How to Care for Succulents: Light, Water and Soil

How often to water succulents, why succulents die and how to fix it, plus care notes for the most popular types.

By , founder of Palma, 25+ years growing plants
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Assorted echeveria and other succulents in small pots

At a glance

Water most indoor succulents every 1 to 3 weeks in spring and summer and every 3 to 6 weeks in winter, but only when the soil is dry all the way down. Soak the pot until water runs out the drainage hole, then let it dry again. Succulents store water in their leaves and stems, so they handle dry spells well. Almost every succulent that dies indoors dies the same way: too much water, too little light, or soil that never dries out.

This guide covers the rules that work for most succulents, a watering schedule, a symptom table for a struggling plant, and short notes on the most popular types.

The Four Rules That Cover Most Succulents

  1. Give them bright light. A south or west window is best. Succulents stretch and go pale in dim light.
  2. Water deeply, then wait for the soil to dry. Soak the pot until water runs out the bottom, then wait until the soil is dry all the way down before watering again.
  3. Use fast-draining soil. A cactus or succulent mix, or regular potting mix with added perlite or pumice. Never use a heavy mix that holds water.
  4. Use a pot with a drainage hole. Water that sits at the bottom rots the roots.

Succulent Care Table

Factor Typical range Notes
Light Bright, direct or near-direct sun Indoors, place within a few feet of a south or west window
Water Every 1 to 3 weeks in spring and summer, depending on pot and light Check the soil. Do not water on a schedule
Water in winter Every 3 to 6 weeks, or less Growth slows. Most succulents need far less
Soil Fast-draining cactus or succulent mix Add perlite or pumice if the mix is dense
Temperature Most stay above about 50°F Keep away from cold drafts and window glass
Humidity Average home air is fine Very humid rooms can cause rot
Pot Drainage hole, one size up when repotting Repot every two to three years or when roots fill the pot

How Often to Water Succulents

There is no fixed schedule, because how fast the soil dries depends on light, pot, and season. Use the table as a starting point, then let the soil decide.

Situation Typical interval Why
Spring and summer, bright window Every 1 to 2 weeks The plant is growing and the soil dries quickly
Spring and summer, lower light Every 2 to 3 weeks Less light means slower drying and less water used
Late autumn to late winter Every 3 to 6 weeks, or less Growth slows with short days. Water only enough to stop the leaves from shriveling
Terracotta pot Check more often Unglazed clay dries faster than plastic or glazed pots
No drainage hole Repot instead Water collects at the bottom and rots the roots

How to Check Whether a Succulent Needs Water

Push a finger or a wooden chopstick about an inch into the soil. If it comes out dry, water. If it comes out damp, wait. Lift the pot too: a dry pot is noticeably lighter.

Leaves that look wrinkled or soft are a sign of thirst in most succulents, but not always. Check the soil before you water.

How to Water

Water at the soil, not over the leaves or into the center of a rosette. Keep going until water flows out of the drainage hole, then empty the saucer after a few minutes. Small, frequent sips are worse than one deep soak: they keep the top of the soil damp while the roots below stay dry.

Why Is My Succulent Dying?

Most struggling succulents are overwatered. Match what you see to the table, then fix the cause before you water again. For other houseplants, see our guide to why houseplants die.

What you see Likely cause What to do
Soft, mushy, see-through, or black leaves at the base Overwatering and root rot Stop watering. Unpot the plant, cut away soft or dark roots and stems, let it dry for a few days, and repot in dry, fast-draining mix
Yellow leaves that feel soft Too much water, often with poor drainage Let the soil dry completely and check the pot has a working drainage hole
Wrinkled, thin, or deflated leaves on dry soil Underwatering Soak the pot thoroughly. Leaves usually plump up within a few days
Tall, leaning, pale growth with gaps between leaves Too little light Move to the brightest window you have or add a grow light. Stretched stems will not shrink, but you can cut and replant the top
White, tan, or brown patches on the sunny side Sunburn after a sudden move into strong sun Move back a little and increase light gradually. Marked leaves will not recover, but new growth will be clean
Lower leaves drying up one at a time Usually normal ageing Nothing, if the top of the plant stays firm. Pull off the dry leaves

If the stem is soft all the way through, save what you can: cut off a healthy top or a few firm leaves and root them as described below.

Common Mistakes

  • Overwatering. The most common cause of loss. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
  • Too little light. The plant stretches, leans, and loses its compact shape.
  • Cold, wet winters. Many succulents rot when the soil stays wet and the air is cool. Water less from late autumn to early spring.
  • Repotting into a big pot. Extra soil holds water the roots cannot use.

How Big Do Succulents Get?

It depends on the type. Haworthia, lithops, and most echeverias stay small, often under 6 inches across indoors. A jade plant can become a shrub several feet tall over many years. String of pearls grows long trailing strands rather than height. If you want a plant to stay small, keep it in a snug pot and repot only when roots fill it.

The Most Popular Succulents

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

Jade plant (Crassula ovata) in a 4-inch nursery pot

One of the most popular succulents, with thick, glossy leaves on woody stems. Give it bright light and let the soil dry fully between waterings. In winter, water sparingly. Jade plants can grow large over time, so repot only when roots fill the pot.

String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

String of pearls trailing succulent in a nursery pot

Trailing strands of round, bead-like leaves. Give it bright light and water when the beads start to look slightly shriveled. Do not let the pearls sit in wet soil. A hanging pot shows the strands best.

Echeveria

Rosette-shaped succulents in many colors. Give them full sun to bright light and let the soil dry out fully. Water at the soil, not in the center of the rosette, to avoid rot.

Lithops (Living Stones)

Boutique small lithops living stones mix

Small, split-leaf plants that look like stones. They need full sun and very little water. Each year a new pair of leaves grows inside the old pair. While that happens, hold off watering until the old leaves have shriveled. Overwatering is the most common cause of loss.

Zebra Plant (Haworthiopsis fasciata)

A compact plant with striped leaves. It tolerates bright indirect light better than many succulents. Water when the soil is dry, and less in winter.

Haworthia

Succulent haworthia savanna in a pot

Small, compact rosettes that tolerate lower light than most succulents. Give bright indirect light and water when the soil is dry. Keep the crown dry.

Sedum

A large group of trailing and upright succulents. Give them bright light and water when the soil dries. Many sedums tolerate cold better than the other succulents here, but still keep them above freezing.

Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)

A woody succulent with thorns and bright flowers. It needs bright light and water only when the soil is fully dry. The thorns and sap make it a plant to handle with care.

Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra)

A woody succulent with tiny round leaves, often trained as a bonsai. Give it bright light and water when the soil is dry. It can drop leaves when stressed by overwatering or too little light.

Monkey Tail Cactus (Hildewintera colademononis)

A cactus with long, soft stems. Give it bright light and water when the soil is dry. In winter, keep it cooler and drier.

Growing Succulents From Cuttings and Leaves

Succulent cuttings and single leaves need a few days to a week to dry and form a callus before you plant them. Set the cutting or leaf on dry, fast-draining soil, wait until the cut end is dry, then water lightly once roots appear. Overwatering a fresh cutting is the usual reason it rots.

Winter Care

Most succulents slow down in winter. Keep them in the brightest spot you have, water only enough to stop the leaves from shriveling, and keep them away from cold window glass and drafts. If nights drop below about 50°F, bring the plant inside or move it away from the cold. Skip fertilizer until spring.

Succulent Care FAQ

How often should I water succulents?

Every 1 to 3 weeks in spring and summer and every 3 to 6 weeks in winter is typical indoors, but water only when the soil is dry all the way down. Pot, light, and season change the interval.

Why is my succulent dying?

Usually overwatering. Soft, mushy, or see-through leaves mean rot. Wrinkled leaves on dry soil mean thirst. Tall, pale growth means too little light. See the symptom table above for the fix.

How big do succulents get?

Most small indoor types, such as haworthia, lithops, and echeveria, stay under about 6 inches across. Jade plants can reach several feet over many years.

Where to Start

For a first succulent, choose one of the types above that matches your light. A south or west window suits most of them. Start with one plant, learn how fast its soil dries, and water from there.

Browse our succulents and hoya collection for plants in this guide.

Sources

Related plant care guides

About the author: Nick Alan is the founder of Palma and has more than 25 years of experience growing plants.

Written by

Nick Alan

Nick Alan is the founder of Palma and has grown plants for 25+ years. He writes the shop's care guides and built the watering, soil and light tools.

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