9 Causes for dying succulents

Did you recently buy a really cute succulent and it was doing great at the store, but after a week at home it started to look not so good? It's you're first succulent and you have absolutely no idea what you're doing or what could be wrong. No need to fear because I'm here to help you! Here are a few reasons why your succulent friend might be unhappy:

Reason #1: Overwatering

You brought a new plant home and you want to show it as much care as possible, so your first thought is let me make sure I'm watering it enough. Well although you meant well succulents are used to arid environments. This means that they are used to receiving little to no rain and the soil around them tends to be dry for long periods of time. The best rule of thumb for succulents is to water them when the soil is completely dry. Depending on the season or the humidity in your home, this would mean that you could be watering your succulents anywhere between every two weeks to once a month! With succulents neglect isn't such a bad thing.

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Reason #2: Under watering

So, you're probably thinking "wait I thought I could only over water succulents, but I can underwater them too??". The answer to that is yes. Although the explanation is a lot more simple than you think. This simply means that although you don't want to constantly water your succulent and neglect can be a good thing; do not forget that it is still a plant and they still need water. Again, depending on the season you cant stick to a schedule of watering once every two weeks to once a month. This way you will not forget. If you do forget and your succulent looks a little shriveled, simply water it allowing the soil to absorb as much water as possible.

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Reason #3: Using the wrong soil

Soil plays a very strong role in succulent survival. You don't want a soil that holds water and stays moist for long periods of time. This will lead to root rot which could ultimately be the end of your new plant friend. For succulents you want a soil that drains very well. Something that includes perlite or lava rocks as this will create aeration is the soil allowing it to dry quicker. Succulents store water in their leaves, so it is unnecessary for the soil to hold any excess water.

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Reason #4: No drainage

This goes along with reason #3. Without proper drainage your soil will stay wet for longer periods of time as there is no escape route for the water. I know it's hard to find cute planters with drainage holes, but there are ways around this. One method is buying the cute planter without drainage holes, but placing your plant in a nursery pot that will fit inside the planter. Another method is to simply create the holes in the planter yourself. You can do this with a diamond drill bit if it is a ceramic pot. If it is plastic, then you can use a soldering iron, but please be cautious as to not inhale the fumes.

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Reason #5: The pot is too large or too deep

There are two main reasons for this one. Firstly, with a bigger pot you have to fill it with a lot more soil which means that when you water it-it will take a lot longer for the soil to dry. This could ultimately lead to root rot. Secondly, with too much soil space your succulent will put majority, if not all, of it's energy in growing roots. This could cause the plant to not grow properly, if at all, and eventually die. The planter should only be about one to two inches bigger than the root ball. Succulents root system grow slowly, so don't upgrade too quickly!

Image not mine.

Reason #6: Insufficient lighting

We all know plants need sunlight to survive. Succulents need more sunlight than most other housplants. When succulents do not recieve enough lighting they will begin to grow in a funky way. This is called etiolation, which is basically just a fancy way of saying your succulent is leggy. When this happens your plant is trying to reach for light. So, if you have your succulent in a location with little sunlight then you can expect etiolation to occur. Just move your succulent to a south facing window or place under a good grow light.

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Reason #7: Too much sun

Okay, so succulents need more sun than most houseplant, but it's still possible to give them too much sun. This is partly due to there being some succulents that are more sensitive to full sun and need partial shade. Sempervivum is an example of a more sensitive succulent. Succulents are also more susceptible to burns during the summer season especially if you keep them outside. If you notice burn marks, white or brown spots, or your rosette is closed up then it's time to place/replant them in a shadier area. Other options are using shade cloth for your outdoor succulents and sheer curtains indoors.

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Reason #8: Freezing

This reason is moreso if you keep your succulents outside or if for whatever reason you keep your house like an icebox. There are some succulents that can withstand freezing temperatures, such as all sempervivum and some sedum varieties. During freezing temperatures soft succulents, such as echeverias and crassulas, will not survive. This is due to the sap within the succulent leaves freezing and causing rot. What you can do to avoid this is either bring the succulents indoors or cover them with frost fabric.

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Reason #9: Unrealistic plant choices

This one is a bit more straight foreword. If you're someone who constantly wants to water your plants, then succulents may not be the best choice for you. Also, another thing to keep in mind is being able to offer the proper conditions such as good lighting from a south facing window or a strong enough grow light. If you're going to keep them outside it's a matter of what kind of succulents will withstand the seasons in your area.

Image not mine.

Here is the poster with all the causes!

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