How to Water Succulents

Watering succulents is the most important aspect of care, especially when you’re first starting out. Using the right watering methods is key to keeping your succulents happy and healthy.

A drainage hole is essential for healthy succulents.

Use A Drainage Hole And Well-Draining Soil

These watering instructions assume that you have a drainage hole in your pot and well-draining soil. If you don’t have a drainage hole and well-draining soil, it doesn’t matter how careful you are about watering; your plants will eventually die because the soil won’t dry out completely. Succulents do not like to sit in wet soil, and without a drainage hole, you’ll end up with wet soil around the roots that won’t dry out.

Provide water until it begins to flow out of the drainage hole.

Soak Thoroughly

The arid environments where succulents naturally grow don’t get rain very often, but when it does rain, it pours. Keep this in mind when watering your succulents. When you water succulents in containers, pour water on the arrangement in a slow, steady stream until the soil is fully saturated and water begins to flow out the bottom (this is why a drainage hole is so important). This will provide plenty of water for the roots to absorb.

A small spout can fit between plants.

Allow To Dry

After soaking, allow the soil to dry out. When the soil has been dry for a couple days, give the succulents another soak. Having plenty of water allows the succulents to put out strong roots and soak up a lot of water to fill the leaves. They continue to grow during the period of “drought” with the water they’ve stored. When watered again, the plant knows it’s going to be a while before more water comes and soaks up as much as it can. This is a healthy cycle that keeps the roots and plant plump and healthy.

Watering stones provide a spot to water.

Where To Water

A tight succulent arrangement can be difficult to water without getting too much water on the leaves. Watering the rosette of a succulent should be avoided if possible. Often water will pool in crevices on or around the leaves and cause the leaf to rot. Standing water also invites bugs to make a home in your plant. Whenever possible, water the soil around the succulent, not on top of the plant. If possible, find a watering can with a small spout. Use this to water between your plants rather than on top of them.

You can also place a watering stone in each of your arrangements. A watering stone can be any rock you like. Simply pour water on the stone and let it run off onto other areas of the container. Using a watering stone also prevents the soil or top dressing from being disturbed during watering.

misting

Many people suggest misting succulents with water. While this works on a short-term basis, it doesn’t promote good root growth. Misting can work well to keep a temporary arrangement looking fresh longer, but isn’t recommended for arrangements you intend to keep a long time.