How to Water Succulents Without Killing Them

While succulents are drought-tolerant plants and their gorgeous leaves are designed to store water, it’s important to know how to water them properly to help them thrive.

Here’s how to properly water succulents, according to Nathan Heinrich, horticulturist and owner of his eponymous botanical design firm.

How often should succulents be watered?

Because succulents are water-storing plants, they do not require a regular watering schedule.

“There is no hard and fast rule for how many times a month you should water succulents because there are so many factors to consider,” Heinrich said. “Soil type, plant variety, seasonal weather, temperature, climate and humidity all affect how often you should water your succulents.”

Heinrich says there’s one simple rule to help you determine when to water your succulents so you can keep them healthy and happy, no matter where they’re planted: When your succulent’s soil feels dry to the touch, it’s time to water.

“Don’t water if the soil is damp or has noticeable moisture when you can feel the top of the soil with your fingertip,” he says. “In the same way you can feel moisture on your clothes in the dryer, you can also use a light touch to test for moisture in your succulent’s soil.”

“Succulents are very easy to overwater, so only water when they actually need to be watered, not when you feel like watering,” he adds.

How to water succulents indoors

Heinrich says potted succulents grown indoors follow the same basic watering rules as all other succulents: Water only when the soil is dry. They should be watered thoroughly when the soil at the top of the container becomes dry to the touch.

“A great way to water a potted succulent is to place it in a shallow bowl or saucer in the kitchen sink or bathtub,” he says. “Then slowly and carefully pour water into the pan until the water runs out and fill the bowl you are pouring into. Allow the succulent to absorb as much water as it wants over the next 30 minutes.”

“Once (the plant) has absorbed the water and the soil is completely saturated, remove it from the bowl and let the excess water drain into the sink before returning it to a nice, bright and sunny, but not too hot, location. – the location in your home,” he adds.

You should also avoid placing succulents on hot glass from a window in direct sunlight, as this can burn the leaves.

How to water succulents outdoors

Heinrich says you can use the same watering method as indoor plants if you have small succulents in pots outdoors. But if you have large, heavy pots with a lot of soil, you’ll want to water them thoroughly when they’re dry and then let them dry before watering again.

“If you’re watering succulents planted in the ground, pay attention to how moist the soil is before watering,” he says. “Sandy soils dry out faster than heavy clay soils, so be aware of how quickly or slowly your soil dries out. If it rains regularly every month of the year, you may never have to water succulents planted in the ground.”