Succulents are beloved for their adorable appearance and rich colors. Many plant lovers find that their succulents look great when first purchased, but gradually turn green, etiolate, or even develop black rot. Actually, succulents are not as difficult to care for as imagined - just master the core principles of 'water control + light + temperature difference' and anyone can grow succulents with vibrant colors and compact, plump forms. Let's talk about succulent care today!
Common Problems and Cause Analysis
The most common problems when growing succulents are etiolation, black rot, and failure to color up. Understanding the causes helps find the right solutions.
Etiolation -- The Main Culprit of Ugly Succulents
Etiolation is the most common problem with succulents, manifesting as elongated stems, sparse spread-out leaves, and an overall loose, non-compact appearance. Originally cute succulents become tall and thin, very unattractive:
1. Insufficient Light: This is the primary cause of etiolation. Succulents need plenty of direct sunlight, and without enough light they stretch desperately seeking light. Indoor succulents without sufficient sunlight will almost certainly etiolate - this is the environment succulents fear most.
2. Overwatering: When water is abundant, succulents grow wildly, with stems rapidly elongating and leaves becoming thin and large. Appropriate water restriction actually helps succulents maintain a compact form with plumper, thicker leaves.
3. Excess Nitrogen Fertilizer: Using high-nitrogen fertilizers makes succulents grow quickly but not compactly, easily becoming deformed and leggy. Succulents actually don't need much fertilizer, especially nitrogen which should be used sparingly.
4. Poor Ventilation: Hot, humid, stuffy environments make succulents grow too fast, easily becoming etiolated. Maintain good air circulation for healthy succulent growth.
Black Rot -- The Number One Killer of Succulents
Black rot is the most serious problem in succulent care, manifesting as stems or leaves turning black and rotting from the inside, spreading rapidly. If not treated in time, it leads to death of the entire plant:
1. Overwatering + Poor Ventilation: This is the main cause of black rot. In hot and humid conditions, fungi and bacteria multiply rapidly, invading succulent tissue and causing rot. Summer especially requires attention to water control and ventilation - this is the peak season for black rot.
2. Stuffy Heat Without Air Flow: Summer's high temperatures and humidity combined with watering creates a breeding ground for black rot. In summer, place succulents in well-ventilated areas, reduce watering or even stop watering completely to let succulents safely pass through summer.
3. Wound Infection: After repotting or beheading, if wounds aren't dried before contact with water or wet soil, infection and rot easily occur. After any pruning operation, wounds must be thoroughly dried before contact with water.
4. Pest Damage: Pests like scale insects and root mealybugs leave wounds on succulents, becoming entry points for pathogens. Deal with pests promptly when discovered to avoid secondary infections.
Not Coloring Up -- Why Always Green
The problem of succulents not coloring up, staying green, troubles many plant lovers. Succulents bought red and purple gradually turn green when grown at home:
1. Insufficient Light: Succulent colors come from pigments produced by sun stimulation. Without enough light stimulation, pigments cannot form and succulents can only stay green. Indoor succulents have difficulty coloring - this is an objective limitation.
2. Insufficient Temperature Difference: Day-night temperature difference is a key factor for succulent coloring. The greater the temperature difference, the more vivid the colors. It's hard to achieve good colors in constant-temperature environments, which is why autumn is when succulents look most beautiful.
3. Too Much Water: Excess water makes succulent cells swell, diluting and fading colors. Moderate water restriction can make leaves more compact with richer, more vivid colors.
4. Variety Characteristics: Some varieties are naturally green and won't turn red or purple no matter how they're grown. Pay attention when selecting varieties - not all succulents can color up.
Core Succulent Care Techniques
Master the following key points to grow succulents in great condition:
Light -- Outdoor Growing is King
Sufficient light is the first essential for succulents to achieve great colors. Without light, there are no beautiful succulents - this is the most basic requirement:
1. Full Sun is Best: If conditions allow, place succulents outdoors to receive full sun. Balconies, terraces, and windowsills are all good choices. At least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily is needed for succulents to maintain compact form and vivid colors.
2. South-Facing is Optimal: If can only grow indoors, choose a south-facing windowsill with the most light. East-facing is second best, north-facing is almost impossible for good succulent growth - insufficient light leads to etiolation and greening.
3. Summer Shade: Intense midday summer sun may burn succulent leaves, requiring 30-50% shade. But in other seasons, maximize sun exposure - spring, autumn, and winter sunlight is the best gift for succulents.
4. Grow Lights: When indoor lighting is truly insufficient, use succulent-specific grow lights. Choose full-spectrum LED lights, 8-12 hours of illumination daily can effectively prevent etiolation.
Watering -- Water Control for Great Colors
Water control is the most crucial aspect of succulent care. Succulents fear wet, not dry - better to underwater than overwater:
1. Thoroughly Dry, Thoroughly Water: Wait until soil is completely dry before watering, water thoroughly until it flows from the pot bottom. Judge by whether bottom leaves show slight softening or wrinkling - if so, it's time to water.
2. Better Dry Than Wet: Succulents fear wet, not dry. Forgetting to water is much better than overwatering. One or two weeks without water is usually fine, but continuous watering may cause etiolation or even black rot.
3. Seasonal Adjustment: Water more appropriately during spring and autumn growing seasons, greatly reduce watering or stop completely during summer and winter dormancy. Summer water cutoff is a choice of many experienced growers, effectively preventing black rot.
4. Avoid the Center: Don't water into the center of leaves, which easily causes water accumulation and crown rot. Water slowly along the pot edge, or use bottom watering to absorb from below - both are safe watering methods.
5. Evening Watering: In summer, water in the evening so moisture is absorbed during the cool night, avoiding the stuffy heat environment created by daytime evaporation.
Soil Mix -- Drainage is Most Important
Succulent soil directly determines root health. Well-draining soil is the foundation of good succulent care:
1. Mainly Granular Soil: Recommend 60-80% granular soil, commonly using akadama, pumice, volcanic rock, perlite, etc. More granules mean better drainage and less chance of root rot. Beginners should use a higher granular ratio for easier watering control.
2. Avoid Pure Peat: Pure peat soil retains too much water, easily causing stuffy root rot. Must be mixed with granules to improve soil drainage and aeration.
3. Top Dressing: Surface a layer of 3-5mm granular stone, both aesthetic and preventing soil splash when watering, keeping leaves clean. Top dressing also reflects sunlight, allowing bottom leaves to receive light.
4. Breathable Pots: Choose breathable terracotta or unglazed pots, bottom must have drainage holes. Plastic pots have poor breathability, requiring more careful watering - suitable for experienced growers.
Temperature Difference -- The Secret Weapon for Coloring
Day-night temperature difference is key for succulent coloring. For vivid succulent colors, sufficient temperature stress is necessary:
1. 10+ Degree Difference is Best: 20-25 degrees daytime, 10-15 degrees nighttime temperature difference can make succulents color up rapidly. Autumn is the easiest season for great colors with large temperature differences and gentle sunlight.
2. Outdoor Growing Creates Temperature Difference: Outdoor growing naturally has day-night temperature difference - this is also why outdoor succulents are more beautiful than indoor ones. Constant-temperature indoor environments have difficulty achieving good colors.
3. Autumn-Winter is Coloring Season: Autumn and winter with large temperature differences and soft sunlight is when succulents are most beautiful. In summer's high heat, most succulents fade and go dormant - this is normal, don't worry.
4. Low Temperature Limits: Most succulents don't tolerate frost, watch for protection when temperatures drop below 5 degrees. But temperatures above 0 degrees help with coloring - don't over-protect.
Black Rot Emergency and Leaf Propagation Techniques
If your succulent already has problems, there's still a chance to save it. Succulents are resilient - with timely treatment, most can be saved.
Four Steps for Black Rot Emergency
Act immediately when discovering black rot. Time is life - the faster you act, the higher the survival rate:
1. Quick Beheading: When discovering black rot, immediately use a sterilized blade to cut away all blackened parts, cutting until you see completely healthy white or green tissue. Better to cut more than leave hidden dangers - black rot continues spreading upward.
2. Dry the Wound: Dust the cut with fungicide powder to disinfect, place in cool, ventilated area for 1-3 days until the wound completely scabs and dries. This step is important - planting with an undried wound risks reinfection.
3. Re-cutting Propagation: After the wound dries, can insert directly into dry granular soil. Don't water, wait 7-10 days for rooting before giving small amounts of water. Keep soil dry before rooting to avoid secondary infection.
4. Discard Diseased Soil: Original soil may contain pathogens, don't reuse. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the pot, or simply use a new pot with new soil.
Methods to Save Etiolated Succulents
Etiolated succulents are ugly but can still become beautiful - don't give up easily:
1. Behead for Rebirth: Cut off the etiolated head, leaving 2-3cm stem. The mother plant will grow multiple side shoots, actually becoming more lush. The cut head can be propagated into a new plant - one becomes many.
2. Increase Light: Move to a location with sufficient light, new leaves will grow compactly. The originally etiolated parts won't recover, but new leaves will look better and better.
3. Control Watering: Reduce watering frequency, let succulents 'grow hungry' for more compactness. Water control also promotes coloring - killing two birds with one stone.
Leaf Propagation -- Turn One Plant into Hundreds
Succulent leaf propagation is very simple with high success rate, the most economical propagation method:
1. Choose Plump Leaves: Select healthy, plump leaves, completely remove from the base. Leaves must include the growth point (that tiny bit of tissue where leaf connects to stem), otherwise they won't sprout.
2. Dry the Wound: Place leaves in a cool area for 1-2 days to let wound scab and dry. Placing wet wounds directly on soil risks infection and rot.
3. Lay Flat on Soil Surface: Place leaves flat on slightly moist soil surface, don't insert into soil. Place in bright diffused light, avoid direct sunlight.
4. Wait for Sprouting: Small buds and roots will appear in about 2-4 weeks. During this time, can occasionally mist to keep soil surface slightly moist, but don't water thoroughly.
5. Transplant: When small plants reach 1-2cm, can gently transplant to small pots for normal care. Seedlings need shade protection, avoid sunburn.
Common Pest Control
Common succulent pests should be discovered and treated early. Pests weaken plants and spread pathogens:
1. Scale Insects: White cottony or brown shelled small insects clustering on leaves and stems, sucking sap. Remove small numbers with toothpicks or alcohol cotton swabs, spray insecticide for severe cases. Scale insects multiply fast - deal with immediately when discovered.
2. Root Mealybugs: White small insects hidden in roots, not easily visible, usually only seen when unpotting plants. After discovery, unpot and wash roots, soak in insecticide, repot with new soil.
3. Aphids: Green or black small insects clustering on new leaves and flower spikes. Wash with water or spray insecticide, small numbers can be squished by hand.
4. Prevention is Key: Regularly check undersides of leaves and soil surface, deal with insects early when found. Newly bought succulents should be quarantine-observed for a week before joining the main collection to avoid spreading pests.
Remember, the most important thing for growing succulents is 'tough love'. Less water, more sun, breathable soil - these are the three essentials for great colors. Don't over-care - succulents show their most beautiful colors under appropriate environmental stress!
