To grow healthy succulents, mimic the conditions they would experience in their native environments. During spring and summer—the growing season for most succulents—keep the soil moist but not wet. It's better to let the soil become slightly dry between watering than it is to overwater. During winter, when succulent plants are normally dormant, water less frequently. Keep the soil on the dry side, but don't let it dry out completely.
Fertilization should be fairly minimal with succulent plants, and it might not be necessary at all. This depends largely on the type of succulent you are growing. If feeding is called for, do so only during the active growing season using a diluted liquid fertilizer designed for succulents.
Although virtually all succulents do well in hot, dry conditions, that doesn't mean they thrive in direct sun all day. Many succulents do best when they are in direct sun for only a few hours a day, and they might need protection from being scorched in the strong mid-day sun. If your succulents came from a nursery where they didn't get much sun, it's best to gradually expose them to increasingly longer periods of direct sunlight.
Pruning and Repotting
In general, succulents are slow growers. But eventually, your succulent container will begin to look crowded and untidy. That's when you need to prune and report.
Always be on the lookout for lower leaves of your succulents that have naturally dried up and died. Remove these leaves by gently twisting them off the stem to prevent them from littering the soil and causing it to retain excess moisture.
Succulents that have become too tall or leggy require a more severe pruning: chopping off the terminal head. This practice is also known as beheading. The best time to do this for most succulents is in the spring when they are coming out of dormancy. Snip off the top portion of your succulent, leaving at least 1 or 2 inches of stem that can be planted once you remove the leaves. The remaining bottom portion of the plant will continue to grow, so you can leave it in place if you'd like.
Furthermore, if the succulents in your container have grown too big but they're not suitable for pruning, you can gently dig them up and repot them into a larger container. Follow the same method you did when initially planting your container and jostle the succulent leaves and roots as little as possible.
- Do succulents do well in containers?
Succulents can thrive in containers thanks to their generally compact size and hardiness. But they must have a container with drainage holes, as well as well-draining soil.
- What kind of container is best for succulents?
Unglazed clay is an optimal material for potting succulents. The walls will allow excess soil moisture to evaporate through them. The container also should have sufficient drainage holes.
- Do succulents prefer shallow or deep pots?
Most succulents don’t need a deep pot, but be sure to check the individual growing requirements and mature size of your succulent species. A pot that is too deep can lead to soggy soil and root rot.
