After years of gardening I’ve dealt with a huge number of struggling plants. And I’m very much including succulents in that. They may be tough but they’re not invincible.
So if your succulent has started to look sad or shrivelled don’t despair! Learn a few tricks from here and have some patience and you can easily bring it back to life.
So I’m going to take you through a step by step process to saving your succulent.
1. Diagnose the Problem First
Before you rush into treating the problem you’ve got to work out what it is that’s going wrong first. The issue could be anything from watering badly, a lack of light, pest infestation etc.
Common signs of a problem include:
Overwatering: Mushy, translucent leaves or black spots.
Underwatering: Wrinkled or shriveled leaves.
Sunburn: Brown, crispy spots on the leaves.
Pests: Sticky residue or tiny bugs crawling around.
Working out what the root is will mean you can find the correct solution to fix it. Taking a look at the leaves, stems and roots helps you to narrow down what it could be.
2. Correct Your Watering Habits
Succulents don’t like both too much or too little water. What you should be doing is letting the soil dry out completely between each watering.
You can adjust how you’re watering your succulent based on the symptoms it’s showing:
Overwatered Succulent
If you’ve been a little too generous with the water it could be causing the roots to rot. If you suspect it could be happening then you’ll see the leaves turning squishy, dark patches and a rotting smell.
How to fix it
Step 1: Remove the succulent from its pot and check for rotting roots. Any mushy or blackened roots need to be trimmed away.
Step 2: Let it air out for a day or two to get rid of all the moisture.
Step 3: Repot your succulent in soil that drains well and is dry. Make sure the pot you’re putting it in has good drainage and drainage holes. Don’t water it for at least a week.
Underwatered Succulent
But the other side of things is not watering enough. If your succulent is parched it’ll have thin leaves that are wrinkled and aren’t firm anymore.
This is usually less common than overwatering but can happen when succulents are neglected for too long.
How to fix it
Step 1: Water your succulent but don’t let it sit in standing water. Once a week should be enough (although it will depend on the season and your climate)
Step 2: Don’t try to “catch up” by overcompensating with excessive water. Let the soil dry out between each watering.
3. Adjust Lighting Conditions
Light is a big deal when it comes to having a healthy succulent. If yours isn’t getting enough light you might notice it stretching toward the piece of light. Or they look a lot paler.
How to fix it
Step 1: Move the succulent to a spot that gets a decent amount of indirect sunlight. Most succulents need about 6 hours of light a day. But be careful with direct sunlight as it can burn the leaves.
Step 2: If you’re growing your succulent indoors then a grow light can help. It will stop it from getting leggy and keeping the plant looking good, especially during the darker winter months.
If you have a succulent that’s been sunburnt then the treatment is simple: trim away the burned leaves and move the plant to a shadier spot.
Unfortunately once the leaves are burnt they won’t recover. But any new growth will be healthy as long as you’re giving it the right care.
4. Repotting
Being cramped can really stop your succulent from growing. They need some space to breathe.
Over time the roots can become root bound and won’t have any room to expand. If you notice your succulent has stopped growing or it’s roots are poking out of the drainage holes then you should be moving it to a bigger pot.
How to fix it
Step 1: Choose a pot that’s about an inch or two wider than the current one. It should have drainage holes so the water doesn’t build up.
Step 2: Use a cactus or succulent mix as it will give your succulent all the nutrients it needs and help with drainage. If you can’t get a mix that is specific for succulents then a regular potting mix mixed with sand and perlite will also work.
Step 3: Once you’ve repotted your succulent pet it settle for a few days before you water it again. This is even more important if you’ve pruned its roots.
5. Deal with Pests
It can be pests that are making your succulent struggle and not environmental factors. The likes of mealybugs, spider mites and scale can all affect succulents.
How to fix it
Step 1: Isolate the affected plant so the pests don’t spread to other plants.
Step 2: Gently wipe away any visible pests using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. If you’ve got a bad infestation then try using insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Step 3: Keep a close eye on your plant after you’ve treated it. You may have to repeat the process if it doesn’t work the first time. Look at your other plants too so you can spot any early signs of pests.
6. Water Therapy
If you’ve tried everything and your succulent still looks like it’s on its last legs then you could give water therapy a try. This would be a last resort for succulents that have been massively under watered or stressed from shipping.
How to perform water therapy
Step 1:
Remove the plant from its soil, rinse off any remaining dirt and put its roots in a jar of water. The leaves need to stay above the waterline otherwise they will rot.
Step 2: Let the roots soak for 24 to 72 hours, depending on the condition your succulent is in. Once you’re done replant it in dry soil and don’t water it for a while.
Water therapy is not for every plant and should only be used in emergencies. But if you’re succulent is very dehydrated it can really help.
Final Thoughts
Succulents might be tough, but like any plant they will struggle if you don’t care for them the right way. But as long as you pay close attention to what they need you should be able to save your succulent.
The most important thing to remember is that succulents are tough. Even if you’re is looking a bit rough at there moment it can bounce back if you give it the right care.
By following these steps your succulent will have a much better chance of recovery.
