Watering succulents is all about balance: too much water causes rot, while too little leads to shriveled leaves. But don’t worry — by following a few simple watering techniques, you can find the right routine for your plants.
Succulents need a different watering schedule: treating them like a regular plant can lead to problems down the road. Most succulents need to be watered every 7–10 days, but factors like climate, pot size, and plant type can change this.
Factors That Determine Watering Frequency
If you’re growing your plants indoors, they may have different needs than outdoor succulents. Your climate plays a role in this, too. If you live in a dry climate, you may need to water more frequently. If it’s more humid, you may find yourself watering less often.
The types of succulents you grow will also play a role in how frequently they need water. As a general rule of thumb, only a small amount of water is needed for flowering succulent plants, and putting them on a watering schedule might be the best way to ensure you don’t drown them.
How to Water Your Succulents
There are several methods for watering succulents. The best way to water your plants will depend on what type of planter your succulents are planted in, the kind of soil, and the temperature and humidity of your environment.
You may want to test out each of these methods to determine what is best for your plants.
Bottom watering

First up is a method called “bottom watering”. This is sometimes called “reverse watering” and it basically allows the plant’s roots to “drink” up as much water as it needs. In order for this to work, your plant must be in a pot with drainage holes, but all succulents should have that anyway.
Then, you place a tray with water in it underneath the plant and allow the roots to absorb the water from the bottom up. This method works great and makes it easier to avoid overwatering, but sometimes it can be difficult to tell if your plant has soaked up all the water it needs.
Patience is key here, and in time, you will also learn what your plant needs and it will be easier to guess when it’s finishing “drinking.” If the top of the soil feels damp, then you know it has enough water.
Keep in mind that succulents have shallow roots, so if you have yours planted in a tall planter, this may not be the best method for you.
Watering with a measuring cup

One method that works for succulents is to use a measuring cup or watering can and fill it all the way to the top. Now, you will pour gently over your succulent’s soil mix until it is thoroughly soaked and the water runs out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. This is referred to as the “soak and dry” method because you literally soak the soil, and then allow it to dry out. Once the soil is dry to the touch, you repeat. Many people feel this is the best way to water their succulents, but it never hurts to try different methods and see which ones you like best.
It’s fine if water gets on the top of your plant, but when you’re done, you may want to use a paper towel to soak up excess water if it’s gathered around the leaves. If you do, just be gentle with the plant because leaves can break off easily, especially on more fragile varieties.
Signs of Not Enough Water
A quick and easy sign that they’re not getting enough water is when the leaves get shriveled or wrinkled up. A succulent that has enough water will have plump leaves that are firm to the touch.
Another way to determine if your succulent needs water is to check its weight. Water makes the plant and soil heavier, so some people are able to tell if their succulent needs water by feeling how heavy the planter is.
Signs of Too Much Water
If you’ve been giving your succulents a bit too much water or watering too frequently, you may notice that their leaves may become very fragile and start to fall off at even the slightest touch, such as moving or bumping into the pot. You may also see your leaves turning yellow, translucent, or looking mushy.
If the roots begin to rot, you will see black on the stem, and it can also have mushy spots. It’s always best to try to spot overwatering before it gets to this stage, but if some root rot has set in, it’s not always a death sign. Some succulents are hardier than others, and you may be able to dry them out and save them if you catch them in time.
In general, it’s always better to err on the side of underwatering vs. overwatering when it comes to succulents. It’s much easier to recover a succulent that is underwatered than one that is drowning.
Putting These Watering Tips Into Practice
While it technically comes down to the succulents in question, these tips can definitely help you to know how often to water your succulents. Plants in larger pots may need extra water, and some varieties need more water during the summer months or during very dry conditions.
Watering frequency will vary, but as you learn what works best for your plants to make them thrive, it will get easier and easier to keep those healthy succulents you know and love. If you bring home new plants, it may take some time to learn exactly what they love, but then you can get them on a similar watering routine.
Don’t be afraid to give your succulents a good soaking. As long as they have a properly draining pot, the succulent roots will get the water they need for healthy root growth and the extra water will just drain out.
How To Grow Succulents Indoors
Wednesday 17th of August 2022
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