Who doesn’t love succulents? Remember when they were not so common? As if overnight they became popular. This was due to their minimal care, low water requirements, adaptability and abundant color varieties. Everybody became obsessed with them. Most people grew them indoors. Many even created outdoor gardens solely consisting of succulents.
Succulents are a unique kind of gardening genera and require different expertise because their care is totally different from other plants. Being different doesn’t mean it’s difficult. It’s pretty simple if you know these basic rules.
In this short simple read you’ll learn how to tackle a very common issue that is caring for succulents in winter. Caring for succulent in summer is easy but once the winter kicks in their needs switch and they require extra care.
How to care for succulents in winter then?
Here is a tip.
Sort out your succulents and group those with the same requirements together.
Enjoy this shallow dive!
Hardy or Not
The first step is getting to know your succulents. Most of the succulents you buy from stores are labeled. Even if they are not, you can do a simple google search to find out. See if they are winter hardy and can survive the frost or not. Even if your succulent is frost tolerant bringing it indoors is a good measure. The outside cold can freeze and rupture the succulent’s cell.
Before you bring them indoors, give them a thorough watering two days prior. Also clean any dirt or moss associated with the pot. Remove dead leaves too.
Light and Space
Succulents have three growth patterns:
Actively growing
Succulent growth remains constant and actively grows during the winter months too.
Partially dormant
Succulents are still growing but at a slower rate. It’s partially dormant which means they have less than usual requirements.
Dormant
Succulents have completely stopped growing and are fully dormant.
Doing pre-hand research on your succulents is good. Those succulents which are dormant can be stored in a cool dark place. The actively growing and partial ones require lots of sunlight. Put them in your brightest window. Sunlight is insufficient in winter, and if you are growing them in a secluded place where the sunlight doesn’t reach it’s best to use grow lights. A cheap alternative is using mirrors to reflect light back to the succulents.
Reduce Watering
It’s quite common knowledge that succulents require a low amount of watering. This need is further reduced in winters which are charcterized by little evapotranspiration and low temperatures. The trick in winter is not to water them at all. You don’t need to unless you see their leaves are shrinking. When the leaves show signs of shrinkage, that is the time for a thorough watering. To maintain a clean space place a saucer beneath the pots.
Well-Draining Soil
Well-draining soil is key to successfully growing succulents, including when they are kept indoors. The water doesn’t accumulate and drains out which prevents rotting. Also, cutback the fertilizer supply as succulents are lazy in winters and it may build up in the soil and burn the succulents.
Clean Dressing and Pests
Before bringing them indoors check for any pests or eggs that might be there. Also routinely check if little creatures haven’t made your succulents their home. Hand pick the pests or use diluted Isopropyl alcohol. You can also use a clean dressing of gravel or stones as a top layer. It is not necessary though. Mix worm castings in it which prevents pest infestation. Try to adorn the pots with mini figurines and attractive stones to increase the aesthetic look.
Caring for succulents in winter is not a herculean task.
I hope this article has helped. Happy gardening.