Five Mistakes People Usually Make with Succulents

Succulents are popular and tough plants that can be used as houseplants, but sometimes people make mistakes that can harm them. To keep your succulents thriving better, try and avoid these five common mistakes.

Using Pots Without Drainage Holes

To pair your indoor succulents with a pleasant looking plant pot seems tempting. However, housing your echeveria in a small ceramic container without any way to drain excess water from it will not end well. Almost every succulent prefers soil to be on the dry side (even succulent cuttings!), and a succulent container without drainage holes in it will cause overwatering of your plant. When not drained out, the water will pool in the bottom side of the plant's container and damage the roots.

Misting Succulents Instead of Watering

As succulents don't ask for much water to thrive, you might feel that misting can be a good option for avoiding overwatering. However, misting is suitable for a plant that belongs to the humid environment, such as ferns, air plants, and more like that. Succulents might get damaged and even rot with such treatment. Instead, you can use a succulent pot with drainage holes and well-draining potting mix for your succulents and water them whenever the soil seems completely dry.

Not Enough Watering

Succulents can survive for a long time without water, but it doesn't imply that you never have to water them at all or mist them a bit at a time. They can store water in their roots and even leaves for drought conditions. However, frequently depriving your succulents of water can make them shrivel up and shred leaves. Start noticing the soil when it seems dry. You can evaluate the soil by inserting your finger in it, and if it's moist, don't water for a couple of days, and if it is dry, water it. Succulents in small individual pots can be prone to overwatering.

Not Receiving Enough Light

Succulents are desert plants, and they require a considerable amount of bright and sometimes direct light to grow ideally. They are tough indoor plants, so many people think they can be placed anywhere in the home, even in the darkest spots where no natural sunlight strikes. Succulents like snake plants can tolerate low light conditions, but most love to grow in bright sunlight. If you want your indoor succulents to survive in a dark room, you need to invest in an artificial grow light so they can get the necessary light that they would normally get in succulent gardens.

Housing With Non-Succulents or Too Many Plants

There is a wide range of excellent succulent arrangements available, but not all survive for a long time. It's a fact that succulents can tolerate tight quarters much happier than other plants. However, ultimately, they all will begin to fight for their nutritious resources like water and soil nutrients if you have crammed many of them altogether. Additionally, you need to avoid planting your succulents with plants having different care requirements. Planting your drought-resistant succulents in a single pot with ferns that love consistently wet soil will cause one or both of your plants to suffer a lot. For succulent arrangements, in the long run, you can go for a dish garden. It will allow you to grow multiple succulents efficiently in a single container while also providing them enough room to flourish.