LightÂ
- Succulents need at least 3 hours of direct sunlight daily
- Morning sun is preferable, as afternoon sun can be too harsh
- Too much sun can damage succulents and cause sunburn or a washed out color
- In hot climates, it is best to keep succulents in areas with filtered sunlight
- Succulents that do not receive enough sun may grow tall or reach towards the sun, and may change color
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WaterÂ
- Succulents store water in their leaves or stems and do not need frequent watering
- Water succulents when the soil is dry, soaking the soil and waiting until it is dry again before watering
- Most succulents need to be watered once a week, but this can vary based on climate and soil conditions
- It is better to underwater rather than overwater if you are unsure of how often to water
- Avoid letting the roots stay wet for long periods of time to prevent rot, which can be identified by black, mushy leaves and mold growth.
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SoilÂ
- Well-draining soil is essential for succulents as too much moisture can cause rot
- Succulent roots absorb water from the air, making well-draining soil important
- Use cactus mix potting soil or a homemade mixture of stone pebbles, wood mulch, and clay pebbles for well-draining soil
- The stone pebbles in the homemade mixture create pockets for water to drain, while the mulch and clay slowly release moisture to the roots.
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PropagatingÂ
One of the excellent qualities of succulents is their ability to propagate easily. You can often start a new plant from leaf or a plant cutting. Some types of succulents propagate better from a cutting rather than a leaf. The succulents with the thick, fleshy leaves are best suited to leaf propagation.Â
- Use a gentle twist to remove a leaf for propagation, or use scissors or pruning shears to cut off a stem above a leaf for cuttings
- Allow the end of the leaf or cutting to dry and scab over before planting
- Plant the cutting or lay the leaf on top of soil and mist with water when the soil is dry
- Roots should appear within 4 to 6 weeks, at which point they should be covered with soil to prevent drying out
- Propagation may take up to a year for the new plant to fully grow