Succulents differ from other plants by storing water in their fleshy leaves and are therefore well adapted to dry climates where they can go extended periods without being watered. This unique feature makes succulents suitable for drought conditions as their water reserves allow them to survive longer without needing to drink regularly.
Still, they require watering on occasion--once or twice per week in summer and once every month during winter--so it is important to know when your succulent needs to be watered. The key is knowing when and how often.
Watering Schedule
Succulents are naturally drought-tolerant plants, but it's important to track when and how often you watered to ensure they receive sufficient hydration. Overwatering may cause root rot which is devastatingly fatal for succulents.
Succulents need to be watered at least every two weeks; this frequency may depend on climate and size of container. Before watering, check soil moisture levels before applying water; note that smaller containers require more frequent irrigation because they hold less moisture.
Water your succulents evenly and deeply when watering, so as to prevent overwatering and promote strong root development. For best results, water them early morning so that their photosynthesizing process has enough time before dark; this way you avoid harsh UV rays of the sun that might otherwise damage their delicate roots. When dormancy sets in, reduce watering frequency to once every month or more frequently.
Watering Method
Succulents should be watered when their potting soil feels completely dry to the touch. You can measure moisture with either a soil moisture meter or by sticking a chopstick into their soil - without breaking roots; pushing through with ease!
Succulents are desert plants, so their rainfall in their native environments tends to be limited. When rain does come, however, it tends to come down heavily, flooding the ground with moisture that the succulent's roots absorb before transporting to its leaves for storage - this process allows succulents to protect themselves against drought conditions by stockpiling moisture reserves for future drought periods.
In order to mimic this technique in the containers of succulents, when watering it should drench all areas of their containers at once. This method also prevents overwatering which may lead to wrinkled leaves and slower growth.
Watering Time
As a general guideline, watering succulents every other week during non-winter months is recommended, though this can vary depending on climate and soil type. When in doubt about when or if it's time to water, feel the soil - it should feel dry - then pour a generous dose into the soil, taking care not to get any on the leaves as this could cause them to rot quickly if moisture remains stagnant for too long. Indoor succulents especially need regular irrigation so water doesn't collect on their leaves where it can cause them rot rot problems over time if water remains standing still for too long, leading them into their roots causing them to die or die completely.
Temperature also has an effect, as you should water succulents more frequently during warmer weather as their leaves use up moisture stored there more rapidly. Be wary, however, as overwatering is a common mistake that leads to root and stem rot, as well as discolored or killed leaves on succulents.
Watering Tip
Succulents are designed to store water, helping them thrive in hot and dry conditions. Their roots, leaves and stems all contain this ability for water storage. As a result, succulents need more frequent watering than other houseplants; frequency depends on several factors. Full sun requires more frequent irrigation than part shade due to experiencing dryness sooner in each timeframe; pots made of porous materials (terra cotta or unglazed clay containers) also need frequent attention from watering services than plastic or glazed containers.
For optimal growth of succulents, when watering, use a watering can with a nozzle that allows you to direct the flow evenly across all soil surfaces without flooding individual leaves with too much moisture. This will prevent overwatering while still giving your plant enough water for healthy development.
