If you’re anything like me, you have a love/slight obsession for succulents, but maybe aren’t blessed to live in San Diego where succulents thrive outdoors year round. I live in a small apartment that gets absolutely no direct sunlight; what a nightmare! Thankfully, I’m here to tell you that it’s possible to have beautiful, thriving indoor succulents, even in the winter! Check out these 5 tips to keep your succulents looking healthy.
1. Don’t over-water
Photo via worldofsucculents.com
Succulents are different than most other houseplants you may have had before. If you’re the kind of person who sometimes forgets to water their plants for a few days and may have accidentally lost a plant or two, fear not with succulents. However, if you are the opposite and tend to over-water your plants, BE CAREFUL! The amount of water your succulents need depends on the kind of soil, the pot, and even the climate you live in. There is no exact science to it; some people water once a week and others once a month. Listen to your plants.
As a rule of thumb, wait until the soil has completely dried and then water with a few ounces of water, just enough to get the soil damp. Or if you’re like me, water when you remember that you have living things that need water.
2. Pots. Pots. Pots
Photo via offbeatandinspired.com
The kind of pot you put your succulent in matters! I love the look of glass bowls, however, I very quickly realized that glass bowls don’t drain and I’ve definitely drowned a few plants. Plastic and terracotta pots with drainage holes are the safest bet when it comes to succulents. That doesn’t mean you can’t use glass; most of my succulents are still in glass bowls with no drain holes and are thriving.
Along with your choice of pot, I would highly recommend using a well-draining succulent and cacti soil to prevent water-logged roots. If your roots sit in standing water for too long, they can rot and you may lose your little succulent.
3. Let the sun in
Photo via designsponge.com
All plants need three basic things to survive: water, soil and sun! Make sure to let some sunlight in! Every window in my apartment is lined with plants and none of them get a drop of direct sunlight. If you want to put a succulent on a desk or shelve without sunlight, just be sure to rotate it out with another succulent every few days, or let it spend half of its time in a window sill.
4. Experiment with succulent types
Photo via Urban Outfitters
Not all succulents are created equally. Some are super finicky and others are easy going. Experiment a little to see which plants are best for you. Green succulents, particularly Jade, are more of the easy-going types, and colored succulents like reds and purples are a bit harder to keep alive indoors. Check out my post, Easy To Keep, Hard To Kill Succulents for more information on the types of succulents I think are easier to keep alive.
5. Watch out for cold windows.
Photo via Decor Mag
This last one may not apply to you too much depending on where you live, but winter seems to be my worst enemy. I have all my plants in window sills and the temperature outside stays between 20-40˚ during the winter. Beware the cold and make sure to find other places for succulents that may struggle during colder months. Keep your babies away from drafts and invest in some artificial light if you need to. It may even benefit you more than your plants!
