Succulent SOS: Diagnosing and Treating Common Problems

Are your once plump and vibrant succulents looking a little worse for wear? Don’t despair!

Succulents are resilient plants, but even the best-intentioned caretakers can run into problems.

This guide will help you diagnose and treat some of the most common issues faced by succulent lovers.

Photo by Yen Vu on Unsplash

Signs and Symptoms

• Stretched and Leggy Growth: This indicates a lack of sunlight. Succulents crave sunshine! Their growth stretches as they desperately reach for the light source.
• Wrinkly Leaves: This can be caused by underwatering or excessive heat. Underwatered succulents will appear deflated, with wrinkling starting on the lower leaves and progressing upwards. On the other hand, heat stress can also cause wrinkling, often accompanied by a slightly discolored appearance.
• Mushy or Soft Leaves: This is a sign of overwatering or rot. Overwatering suffocates the roots, hindering their ability to take up water. This leads to a mushy texture in the leaves. In severe cases, the mushiness can spread, causing the succulent to rot.
• Discoloration: The color of your succulent can reveal a lot about its health. Yellowing leaves often point to overwatering. As the succulent struggles to absorb excess water, chlorophyll production is disrupted, leading to yellowing. Conversely, reddish or brownish hues might indicate sunburn. Too much direct sun, especially during the harsh midday hours, can scorch the leaves.
• Pests: Mealybugs, aphids, and scales are common succulent foes. Look for white, fuzzy clusters or tiny insects on the leaves and stems. These pests suck the sap out of your succulent, weakening it and leaving behind sticky residue.

Treatment Time: Solutions for Common Ailments

• Overwatering: Stop watering immediately! Allow the soil to dry completely before watering again. Overwatering is a death sentence for succulents. The key is to let the soil dry out completely between waterings, allowing the roots to breathe. Consider using a pot with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. A pot without drainage forces water to pool around the roots, creating a perfect environment for rot.
• Underwatering: Water thoroughly when the soil is dry to the touch. Deep watering encourages roots to grow deep, seeking moisture. Underwatered succulents will appear deflated and wrinkled, but unlike those suffering from overwatering, the leaves will feel slightly crisp, not mushy.
• Lack of Sunlight: Move your succulent to a brighter location. South-facing windows are ideal in most climates. Succulents are desert dwellers at heart and crave sunshine for optimal growth. Without sufficient light, they will become stretched and leggy, with increased space between leaves.
• Sunburn: Provide shade during the hottest part of the day, especially for newly acquired succulents. Sunburn manifests as reddish or brownish discoloration on the leaves, often accompanied by dry, crispy patches. While established succulents can tolerate some direct sun, younger plants or those not acclimated need protection during peak sun hours.
• Rot: Remove rotten parts with a sterilized knife. Repot the succulent in fresh, well-draining soil. Ensure proper drainage and avoid overwatering in the future. Rot spreads quickly, so immediate action is crucial. Carefully remove all rotten portions of the succulent using a sharp, sterile knife. Repot the remaining healthy part in a fresh pot with a well-draining succulent mix. Remember, prevention is key! Avoid overwatering and ensure proper drainage to prevent rot from taking hold in the first place.
• Pests: Isolate the infected succulent and treat it with insecticidal soap or neem oil solution. Spray thoroughly, following the product instructions. Mealybugs, aphids, and scales can wreak havoc on your succulent collection. If you notice any signs of infestation, isolate the affected plant to prevent the pests from spreading. Treat the succulent with insecticidal soap or neem oil solution, following the application instructions carefully. Be sure to coat all surfaces of the plant, paying particular attention to nooks and crannies where pests like to hide.

Preventative Care: Keeping Your Succulents Thriving

• Proper Drainage: Ensure your pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Consider using a succulent-specific potting mix for optimal drainage. Succulent roots need good aeration to avoid rot. Drainage holes allow excess water to escape, preventing the soil from becoming waterlogged. Using a well-draining succulent mix further promotes aeration and prevents water from pooling around the roots.
• Watering Wisely: Water deeply when the soil is dry, but avoid frequent shallow watering. Deep watering encourages the roots to grow down and establish a strong root system, making the succulent more resilient to stress. Frequent shallow watering only wets the top layer of the soil, leaving the roots lower down dry, and thirsty.
• Provide adequate sunlight: Most succulents thrive on at least 6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight per day. South-facing windows are ideal in most climates. However, be mindful of the intensity of the sun, especially during the hottest part of the day. Younger plants or those not acclimated might need protection from direct midday sun to prevent sunburn.

Feeding Frenzy (or Not):

• Fertilize sparingly: Succulents are not heavy feeders. Overfertilizing can damage the roots and hinder growth. If you do choose to fertilize, use a diluted succulent-specific fertilizer during the growing season (usually spring and summer) and follow the product instructions carefully.

Potting Up for Success:

• Repot when necessary: As your succulent grows, it will eventually outgrow its current pot. Repot when the roots start to outgrow the container or the plant becomes unstable. Choose a pot that is only slightly larger than the root ball to avoid creating an environment that retains too much moisture. Repotting in fresh, well-draining soil is crucial to maintain healthy growth.

Photo by Sheelah Brennan on Unsplash

Beheading and Offsetting:

• Propagation through beheading: This technique allows you to rejuvenate a leggy succulent and create new plants. Simply behead the succulent just above a healthy set of leaves. Allow the cut end to callous over for a few days before planting it in well-draining soil. The remaining stem will often sprout new growth, creating a fuller plant.
• Propagation through offsets: Many succulents produce offsets, or “pups,” at the base of the mother plant. These offsets can be carefully removed and repotted to create new plants. This is a great way to expand your succulent collection!

Bonus Tip: Embrace the Seasons:

• Seasonal Adjustments: While most succulents thrive year-round with proper care, some adjustments might be necessary depending on the season. During winter, when sunlight is less intense and days are shorter, reduce watering frequency even further. Some succulent varieties might even enter a dormant state, requiring minimal water.

By understanding the signs and symptoms of common problems, along with implementing these preventative care tips, you can keep your succulents healthy and thriving for years to come.

Remember, succulents are beautiful and resilient plants, but even the most low-maintenance beauties require a little TLC from time to time.

Happy Succulenting!