How Often Do I Water Succulents
Succulents are in their most active growth cycle in spring and summer and need less water in winter when they are dormant. The general rule is to water about half as often during the winter compared to spring and summer and to taper off during autumn. Learn how to water succulents properly based on the type, climate, and potting mix of your plants.
Find out how much water they need, how often to water them, and how to avoid overwatering or underwatering. Low light levels and stagnant, still air are the main reasons indoor succulents need water less often. Outdoor succulents, by contrast, usually receive brighter light and more air movement, so they often need watering more frequently.
Learn how often to water your succulent plants to avoid overdoing it. As a rule of thumb, plan to water a succulent plant every one to two weeks in warm weather and once a month in winter so the soil has time to dry out between waterings. Since succulents are water-storing plants, they don't require a regular watering schedule.
"There is no exact rule about how many times per month you should water your succulents because there are so many factors to consider," says Nathan Heinrich, horticulturist and botanical designer. Water indoor succulents every 23 weeks in growing season, monthly in winter. Use the skewer test to check soil moisture before each watering.
Once you ID your succulents preferred season, you can give it a perfect drink schedule. During its grow period, aim to water deeply at least once a week until the excess drains out the bottom. Then allow the soil to fully dry before watering again we call this the soak and dry method.
How often should you water succulents? In most homes, water succulents roughly every 7 to 14 days during the growing season (spring and summer) and every 3 to 4 weeks in winter, but only after confirming the soil is bone dry at least 1 to 2 inches down. Many indoor succulent growers find that watering 14-21 days is a good frequency to keep their succulents alive. Use this timeline as a starting point and adjust as needed.
The best frequency for watering your succulents is whenever the leaves show very early signs of under watering. Learn how often to water succulents and cacti, how much water they need, and how to prevent overwatering with the right soil, pot, light, and drainage.