Recent years have been a rise in the popularity of water treatment among succulent enthusiasts. Many people have discussed the benefits of water treatment for succulents and shared their own experiences with it on numerous social media platforms. However, there are many worries that this approach would have the opposite effect, especially since succulents like a dry environment more than other plants. This essay will examine this water therapy technique and discuss its benefits and drawbacks.
But this is not a technique that needs to be overused. Succulents don’t require water therapy very often or at all. After being removed, drowning in water, and then being planted again, the roots are more susceptible to bruises or damages. Before replanting the succulents in soil, it is advised that you let the roots entirely dry out for a few days to reduce the likelihood that the roots may break. Additionally, to prevent root rot, wait to water your succulents after replanting them until the roots have calloused over.
If at all possible, avoid utilizing water therapy due to the significant risk of root injury. Try keeping your succulents in soil and giving them a good watering first if you find they are becoming dry. See our instructions on how to water your succulents properly. Water therapy should only be used as a last resort. It is not worth the risk to follow this trend at the expense of your succulents.
How do I water my succulent properly?
Here is how to water succulents now that you are aware of the variables that influence how frequently you should water them. Yes, there are right and incorrect ways to do things. Native to the desert, succulents receive little rain in their natural settings, but when it does, it pours. Desert downpours resemble monsoons because sheets of water fall from the sky. When you water your succulent, soak it completely to simulate desert rain. Slowly pour water over it, continuing to do so until the drain hole at the bottom is completely filled. Succulents benefit more from irregular, cautious waterings that only moisten the top inch or two of the soil in the pot than they do from periodic, long, deep drinks that soak the soil to the bottom of the pot.
So when the earth around your succulent plants is completely dry, water it. Re-saturate the soil after allowing it to totally dry out. Dried up. Drench. Dried up. Drench. You can have succulents that are perfectly watered if you follow that pattern.
[2] Remove The Substrate
Taking your succulent out of its container, remove the substrate. In a perfect scenario, the substrate would be completely eliminated, however this is not always feasible in real life.
Remove as much substrate as you can, carefully and delicately, to totally expose the plant’s roots.
[3] Make The Roots Come Into Contact with Water
Keep the succulent’s roots submerged in water and let the rest of it dry out. I advise using a glass or transparent container so that you can see the plant.
You might wish to utilize dark containers for your plants because the roots enjoy the darkness. In my experience, brown glass ones tend to function well.
Make sure the plant can fit in the container. You can make sure that your succulent only comes into contact with water through its stem and roots—not its leaves—by using this arrangement.
[4] Allow The Water Therapy To Take Effect And Monitor Its Progress
You will need to monitor the water level throughout the therapy to make sure the roots are continually in contact with it and that the water is clean, which may need changing it frequently.
When the therapy seems to have an effect on the plant, you should take the succulent out of the water. How would you know? It ought to appear hydrated, plump, bright, and healthy.
Depending on how dehydrated the succulent was when you started, this process can take some time. People typically leave them for anything between 24 and 72 hours to a full week.
One of my succulents has survived on its own for as long as two weeks. Your plant’s appearance will help you decide whether it should be removed from therapy altogether or kept in therapy for a longer period of time.
It is not typical for the plant to turn yellow or brown, lose leaves, or appear translucent while it goes through this change.
All of these suggest that the plant was overwatered and may have started to decay. If you observe any of these signs, take your succulent out of the water.
[5] Replant your Succulent
After your plant has benefited from the water therapy, it’s time to replant it. Remove it from the water and plant it; then, let the roots drain the extra water.
It is preferable to hold off on watering for at least three days. This is because too-wet soil can damage roots, which can result in deterioration.
After planting, wait a few days before starting to water again. Your succulent will actually be properly moisturized after the procedure.
What amount of water should I be giving my succulent?
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.
How can I determine whether my succulent needs water?
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.
How much water do indoor succulents require?
Indoor succulent plants probably need to be watered once a week. They require ample time for the soil to dry out in between waterings so that the water may be stored in the leaves. Use the following methods and advice while watering succulent plants inside.
- Use an irrigation system with a little pour spout.
- Fill the succulent plant’s center with water until it is completely submerged.
- Allow water to completely drain out of the pot through the perforations. Make careful to empty any water that seeps through the soil if there is a saucer underneath the plant.
- Since there won’t be enough heat and fresh airflow for the leaves to dry when planted indoors, avoid soaking the leaves to prevent rot from the top down.
- Dry the soil completely in between waterings.
How can I revive my wilting succulents?
Yes, I am aware that it seems illogical to remove extra water from the soil, but bear with me. This is the justification. Too much water has already put the succulent under stress, and exposure to sunlight makes matters worse. Direct sunlight is a big no because most succulents require brilliant indirect light.
Place the succulent that has been overwatered somewhere dry and bright, but out of direct sunshine.
2. Permit the roots to breathe.
Cut off any brown or black roots as they are already rotting. Dig the succulent out of the ground and remove any excess soil that has become stuck to the roots. Place the plant on a mesh or other strainer until the roots have had two to three days to air dry. Replant the roots in the pot once they have dried completely.
Remove the entire root system and any puckered, spotty, black, or brown stems if the roots are entirely rotted. The succulent stem can be buried in the ground for propagation.
Keep the overwatered succulent on a mesh screen or other strainer until the roots have had two to three days to air dry.
3. Modify the ground
You might not need to entirely alter your succulent if it is already rooted in homemade or commercial succulent soil. Algae (green living matter) typically grows on soil that is too wet. If so, it is your responsibility to remove all of the top soil from the area around your plants and replace it with new succulent soil.
What does a succulent look like when it is overwatered?
How can you tell if your succulent is getting too much water? You can usually determine if a succulent is being overwatered or underwatered by looking for telltale indications. A plant that has received too much water will have soft, mushy leaves.
The leaves would either turn translucent in color or appear lighter than they would on a healthy plant. A succulent that had received too much water would frequently lose leaves readily, even when only lightly handled. Usually, the lowest leaves are the ones to suffer first.
The plant will look to be unhealthy overall. When this occurs, the plant is either being overwatered, sitting in the incorrect soil that does not dry out quickly enough, or both.
Your plants are being overwatered if you have been giving them regular waterings or if you have been following a watering schedule regardless of how the plant appears.
On the other hand, a succulent that has been submerged will have withered, wrinkled, and deflated-looking leaves. The leaves will appear thin and flat. The entire plant will appear withered and dry.
The leaves of a good succulent plant should be thick and solid, not mushy or desiccated.
To learn more about this subject, visit my post titled “How To Tell If Your Succulent is Over or Under Watered,” in which I go into great length about how you may determine whether your succulent plant is being over or under watered.
This String of Pearls ‘Senecio Rowleyanus’ plant leaf is one that has been overwatered. If a succulent’s water storage capacity has been exceeded, it may physically burst from overwatering.
Do succulents need to be submerged in water?
Although the photograph is wonderful (and serves as a fantastic example of water therapy), I would never advise temporarily storing succulents in water. If kept out of direct sunshine and left bare-root, they would do just well.
How can I tell if a succulent is about to die?
A succulent should be simple to care for. But there are a few things to know in order to maintain it healthy. How can you tell whether your succulent is prospering or dying, first?
Generally speaking, the following are typical signs that a succulent is perishing:
- The roots are rotting if the leaves are brown and mushy.
- Pale, yellow leaves are a sign of illness or rot that has spread.
- Dehydrated, wrinkled leaves indicate that the roots are drying up.
- Rot or infection was indicated by brown roots.
These are a few warning indications that your succulent may not be prospering. If you have one or more succulents and are worried that your plant is dying, continue reading to learn how to identify when your plant needs care.