Why do your succulents keep dying

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I am a part of a few different plant groups on facebook. I hear people say all the time they can't keep succulents alive. They constantly kill them. Succulents and cacti are suppose to be an easy plant to care for, but you have to understand their needs. The number one reason I see for succulents dying is over watering.

Over watering and under watering 

Succulents thrive on neglect. They need a well draining soil to prevent root rot and keep them healthy. They also do not like to be watered often. During the winter they will be happy with only being watered once a month. Some succulents can go longer than once a month without being watered. Watch your succulents for signs that they need watered. Curled leaves and wrinkles are a good sign that succulents need water. You can also do the bend test if the leaves bend like a taco they need water, if they don't you can't you should wait longer to water. Succulents store water in their leaves. When succulents are over watered their leaves will look translucent. When the leaves are translucent your succulent is already dying and may already be to far gone. On the other hand under watering succulents can kill them as well. Although it is less common cause of succulents dying. If the leaves are wrinkled give it a thorough drink of water.

Soil and drainage

Soil is another common reason that succulents die. Succulents need a well draining soil. If they are not in a well draining potting soil the soil will hold to much moisture. I use a gritty soil for my succulent. I use a mixture of 2:1 chicken to soil. This mixture will not hold extra moisture. Perlite or pumice can also be used instead of chicken grit. If you have a tendency to over water you will definitely want to add chicken grit, pumice, or perlite to the soil. Soil that holds on to moisture will cause root rot. If your succulent gets root rot there is a chance you can save it by beheading. Along with proper storage succulents need proper drainage. Make sure the pot your succulents are in has drainage hole and isn't too large for your succulent. Succulents need a pot that isn't much bigger than their root ball. If they are over potted the soil will stay to wet. Soil that stays wet will cause root rot. If your succulent has root rot you may be able to save it. Check my blog for the post on how to behead succulents. 

Light

Succulents need a lot of light. Succulents that do not receive the light that they need will be come etiolated also known as stretching. If they continue to etiolate their stem will collapse and they will not be able to receive the water they need to survive. Too much sun can also kill succulents. Not all succulents want or like to be placed in the sunniest location all day long. Some need partial shade or full shade to grow properly. Succulents become sun burned when they receive too much sun. The damage done to their leaves will not go away. Badly sunburned leaves will not be able to store water or properly receive light they need in order to survive. If to many of the leaves are sunburned the plant will die. Full sun succulents or succulents that have been inside for the winter will need to be acclimated to receiving more light in order to prevent sunburn. 

Frost and freezing

Most succulents are not winter hardy and will need to be moved inside or into a green house enclosure to prevent them from dying. Winter hardy succulents do better being left outside. Make sure you know what kind of succulents you own before deciding where they will be placed during the winter months. Also make sure you know what zone you live in and what succulents thrive in your zone. 

With a little bit of research and some neglect succulents can make the perfect houseplant. Make sure to not over water and plant them in a pot that isn't too large with well draining soil. There are a lot of succulents out there, some harder to care for than others. Start with some easy to care for succulents and get to know them and their needs before buying more.