Succulents are becoming extremely popular plants that millions of people around the world have in their homes. The reason for this is because there are so many of them, with different sizes, they can survive extreme temperatures, and they will make your home look a lot better and warmer. If you are the type of person who likes to add some plants to your home but if you don’t want to spend too much time taking care of them, then you should choose to go with some succulents.
In addition to this, they are one of the best gifts you can give to your loved ones, and they are going to make everyone happy. Even though they are really easy to keep alive, you can also easily overwater these plants, and you need to pay attention to how much water they need. In this article, we are going to tell you more about the whole watering process, and how often you should do it. Continue reading if you want to find out how you can keep these beautiful plants alive for a long time.
How often should you water them?
One of the biggest mistakes we make when deciding to have succulents in our home is that we try and treat them like regular plants. You probably already know that when it comes to most of the other types of plants, the soil needs to be moist all the time. Other plants need to be watered between 2 and 5 times per week, depending on the season, type of plant, and where they are placed in your home.
When it comes to this type of vegetation, the soil should not be moist all the time. The drill is, you should stick your finger in the soil and see if there is still moisture.
If it is not bone dry, then they don’t need more water. These plants are made to preserve water, and they will not need a lot of help from you. Know that it is easier to kill them by adding too much liquid than not adding enough.
So, check to see if the soil is dry. If you can feel any moisture, walk away and check again in a few days. In case it is completely dry, then you should get your watering can.
Remember that depending on the size of them, as well as the type, different types will need a different amount of water. So, in case you have more than one succulent, you should check all of them and water them depending on the dryness of the soil. According to succulentmarket.com, you can easily find out how you should care for your plant depending on the variety you have, but the best thing you can do for it is just to check if it needs to be watered.
How much water do they need?
When it comes to this, it all depends on many things. The first one is the size of the vegetation itself, but it also depends on the pot or the container, the position in your home, and the season.
In the colder months, you won’t need to put a lot of water, maybe just a few drops up to half a cup. In the summer months, however, especially if the plant is placed in direct sunlight, you may need a bit more water.
Experts suggest that you should always have a container that has its own drainage system, so in case you put extra water, you can easily pour it out. One thing you should always remember is that you should never let the excess fluid stay there. Water the plant, and wait for about 5 minutes. Then go back, check on it and see if there is fluid left in the drainage container. If there is, pour it out and put the container back in place. This will prevent the succulent from “drowning” in fluid, and the leaves will not start absorbing more fluids than they actually need.
Remember that the larger the container is, the fewer liquids it is going to need. The soil will gather all the fluid it needs, and the plant will easily access it with its roots. However, if you have small or shallow pots, then you may need to check on them more frequently.
How to take care of them?
If you want to keep your plants alive, there are other things you should know about taking care of them. The first thing you should do is to make sure that they are getting enough sunlight. They need light to survive, and their natural habitat are places that have a lot of light. Never put them behind walls or somewhere that has no windows. Put them on the balcony, or at least near the window. You should also turn them around and rotate them so all of their sides get enough light. Keep them clean and never let dust or dirt stay on them. This will prevent different diseases, and they will be getting the needed light and water at all times. Use a damp cloth to gently wipe them. Do this at least once per week or 3 times per month.
Note that the type of soil will make a lot of difference as well, so if you don’t know which one is the best for your specific plant, you can always talk to the seller from the shop you purchased your items, and you can ask them for recommendation depending on the succulent or cactus you have. Regular soil or dirt from your backyard is not a good type of soil, and know that they will not last a long time in case you keep them just in this type of pot. Always get rid of any bugs that are on or around them, and make sure you use a product that won’t harm the plant itself. Fertilize them in the warm months and they will be there to make your home more beautiful for years to come.
As you can see, taking care of your cactuses is not a hard thing to do. They require little maintenance, and if you remember these tips you won’t need to worry about them getting dry, or overwatering them. In case you have any questions, you can always reach out to professionals and ask your specific questions depending on the type of succulent you have.