Succulents, even if you have a green thumb, are not always easy to preserve. It happens frequently that customers come to see me in my store to know why they can't keep their succulents alive. In order to help you identify the problem, I have taken inspiration from a very interesting article* from one of our suppliers that I am sharing with you, in order to help you give your plants the proper care and allow you to enjoy the succulents you have always dreamed of!
1. TOO MUCH WATERING
Succulents do not need to be watered as much as other plants in your home, quite the contrary. As they are in the same family as cacti, the soil should be kept cool and moist to the touch, but no more. It should not become muddy or waterlogged. Instead of the usual watering, we choose to spray the soil of our succulents for best results.
2. TOO SMALL POT
Found a cute teacup or flower pot for your succulents? It's certainly pretty, but it's unlikely to provide enough root space for the plant to grow sufficiently. The pot should be at least two (2) times the depth of the roots and at least three (3) times their width. This will ensure that your succulents have a playground to wonder and grow healthy.
3. THE CONTAINER DOES NOT ALLOW DRAINAGE
We sometimes use different containers to grow our plants : cups, decorative pots, boxes, etc. Unfortunately, in the case of succulents, this does not allow for adequate drainage and too often precipitates their end of life. Your pot should contain several drainage holes to allow extra water to drain properly. If the pot does not have holes, it is essential to put gravel in the bottom of the pot, which creates a drainage system. Remember, however, that you should not overwater the succulents, as the excess water will not drain away.
4. YOUR SUCCULENTS LACK HEAT
Your succulents love heat. They do not like to be placed near a window or in a room where it is cold. Instead, keep them in a room where the temperature is mild and stable (succulents will not survive if the temperature changes constantly).
5. YOUR SUCCULENTS ARE TOO CROWDED TOGETHER
Allow your succulents to grow and naturally fill the space between them if you place more than one in the same pot. Preferably, there should be several inches between each one. This will allow them to grow to their full potential.
6. SOIL DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH NUTRIENTS
Succulents love nutrient rich soil. When purchasing, transplant them into an organic mix suitable for cacti and succulents. Ask your florist or your local garden center to find the right mix.
7. TRANSPLANTING IS ESSENTIAL
If your succulents have been in a pot for several months and seem to be thriving, this is a very good sign. You should then transplant them to a larger pot. This will give them more room to grow and they won't be choked by their roots. This is also a great opportunity to separate a few sections of the mother plant and regrow new shoots in another pot.
You now have all the tips & tricks you need to watch your succulents grow in perfect health!
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*Free translation from Hofland http://www.hofland.com/7-reasons-your-succulents-are-dying/
