1. Light: How much is too much?

Succulents thrive on light, but finding the perfect balance is crucial.

How to Care for Succulents Indoors:

Place your indoor succulents near a window where they’ll get 6-8 hours of bright, indirect sunlight. If your home lacks sufficient natural light, purchase a grow light, such as an LED grow bulb, to mimic their preferred conditions.

Signs of insufficient light:

• Stretching: Stems grow long, and leaves space out as the plant reaches for light.
• Pale or discolored leaves: Vibrant greens and purples may fade.

In my experience, a grow light saved my echeveria from an overly shaded room. With just a few weeks under the additional light, and its rosette shape returned back to normal.

How to Care for Succulents Outdoors:

Outdoor succulents generally need 4-6 hours of direct morning sunlight but benefit from afternoon shade in hot climates. Gradually change where it sits to avoid sunburn, especially if transitioning from being indoors.

Pro Tip: Use a shade cloth for sensitive varieties like haworthias or gasterias to prevent scorching in high summer heat.

2. Watering: Less Is More

Watering succulents can be very complicated—too much, and they rot; too little, and they shrivel up.

Indoor Watering

Water in small amounts, usually every 2-3 weeks. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings, and always use a pot with drainage holes.

Outdoor Watering

Outdoor succulents dry out faster and may need weekly watering in summer. For in-ground succulents, water deeply but less frequently, allowing the soil to dry completely between sessions.

Personal Tip: I use a moisture meter to avoid overwatering. When I started using one, it prevented me from drowning my aloe succulents, which I had previously watered on a schedule instead of by the soils condition.

Saving Overwatered Succulents

Overwatering is a very common mistake to make while taking care of succulents. If your succulent’s leaves are soft, mushy, or falling off easily, it’s likely overwatered. You might also notice yellowing or translucent leaves, black or brown spots, or even a musty smell from the roots, which indicates rot. Even with all of these signs there is still ways to fix this.

1. Remove the plant from the pot.
2. Trim the rotted roots.
3. Let the plant dry for 1-2 days.
4. Repot in fresh soil.

3. Soil: Choose a Well-Draining Mix

Succulents require well-draining soil to thrive.

Best Soil for Succulents

• Use a pre-made cactus/succulent mix.
• DIY option: Combine 2 parts potting soil, 1 part coarse sand, and 1 part perlite or pumice.

Avoid heavy garden soil or regular potting soil alone, as these retain too much moisture. The roots rotted on one of my plants because of this mistake, make sure to invest in proper soil to keep your plants alive.

Pot Selection

Always choose a pot with a drainage hole. Terracotta pots are ideal because they allow water to evaporate, reducing the risk of overwatering.

4. Temperature: Keep It Cozy

Succulents are happiest in temperatures between 60–80°F (15–27°C).

Indoor Care

Keep plants away from cold drafts in winter or hot, dry air from heaters. Humidity should stay below 50%.

Outdoor Care

Bring outdoor succulents inside when temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C). Frost can damage or kill most varieties.

Pro Tip: For cold climates, consider cold-hardy succulents like sedums or sempervivums, which can tolerate snow and freezing temperatures.

5. Fertilizing: Feed Them Sparingly

Succulents don’t need heavy feeding. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half its strength during spring and summer – their active growing season.

My Routine: I fertilize every two months during growth periods and skip entirely during winter. This method keeps my succulents vibrant without encouraging weak, leggy growth.

6. Pest Management

Common succulent pests include mealybugs and spider mites. Inspect your plants regularly, especially under leaves. If you notice pests, dab the affected area with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol.

When I discovered mealybugs on my jade plant, isolating the plant and using the rubbing alcohol method resolved the issue within a week.

7. Repotting: When and How to Do It

Repot your succulents every 1-2 years, or when you notice roots poking through the drainage holes. This gives them fresh soil and more room to grow. Handle the roots gently, and water the plant a few days after repotting.