How to Care for Succulent Plants in the Winter

Succulents come in a seemingly endless variety of shapes and sizes. The required care varies as much as their appearance, even among varieties that look the same. While succulents all have thick, fleshy leaves, not all varieties thrive with the same amounts of water and light. A general rule of thumb is if you are wondering whether to water a succulent, wait another day. Too little water is better than too much, especially when growing them indoors in winter.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Bring succulents indoors before freezing weather.

2. Find a spot indoors that is in bright, indirect light. A window with eastern or western exposure is a good spot for succulent plants in winter. Do not put succulents in a south-facing window. If you notice that the plant begins to turn red, yellow or tan on the side toward the window, it needs to be moved to a spot with less intense light.

3. Provide some air movement around succulent plants. Do not put them too close together; air needs to be able to circulate all around them. Run a fan occasionally in the room where they are growing to increase air circulation. Keep away from cold winter drafts.

4. Water less often during the winter months. Stick your finger in the potting soil. When it feels dry an inch below the surface it is time to water.Do not over water succulent plants during winter or they will rot. If the plant begins to wilt it is a sign that it needs more water and it is OK to do so.

5. Stop fertilizing succulent plants in late fall. Resume fertilizing weekly in early spring when the days lengthen and your succulent plants begin to exhibit more vigorous growth.

References

• Care for succulent plants in winter

Resources

• Read more about the general care of succulents