When To Feed Succulents

The optimum seasons to fertilize succulents are in the spring when daytime temperatures are consistently over 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and in the fall just before a storm. To encourage quicker growth, growers fertilize their plants more frequently.

How frequently do I need to feed my succulents?

You might be asking how frequently to fertilize succulents now that you are aware of a fantastic fertilizer. Succulents can be fertilized as frequently as once per month, especially if you use manure tea, although they typically only need one spring fertilization per year.

Many succulents are starting to grow now, so they are prepared to benefit from the additional nutrients. I would suggest fertilizing in the fall if you have largely succulents that thrive in the winter.

Avoid slow-release fertilizers if you choose to use something other than manure tea for your succulents. These are incredibly strong and frequently burn succulents instead of promoting growth. I advise applying a water-soluble fertilizer that has been diluted to half the suggested concentration.

Do succulents require feeding?

Succulents have thick, fleshy stems and leaves that serve as reservoirs for nutrients and moisture. Because of this trait, plants may survive in arid climates. Compared to other types of houseplants, potted succulents frequently require less watering and fertilizer, but because irrigation flushes the nutrients out of the soil, they still need periodic feeding. A surplus of fertilizer, particularly high-nitrogen mixtures, exacerbates leaf and root rot issues. Using the proper blend and avoiding overfeeding are essential for maintaining the health of the succulents.

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.

When should I fertilize my succulents in pots?

The optimum seasons to fertilize succulents are in the spring when daytime temperatures are consistently over 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and in the fall just before a storm. It is not really important. If you do, they’ll probably grow bigger and faster, but it might not be what you want.

Why do succulents grow more quickly?

The most crucial component of soil for succulents is sufficient drainage. To solve this problem and make it easier for water to pass through, it is usual practice to add some chunkier material to the soil mixture. The roots won’t be able to absorb water if the soil doesn’t drain correctly since it will retain it “breathe. Over time, that stress will have an impact on the entire plant, causing it to slow its growth in order to conserve energy for survival. The succulent will flourish in soil that permits appropriate root expansion and in a container with several draining holes at the bottom.

For your succulent to grow more quickly, the soil must be rich in nutrients in addition to being well-draining. Maintaining a consistent watering regimen will benefit the plant. As soon as the soil is dry, add water. Succulents don’t like “wet shoes. Additionally, they are largely desert plants, but owing to the drought, you don’t need them to survive. You can also add additional fertilizer to speed up the growth process. Your succulent will become extra healthy as a result of the fertilizer, and it will have enough energy to concentrate on growth rather than spreading out the roots. Just be careful that the fertilizer isn’t overly potent because that could burn the delicate succulents beyond repair.

Which fertilizer is ideal for succulents?

The NPK ratio of Espoma’s organic indoor plant food is 2-2-2, indicating that it has a well-balanced combination of macronutrients to benefit a range of houseplants. It’s built with natural components, making it a fantastic option for organic gardening. For novices who have a tendency to overfertilize plants, this product is a great choice because the macronutrient ratios are very low.

Apply this Espoma product to the soil of the plant by combining 2 teaspoons of the liquid fertilizer with 1 quart of water. The manufacturer advises applying it every two to four weeks.

  • Liquid kind
  • Approximately 8 ounces
  • Ratio of NPK: 2-2-2
  • balanced 2-2-2 pattern
  • appropriate for all indoor plants
  • inexpensive price
  • Only one size is offered.

Do tea bags work well with succulents?

Teabags

Succulents are permitted to drink tea! 5 gallons of water should be used to soak a tea bag for 24 to 36 hours, or until the solution develops a golden-brown hue. When your succulent needs a drink and is dry, you can use this water in place of tap water.

Succulents enjoy Miracle Gro, right?

All succulents require sunshine, permeable soil. By combining one part Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Cactus, Palm & Citrus with one part native soil, the planting area can be improved. Succulent plants will benefit from the increased soil nutrients and density.

Do my succulents need to be misted?

When I first learned about succulents, I was fascinated by the notion that they couldn’t die. They were frequently referred to as very low maintenance plants that adored being neglected. That sounds fairly simple, hmm.

To add to my bewilderment, I frequently heard the word “succulent” used in the same sentence as the word “cactus.” We won’t get into it here because there is a really fantastic essay on this site that explains the link between cacti and succulents, but a widespread misconception regarding cacti is that they never require water. Because I believed succulents required little to no water, I occasionally misted them rather than watering them. They love to be ignored, right? They require little upkeep, right? Well, I hate to ruin the surprise, but my succulents barely made it through this abuse.

The scoop about misting and watering is as follows:

*Water: After the dirt has dried, drown your succulents in water. Put them in water until the bottom of the pot is filled with water. If you have a catch pan, remove any water that has accumulated there. The best kind of pots are unglazed, porous ones with drainage holes (think terracotta pots). Your succulents will appreciate that they allow them to breathe.

*Low Maintenance: Succulents grow in nature with shallow roots that quickly absorb water and store it in their leaves, stems, and roots for periods of drought. Succulents are considered low maintenance because of this. They are designed to hold water for extended periods of time, so you don’t need to water them as frequently as some plants, like every other day. They won’t wither and die while you’re away, so you may travel with confidence. Just remember to give them a good drink when you do water them!

*Water Type: Rainwater or distilled water are the ideal water types to utilize. Numerous minerals in tap water can accumulate in the soil and even appear on plant leaves.

*Watering Frequency: A number of factors determine how frequently you water (climate, season, humidity, pot size, pot type, drainage etc). The best general rule is to wait until the soil has dried before watering it again. The roots may decay if the soil isn’t given a chance to dry up or if water is left in the catch pan. You can stick your finger into the ground and feel around to determine the amount of moisture in the soil, or you can use a moisture meter (commonly sold in gardening centers or online and relatively inexpensive).

Leave the misting to the babies, please! Actually, fully developed succulents dislike being misted. Because they prefer dry environments, misting them will alter the humidity in the area around the plant. Additionally, this might cause decay. To gently hydrate your propagation babies’ tiny, sensitive roots, spray them.

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.

Do succulents need to be in the sun directly?

1. Ensure that your succulents receive adequate light. Depending on the type, succulents need six hours of sunlight each day because they are light-loving plants. You might need to gradually expose newly planted succulents to full sun exposure or give shade with a translucent screen because they can burn in direct sunshine.

Succulents require fertilization during the winter.

At the conclusion of the summer, give the succulents one more feeding. Because they don’t require fertilizer in the winter, succulents are the reason for this. Only when they are actively growing do succulents require diluted fertilizer. Stop feeding when the plants become dormant and stop growing for the year, which happens when the temperatures and light levels decline. Succulents with excessive fertilizer grow soft, rotten-prone leaves.