large collection of these well-liked varieties.
Repotting succulents every two years is a good general rule of thumb, if only to give them access to new, fertile soil. The beginning of a succulent’s growing season is the optimal time to repot it because it provides the plant its best chance of surviving. My gardeners, Ryan and Wilmer, took advantage of the snowy weather earlier this week to repot many succulent plants and propagate a variety of cuttings. Here are some pictures of the steps we took.
In times of drought, succulents, sometimes known as fat plants, store water in their fleshy leaves, stems, or stem-root systems. Because of their eye-catching shapes, succulents are frequently planted as attractive plants.
I needed to repot a few of the succulents in my collection either they had outgrown their pots or I wanted to relocate them into more attractive clay containers.
He stamps my name and the year the pot was produced on the reverse side. When I host big events in my home, they invariably look fantastic.
To aid in drainage, a clay shard is placed over the hole. Additionally, I like using clay pots because they permit adequate aeration and moisture to reach the plant via the sides.
We always keep the shards from broken pots; it’s a fantastic method to use those parts again.
Wilmer carefully takes a succulent from its pot without damaging any of the roots.
Wilmer then conducts a meticulous test to determine if the pot is the proper size for the plant. He picks a pot just a hair bigger than the plant’s original container.
Prills are the name for osmocote particles. A core of nutrients composed of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is covered by the prill’s beige shell.
For the finest drainage, we mix equal parts of sand, perlite, and vermiculite for succulents. The correct soil mixture will also aid in promoting rapid root growth and provide young roots with quick anchoring.
Wait a few days before watering the succulents after repotting to give them time to become used to the new soil.
Wilmer shifts to the following plant. This one too need a little maintenance attention. He picked up any fallen leaves.
In order to promote new development, Wilmer lightly pruned the roots after manually loosening the root ball.
Wilmer inserted the plant into the pot after adding some Osmocote and a little amount of potting soil.
The pale blue-gray leaves of Echevaria runyonii ‘Topsy turvy’ curve upward, are prominently inversely keeled on the bottom surface, and have leaf tips that point inward toward the center of the plant.
Echeverias are among the most alluring succulents, and plant aficionados greatly respect them for their brilliant colors and lovely rosette shapes.
An aeonium is a succulent with rosette-like leaves that grows quickly. Aeonium is a varied genus that includes little or medium-sized plants, stemless or shrub-like, and plants that favor sun or shade.
Succulents should be placed on a table so that they can get enough of natural light even when the sun isn’t shining directly on their pots.
Moreover, propagation is fairly simple. Here, Ryan uses sharp pruners to cut a three to four-inch portion of stem off the mother plant.
There should be about a half-inch of stem showing. A handful of them are ready to be planted here.
Ryan provides plenty of space for the plants. There will be plenty to use in mixed urns during the summer if all of these take root and grow into succulent plants. Four to six weeks following planting, new growth should start to show, at which point each plant should be repotted independently.
Inside my main greenhouse, all of my priceless plant collections are kept on long, sliding tables. They all have such lovely looks. Which succulents are your favorites? Please share your feedback in the spaces below.
When should you repot succulents, and how?
Succulents are a favorite among home gardeners because to their distinctive colors, odd shapes, and low maintenance requirements.
Succulents are low maintenance, but that doesn’t mean you should plant them and leave them alone. There will probably come a point when your succulent requires a little more care in addition to making sure it gets the right amount of water and sunlight. Your succulent will eventually need to be repotted in order to give it a suitable environment in which to develop and flourish.
Continue reading for four reasons to repot succulents if you’re unsure whether or not yours does.
Roots are growing through the bottom of the pot
Do you notice white roots clogging the drainage holes in the container when you turn your succulent over? It’s time to repot your succulents if the answer is yes. It’s definitely time to repot if roots are the cause of your pot becoming unsteady. A decent rule of thumb is to leave about a 1/2-inch space around the pot’s edge and between your succulents (if you’re using more than one plant in a pot). Although you want to give your succulent some breathing space, a pot that is too large will actually slow down its growth. Additionally, make sure it has drainage holes. Drill a few holes into the bottom if there aren’t any. If you don’t want to drill holes in your pots, adding a layer of stones, like our Hydro stones, in the bottom of your pot is a fantastic alternative drainage method.
The soil dries out too fast
Have you ever noticed that after watering your succulent, the soil is completely dry again after a few hours? This is a clue that your succulent needs to be repotted because the potting soil is no longer suitable. Succulents want soil that drains easily, but they also require soil that remains damp long enough for the roots to absorb the liquid. Make sure to get the best potting medium for your plants when you repot succulents because of inadequate soil. Succulent soil and perlite, both of which are available at your neighborhood garden center, should be mixed in a ratio of 1:1.
Your succulents are top heavy
Your prized succulents need to be replanted if they are leaning or tipping over, which is an evident symptom. This does not necessarily imply that they require a larger pot, though! Some varieties of succulents grow tall while maintaining shallow root systems. Therefore, even though the roots of your succulent are content in its current container, you must repot it due to the top’s weight. In this case, you simply need a heavier pot—no need to acquire a bigger one. Use a hefty clay container or large stones in the bottom of a lighter pot to add weight when repotting your succulents.
Your succulent looks unhealthy
Have you observed that the once-plush and luscious leaves of your succulent are now limp, shriveling, or yellowing? These are symptoms of a sick plant, therefore it’s time to identify the issue and perhaps repot your succulents. If your succulent receives adequate water and light, then you should check for pests, disease, and rot as potential offenders. Examine the leaves of your succulent; if no issues are there, take the plant out of the pot and check the roots. Cut the roots back to where they seem healthy if you notice a problem with them. Repot your succulent after that in a clean container with new soil. Hopefully, your succulent plant will recover quickly after being re-potted.
Right After They Have Been Purchased
When new succulents are brought home, they might need to be potted again. This is due to the fact that they are usually cultivated in containers with a substantial volume of unused soil and little to no air space around the roots.
However, if you’re not sure whether your new plant requires repotting or not, you may always try to gently twist the succulent out of its container. If it breaks into several pieces or has numerous roots protruding from the sides, this indicates that they require a new pot.
Soil Dries Fast
Your succulents need to be replanted when their soil begins to dry out quickly.
It is possible that the potting soil mix is drying out too soon as a result of improper drainage, poor aeration, or an excess of fertilizer.
To prevent drying out when you neglect to water them, succulents require a potting mix that holds onto water and has strong drainage qualities.
Succulents Are Falling or Leaning Over
The roots of your succulents may have gotten too big for their pot if you notice that they are toppling over or tilting.
It will be necessary to place the plants in a larger container with a succulent/cactus soil mixture.
Succulents Stop Growing
When the roots can no longer expand and begin to round the pot, the plant requires repotting.
Because it need a larger new container so the roots can grow better, doing this will help the plant grow more and survive longer.
Succulents Leaves Start Drooping or Begin Looking Wilted
When the leaves on your succulent plant start to droop or start to seem wilted, that’s a surefire sign that it needs to be repotted.
This occurs when they are either in inadequately sized pots, are not receiving enough water, or require more sunlight.
The absence of space for the roots to expand is another factor that contributes to this.
This results in them spreading out only at the soil level, where they need room to grow new roots, store more moisture, and release oxygen, as opposed to growing on top of one another.
Succulents Become Root Bound
The roots will spread from their containers and land on the floor or nearby furniture. Additionally, they start to spread horizontally rather than vertically, which can eventually lead to issues.
It’s best to check how much potting soil mixture is still in the pot before adding more water when you notice symptoms like these in your plants.
Is there a lot of room up there? If not, you should consider repotting your plant.
Succulents Get Too Big
When planted in a pot with plenty of soil and water, succulents grow quite quickly, but eventually their roots outgrow the pot.
Repotted succulents are necessary since overgrown ones will stop producing new fleshy leaves or flowers and may even appear unhealthy.
Succulents Have New Growths
On the underside of their leaves, succulents develop new offsets. It’s crucial to repot your succulents since the offsets will eventually grow new roots.
You should eliminate the offsets rather than just leave them in place if there is no room for offset growths. By doing this, more room will be made available for other plants so they can flourish there without being overcrowded.
Succulents Look Unhealthy
This may occur for a number of reasons, such as inadequate space in the pot or excessive sun exposure on the leaves.
Succulents occasionally simply need extra room to grow since they have outgrown their pot. This is especially true if you intend to grow more of them by cuttings off the stem or tip of the plant.
There Is a Small Gap Between the Soil and the Pot
When water doesn’t drain through the succulent soil but rather remains on top, the plants need to be repotted. The reason for this is typically that the pot requires more drainage holes so that the extra water can flow out.
Your succulents will begin to establish roots around the edges if they are too large, creating an unhealthy root structure that leaves no place for future growth.
Having a separate planter and relocating them from their present container into one with superior drainage might be your best option.
The plant & its requirements for sun
The majority of succulents with spines and needles (like cactus) can tolerate intense heat. Succulents with fleshy leaves thrive in “cooler, less intense sun. When I lived in SB (along the coast of California), my succulent plants did well in direct sunlight. My fleshy succulents need to thrive in bright shade here in Tucson or they will burn. Everyone thrives when shielded from the intense desert sun in the afternoon.
The location
This is related to what was said above. Cacti shouldn’t be grown in the shadow, either indoors or outside, and fleshy succulents shouldn’t be grown in the scorching sun.
On the covered side patio, my pencil cactus, which had reached a height of nearly 12 inches, was on the verge of hitting the ceiling. It required staking because it frequently blew over. In order to allow it to grow however it pleases, I transplanted it to the rear garden (where we can still see it from the patio).
The best time of year to plant succulents
The best seasons to plant, transplant, or repot succulents are spring and summer. Early fall is ok for me because I live in a region with mild winters. Your succulents won’t perish if you move them over the winter. Just be aware that now isn’t the best time and that you might want to wait till spring.
The soil mix for succulents:
I utilize a Tucson-only organic succulent and cactus mix that is locally created. Composed of pumice, coconut coir chips, and compost, it is quite chunky, drains well, and is very coarse. When planting, I also generously add a couple handfuls of compost, and I top the pot with 1/8 worm compost.