How to Water Succulents

I received a product in exchange for an honest review on my blog. The opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. This post contains affiliate links.

I always had a black thumb until I discovered succulents. For many years, I killed plants because I always forgot to water them. This neglect is what made me successful in regards to caring for succulents. As I read succulent-related boards and group discussions, this usually comes up: "My succulent looks horrible. I don't know what I'm doing wrong." A picture of a drooping plant with translucent leaves usually accompanies the statement. It seems as if the main reason that people fail at succulents is because they over-water them.

How to Water Succulents

Not all succulents have the same watering needs. Watering depends on factors such as:

• Plant type
• Time of year
• The plant's normal dormancy period

I've been growing succulents for about a year. My number one, go-to source for information about most of the plants I have is Dave's Garden. The site tells you about a plant's watering needs, space requirements, hardiness zone and when it blossoms. Users also leave comments about their experience with specific plants.

After I learn about a plant's watering needs, I use a simple moisture meter that tells me how wet the soil is. This gadget has saved a lot of succulent lives.

In general, I soak plants about once a week in the spring and summer. If the plants are young, I mist them with water daily so the roots don't get too dry.

In the winter and fall, I water my succulents weekly, but don't soak them. Because I live in an area that gets cold, I bring the tender succulents inside my home, but leave the cold-hardy ones outside. Among my tender succulents is my jade plant collection.  

'Hobbit' jade with sedum

'Ripple' jade with sedum

'Tri Color' jade with sedum

Variegated jade with moss

When watering succulents, it's important that some are dormant during the winter, so they require little watering. Adenium, or dessert rose, is dormant during this time. It's leaves fall and needs watering about once a month. Conversely, aeonium are dormant during the summer. 

To water the plants in my home, I used a two-gallon garden pump sprayer that Get Bats Out sent me to test and review. The pump comes with a extension nozzle that is helpful for reaching plants that I keep on tables and windowsills. I like that you can adjust the spray to avoid getting water all over furniture. By twisting the pump handle into place, you can carry the sprayer around with you.  The instructions say to lay the sprayer on its side and depress the handle to release the pressure in it. I just un-twist the cap to do this because it's simpler.

The sprayer has slots where you can attach a strap. Now that I have to use crutches, I wish the sprayer came with a strap so I could carry it by myself.

During the summer, I like to water the plants outside with the garden hose. OT-Online sent me a sweet nozzle for my hose that it calls a Hozzle. By twisting the bezel, I can adjust the flow of water. I like to use a mist-like spray for the succulents because I can water a lot of plants at the same time. The only thing that I don't like about the Hozzle is that the O-ring falls out, so you have to pay attention when you install and remove it from the end of the hose.

What watering routine do you use for your succulents? 

I received the products mentioned in exchange for an unbiased review on my blog. This post contains affiliate links, meaning that I receive a small commission if you click on an Amazon.com link and make a purchase.