How Often Do You Water Succulents Houseplants?

Updated November 30, 2021 by Mark Marino

Every year, succulents seem to grow in popularity. Why? Well, they are beautiful plants that come in a variety of colors. You can have them outdoors, on your porch, or in your yard, or you can keep them indoors to brighten up your home. They are really easy to take care of- even for a beginner houseplant parent.

One of the most common questions people ask about these is: how often do you water succulents houseplants? As a general rule, they should be watered about every two weeks. If it’s a larger plant, every 3 to 4 weeks will be fine. It’s better to underwater than to overwater.

In this article, we’ll talk about some things you should know about taking care of your succulents.

What Is The Best Pot For Succulents?

First of all, you need to make sure that your succulents are in the proper pot. There are three things to consider when choosing a pot: drainage, material, and size. It can be exciting to choose a planter, but make sure to focus on practicality instead of aesthetics.

What Is The Best Soil For Succulents?

Your next concern should be the soil that you choose. It needs to hold the appropriate amount of water. If it holds too much or too little, it can cause damage to the plant. The best type to get is soil with organic material, such as peat moss. Of course, peat moss tends to dry out quickly, so you’ll want to make sure there’s also ground bark added to the soil mix.

When Should You Water Your Succulents?

The next thing you should focus on is when you should water your succulents. You may be wondering why this should even be thought of because succulents are so low maintenance. However, you still shouldn’t neglect them.

Overwatering can cause the root to rot, killing your plant. Underwatering can cause some minor issues, but they will bounce back once you give them water again (as long as you don’t let them completely die off). Water them until the soil is soaked and then leave them alone until it dries out again.

Also, make sure to only water the soil. Do not leave water sitting on the leaves, as it can cause damage to the plant.

What Is The Best Fertilizer For Succulents?

Many people- especially newbies to the world of succulents- believe that these plants never need to be fertilized. While it’s true that succulents can get most of the nutrients they need from the soil, fertilizer is necessary to help them really thrive.

The fertilizer you use should be water-soluble and low-nitrogen. It’s best if you visit your local garden shop and ask for a cactus or succulent-specific fertilizer. You can fertilize your succulent up to once per month, but once a year is sufficient. The best time to do it is in the Spring, just before the growing season begins.

Do Succulents Need Sun?

Just like all of the other plants, succulents do need to get some sunlight. These plants come from countries that are hot and have long dry periods. This is why they are able to store water. They need to be getting at least 3 hours of sunlight each day and should be placed in a south-facing window. Of course, don’t leave them in the sun too long, as they can get sunburned.

Some will do fine in low light, but you don’t want to keep them in a dark room, as this will result in odd growth because the plant is trying to reach the light it needs to survive and thrive.

Do Succulents Get Pests?

Yes, succulents can be infested with pests. The two most common are mealy bugs and spider mites. Unfortunately, they are so small, it can be hard to get rid of them because once you notice them, you likely have an infestation. This is why you need to take time to inspect your plants every now and then.

When Should You Repot Succulents?

As we have mentioned a few times now, succulents are very low maintenance plants, but you will need to repot them about once every other year. Keep in mind that usually they are planted in small pots because they enjoy being cozy- but when they start growing, this can be restrictive. If you notice that the roots are growing out of the drainage holes or the plant is toppling over the top of the pot, it’s time to move it to a new one.

On average, every other year should be sufficient. This allows them room to grow and also allows you a chance to refresh the soil and fertilizer. Repotting should take place during the growing season (spring and/or summer) because you have a decreased chance of causing damage to your plant.

When you do repot your succulents houseplants, you’ll want to make sure you only go up one size.

General Care And Cleaning Tips For Succulents

Just like everything else in your home, succulents will gather dust if you don’t give them some TLC on a regular basis. Make sure that you’re taking the time to wipe the dust and dirt off of them from time to time. You’ll also want to make sure there’s no other residue on them.

While it is true that succulent houseplants are low-maintenance, there are still things that you need to be doing for them. Taking the time to inspect them for pests, checking their soil, and making sure that you are watering when needed are three of the top tasks for caring for your succulents.