Tips for Growing Healthy Succulents

echeveria 'lola" succulent via needles + leaves. read how to grow succulents, tips for growing healthy succulents, how to propagate succulents from cuttings and leaves.

I'm asked quite frequently on Instagram to share tips for growing succulents, so I decided it would be a good idea to share them here as well.  Let me start off by saying, I consider myself a succulent enthusiast, but I am by no means an expert. (Feel free to correct me anytime!) That being said, I do have a lot of plants and they are all very healthy, so I'd love to share with you what has worked for me. 

I've found that there are three main factors to consider when growing succulents: 

Soil + Water + Sunlight

Tips for growing healthy succulents, how to grow succulents, and how to propagate succulents from cuttings and leaves via Needles + Leaves.

1. Soil

What kind of soil should I plant my succulents in? 

Succulents love well draining soil.  I've been buying a Palm & Cactus mix from Lowes for sometime now and it has been great.  In the dryer summer months, I've found that my soil drys a little too quickly. If you feel like your soil is just not retaining water long enough, you can mix your cactus soil with a bit of regular potting soil to increase the water retention to your liking. Sometimes, I like to keep my plants in containers without drainage holes, such as tea cups, mason jars and baby food jars.  In this case, I will either layer the bottom of the container with pebbles or add sand to the soil to help with drainage issues.

2. Water

How much and when should I water my succulents?

There is a common misconception that succulents don't need much water.   While it's true that they can go longer periods of time without it, they will not "thrive" in a drought-like situation.  I learned this the hard way when I first started my collection.  I would go weeks without watering and my plants were not growing. They weren't dying either. My mom on the other hand, would water her plants frequently and her plants were flourishing! I decided she was on to something and began watering my plants more often. Now, my general rule of thumb is water when the soil is dry.  For me, that is about once a week during hotter months and a little less when the weather cools.  When I water, I water the soil not the plant. (I've heard that letting water settle on the leaves can cause rot, in addition to leaving unsightly markings.) I give it a good soak so that the water runs out of the bottom of the pot. (For plants without drainage holes, I don't soak. I give more of a "sip.") I see a lot of people killing their succulents by overwatering. You can avoid this by making sure the soil is totally dry between waterings.   

3. Sunlight

How much sunlight do succulents need? 

In general, succulents do best in bright but indirect sunlight.  I've found that different species can tolerate different amounts of light, but most of my plants tend to suffer in extended periods of direct sunlight.  To avoid burning and scorching your plants, keep them in a place where they get a lot of shade but still receive adequate light. My healthiest plants are outside on window sills where they are protected from direct sunlight by small over hangs. Like I said, some plants can tolerate direct sunlight better than others. You just need to experiment with your plants to see what works best where you live.  If your plants are not getting enough light they may become leggy and stretch toward the light. If your plants are stretching out or bending toward the light, you can slowly move them to a brighter spot or rotate the pot from time to time to keep them growing straight up. You might also like to propagate your leggy succulents. (See my post on Propagating Succulents for more info.) 

Tips for growing healthy succulents :: How to grow healthy succulents via Needles + Leaves

I hope this has been helpful! Please let me know if you have any questions at all. Find me on Instagram under @tawwni or @needlesandleaves or leave a comment below. 

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Comments (69)

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what were the names of the plants in the last photo

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I love Succulents and I’m really glad my friend sent me this website I will listen to everything you said and do it just like you said to do and then you see how mine tomorrow is great thanks a lot Sharon

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Hi, I want to start but noticed they're only pretty at the onset. They grow too fast and will need a lot of trimming to keep them under control. Is this common? Am I watering too much?

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Check out my channel about my succulent collection and vlog.
https://www.youtube.com/user/asulikeit22

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I was able to buy succulents seeds in lazada. I even bought 2. Ans a ready mix soil from lazada also. Its been 2 weeks already, and im still not seeing life or sprouted succulents. Is the seeds already dead? By the way the seeds are very tiny...

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HI I LIKE YOUR PAGE ITS MY FIRST VISITING AND YET I KEEP ON CLICKING, ITS LIKE WE ARE TALKING TO EACH OTHER... THANKS ( BY THE WAY I DON'T REALLY COMMENT ON PAGES THIS IS MY FIRST TIME DOING SO, I JUST REALLY LIKE HOW YOU WRITE) KEEP ON POSTING :)

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I just bought a mix of succulent seeds...I enjoy starting from scratch. This will be my 1st time with succulents an I have been reading about how, when, where, etc. Saw that planting seeds should be done at the end of April. I got anxious an decide to plant just a few today. For now I'm using the pic below. Was told to cover at night and open up during day. Just wondering if I have a chance.
An I believe your suggestions will help me greatly.

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How can I get succulents to grow, I plant them, then they grow then die?

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How to prepare soil for succulents

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Love your tips....very helpful

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Your suggestions for getting the succulents and cacti to bloom?

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How big of a pot should I plant my succulent in? I was given a jade plant about 8 years ago and it's flourishing!!! I need to replant it but don't know what size to go with????

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How fast do succulents grow? I have a lot of very small plants that I would like to space far enough apart for better growth. I'm wondering also how far apart I should plant them so that I will end up with a full, dense arrangement of plants.

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i have just token over my mom's succulents and i have two that are not doing to good what should i do?

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I just purchased a succulent plant, specifically the Echeveria Elegans Gesneden, and it came with a tall vase with no drainage holes. I'm having a difficult time determining how much water to add. I've read that you only water 1/2 of the soil, but I feel it is draining to the bottom, so I've tipped the vase over to drain the excess. Am I doing it correctly? I would hate to see it die.

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try switching the pot to one with drain holes and see if that is changing the result.

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What bout just statting out with seeds

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I enjoyed your post on succulents.
http://www.china-aba.com/

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How long are you able to keep the succulents alive in containers with no drainage holes?

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I've been looking for a blog that talks everything about succulents and urs is just amazing! Thank you for sharing.

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how quick do succulents grow? I have my first succulent, and I don't know what to expect...

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Hi. I enjoyed your post on succulents. We've just gotten a whole lot of tabletop succulents and I'm having a little trouble maintaining them. I drowned the one by accident, and was wondering whether there was no method over reviving the plant or growing a new one on that soil. It is layered soil consisting of top soil and moss.

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I'm no expert but I have a little experience. The plant can usually be revived unless it's rotted, if part of the stem and a few leaves are still healthy you can "behead" it and put it back on soil and it will grow new roots. You can also propagate healthy leaves into new plantlets. Moss isn't optimal for a succulent arrangement because it traps a lot of moisture, and succulents don't thrive and often rotten in that kind of environment. Make sure your soil is fast draining and that the container has a drainage hole so no water sits on it for a long period. I would also suggest placing the arrangement in a bright spot with plenty of morning sun but afternoon shade. Good luck:)

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hola soy Libia muy buenos sus concejosGRACIAS

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Hi , I am Anika Gogoi I have problems growing my succulents they are just die every 2nd day THANK YOU

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Hi I am Sandra Coaker I have a little bug in my plants he is killing them what can I doi have a lot of them don't want to loose them thanks

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I rescued a flat of succulents my neighbor was given they had been living in total shade w/ wet conditions. I love the look of succulents outdoors. Olive in northeast Fl. & have a small sun porch w/ ledges for plants. I found your article most helpful. I would love to know more on how to integrate them into my outdoor planting. Do they do well in the shade of slightly larger plants? My yard in summer is mostly sunny. My lot faces northeast. Anyone?

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Thanks for sharing I want to make a arrangement of succulents& need lots of imformation

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Thanks it was a great tip. Just what I wanted was the answer.

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My future daughter in law wants succulents in her bridal bouquet. I've purchased some plants and I have them growing in pots outside, in a bright sunny place (I live in Florida) but I'm trying to propagate some as well. I removed the lower leaves, dipped them in rooting hormone and placed them on the top of cactus soil. And advice on how to get them o grow any faster? How often should I water the babies for proper propagation? My instincts tell me to keep them moist but not wet.

Thanks

Claudia

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ALIN that was reley helpful

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Hey, great blog! I just began the propagation process on a plant I was getting a little frustrated with for becoming leggy. Can't wait to see how it pans out. Re: all the questions on what to do with pots with no drainage holes: it's so easy to drill holes in the bottom. You need a diamond tip hole saw drill bit (very cheap, on Amazon). I prefer to make 2 or 3 small holes on smaller pots and maybe one larger hole in a larger pot. The trick is to keep the hole area wet by spraying water and not to press too hard. Let the drill do the work. I would post a video but there are already lots on YouTube. Recently I found that Shawnee pots from the fifties are great for hanging after drilling holes because they're so light weight and their flimsiness becomes an asset.

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Very Useful! Thank you!

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EILEEN
some ONE TOLD ME TO PUT SHIPPING PEANUTS IN THE BOTTON OF POTS WITH NO DRAINAGE BEFORE PUTTING IN THE SUCCULENT SOIL. sEEMS TO WORK WELL. I DID IT WITH MY CONTAINER GARDENS OVER THE SUMMER. MUCH LIGHTER THAN FILLING WITH PEBBLES

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Eileen I am a newbie to the world of succulents and am totally addicted. My delivery of blue chalk fingers arrived with a lot of leaves fallen off and which I am tying to propogate according to very good instructions. I live in Northern Va. and there is an excellent club in d.c.

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Hi, I was making a research about pots with no holes and it led me here. I have a problem with my pots that have no holes, based on your suggestion, I should put pebbles at the bottom. But since I already planted them in ceramics with no holes nor pebbles, can my plants still survive if I water the cacti & succulents with less water? Or do I need to re-plant and put pebbles at the bottom.

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In the picture above, the middle plant, between the sempervivums.. what kind of succulent is it? I have the EXACT same one and have absolutely no idea what it is!

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I have a "blue chalk sticks" (Senecio Mandraliscae) that has grown unlike any other I've seen. I don't know where to cut it to propagate it.

It has grown about 3 ft long and it's now losing color and it's "sticks"..... 😔

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thankyou for your helpful tips

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I recently purchased succulents thinking that all could be planted in my fountain garden which has direct sun 6 - 8 hrs daily. I was told by a friend that she did not think they would do well; i.e Ruffles, Afterglow, Sunburst. Please advise. Should I keep them in partial shade and avoid the planter I wanted to put them in? Thank you.

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thankyou this was really
help full! i will definitely
follow these tips😊

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Hi, I want to make a terrarium. But I don't want my plants to grow too big. I would like if possible for them to stay miniature in size to keep the form of the garden. As opposed to over growing it. Is this at all possible? Are there types of succulents that will stay small? Thanks.

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Thanks so much! This is very helpful. I live in Florida, so my plant seems to dry up quicker, but it needs much less watering than my outdoor garden, which is good!

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What about succulents growing "tails"? From the base of the plant when a new stem emerges, sometimes with a bloom on the end. I have heard that is bad for the plant? Do you cut those back?

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Hi, thanks for this post. I'm thinking of growing my own succulent plants for my wedding décor as I love how unique they are. However, I'm terrified as I am definitely no plant expert! I really like the flower looking plants that have a hint of purple and Aqua. Can you tell me what sort of succulent plant this is? How much do you think it would cost for me to grow 14 plants? My wedding is in September 2016 in the UK.
Thanks!

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Thank you! This is really a very informative item and I love succlents also and will keep in mind every tip. Garden Gal

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I have found that if I mix in sand to my regular soil it creates nice drainage and succulents are healthy. I live in the Bay area of California and we do not to hot. Nice to hear you agree about water needs and that succulents can grow in shade. I am a garden designer with on the job training and I have been using succulents in entrance pots to homes very successfully. I thought I just had a green thumb, he he

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How about watering in the Winter? Do you water less?

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i am wondering approximately how fast succulents will grow. could you help me?

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I am new bee to succulents... just got some from a nursery from the hills. I live in Bangalore, India. We do not get any soil mix as such for cacti palm or succulents. Could you kindly let me know how can I prepare the soil for them. You articles are very delightful and a proof of your enthusiasm. Thanks.

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For a planter with no drainage holes, can I layer sand at the bottom instead of pebbles? How thick should the pebble layer and the soil layer be?

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I got a succulent a few weeks ago and I think its dying. I have been watering it every few days. It has brown on the tips of its leaves and is kind of scaly there? What should I do? It is in indirect sunlight

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