How Long Can Succulents Live Without Soil?
Succulents are a type of plant that can store water in their leaves, stems, and their roots which means that they don’t need to rely on soil for moisture like other plants do. In fact, succulents can actually live without soil for extended periods of time!
While succulents can survive without any soil at all, this does not necessarily mean that they will thrive. This is because soil is an important source of nutrients for plants, and succulents are no exception.
Without soil, succulents will eventually start to decline in health. They may lose their leaves, stems, and their roots will start to shrink. For this reason it is best to keep the time your succulents are without soil to a minimum when potting them on.
What Soil Should You Use For Succulents?
If you’re growing succulents in containers, it’s really important that you use a succulent-specific potting mix which is designed to provide succulents with the drainage they need to stay healthy. If you’re growing succulents in the ground, you’ll want to make sure that the soil is well-draining.
How Often Should You Water Your Succulents?
In general, succulents should be watered about once a week but it may be that they need more or less water depending on the climate they’re in and the type of succulent.
When watering your succulents, make sure to avoid getting water on the leaves as this can cause them to rot – I remember watering my mum’s when I was much younger and I got water on the leaves of one plant. She was not happy!
It’s actually better if you water the soil around your succulent instead, until it is moist but not soggy.
You should also allow the soil to dry out completely before watering it again.
Do Succulents Need Sunlight?
Like all pants, succulents do need sunlight to grow, but too much direct sunlight runs the risk of scorching their leaves. To avoid this, it’s best to place succulents in an area that gets plenty of bright light but is not in direct sunlight.
If you live in a hot climate, succulents may need to be placed in a shaded area during the hottest hours of the day.
I have some of my succulents on a southwest facing window ledge – they get about 6 hours of direct sunshine in the summer months – while others I have on my mantelpiece which has a more limited amount of light. All of them a growing nicely.
How Often Should You Fertilize Succulents?
Succulents generally don’t need to be fertilized more than once a year. If you’re using a succulent-specific potting mix, it should already contain the nutrients succulents need to grow.
When fertilizing succulents, use a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus. This will help promote flowering and prevent succulents from becoming leggy.
I’m again going to be honest with you. I personally have never used a fertilizer for my succulents. I top up their soil when repotting them, but that is all. Those that flower still flower each year, and I’ve yet to lose a succulent of mine.
How Long Do Succulents Live?
I’ve previously covered how long succulents live, but briefly, the lifespan of a succulent will depend largely on the type of succulent.
Some succulents, such as sempervivums, can live for decades while others, such as echeverias, will only live for a few years.
However, with proper care, your succulents can thrive for many years – mine have, and some of them were very small cuttings taken from a friend.
By following the tips in this article, you can help your succulents stay healthy and live a long life!
