Complete guide- Caring for Succulents and Sempervivums
Succulents and Sempervivums are wonderfully low-maintenance plants, making them lovely little gifts for both experienced plant lovers and complete beginners.
They don't need lots of attention, but a few simple things will help them stay healthy, compact and looking their best.
If you've arrived here from one of our care cards, this guide goes into a little more detail than our Succulent & Sempervivum Care: Top Tips for Happy, Healthy Plants guide.
Light & Position
Getting the right amount of light is one of the most important things you can do for your succulent.
As indoor plants, they need plenty of bright natural light. A bright windowsill is usually a great choice, although avoid placing your plant directly against very hot glass during periods of strong summer sunshine, as this can cause leaves to scorch.
Sempervivums are naturally sun-loving plants, so they particularly appreciate plenty of light. Other succulents can have slightly different requirements, but bright natural light is generally a good starting point.
If your plant isn't getting enough light, you may notice it beginning to stretch towards the light source. The leaves may become more widely spaced and the plant can lose its compact shape.
If possible, turn the pot every week or so. This helps the plant receive light more evenly and encourages more balanced growth.
🌿 In Summary
Bright natural light is best
A bright windowsill is ideal
Some direct sunlight is fine, but take care with very strong summer sun through glass
Turn the pot every week or so for more even growth
A comfortable indoor temperature of around 15–25°C is ideal
Succulents generally prefer lower humidity
Watering
Watering is probably the area where succulents need the most care – mainly because it's very easy to give them too much!
Succulents store water in their leaves, which means they can cope very well with periods of dryness. They are much more likely to suffer from overwatering than from being a little too dry.
When should I water?
Always check the compost before watering. Allow it to dry out completely before giving your plant another drink.
You can check by gently feeling the surface of the compost, or carefully checking a little further down with your finger. If it still feels damp, leave it for a while longer.
There isn't one watering schedule that works for every succulent. Your plant may need more frequent watering during warmer, brighter periods and very little during the cooler, darker months.
As a general guide, an indoor succulent may need watering around every couple of weeks during the warmer months, but always use the condition of the compost as your main guide.
How much should I water?
If your plant is in a pot with a drainage hole, water thoroughly and allow any excess water to drain away. Never leave the pot sitting in water.
For our tiny gift pots and enclosed containers, you'll need to be much more careful. Smaller containers hold less compost and some decorative or glass containers don't have drainage holes, meaning they can stay wet for much longer.
For these, a pipette, dropper or slow, small dribble of water from the tap can be useful. The aim is to moisten the compost without leaving it saturated.
What do the leaves tell me?
Your plant can also give you clues about whether it needs a drink.
Healthy, well-hydrated succulent leaves should generally feel firm and look plump. If the leaves become noticeably softer, thinner or wrinkled, your plant may be getting thirsty.
On the other hand, soft, mushy or translucent leaves can be a sign of too much water, particularly if the compost is still wet.
🌿 In Summary
Only water when the compost is completely dry
Water in the morning if possible
Check the leaves for signs that your plant needs a drink
Never leave your plant sitting in water
Take extra care with tiny or enclosed containers
When in doubt, less is best!
Pots & Drainage
Good drainage is important for healthy succulents because their roots don't like sitting in constantly wet compost.
If you're repotting your succulent, a pot with a drainage hole is ideal. This allows excess water to escape rather than collecting around the roots.
If you're keeping your succulent in a decorative container without drainage, be particularly careful with watering. Using a smaller amount of water and allowing plenty of time for the compost to dry between waterings can help reduce the risk of overwatering.
Our smaller gift arrangements are designed to be enjoyed as they are, but if you decide to keep your plant long-term and it has outgrown its container, repotting it into a suitable pot with drainage is a good idea.
Soil for Succulents & Sempervivums
Succulents need a growing medium that drains freely and doesn't stay wet for long periods.
When repotting, choose a peat-free cactus or succulent compost and, where appropriate, mix in some horticultural grit or another suitable mineral material to improve drainage.
The finished mix should feel gritty and free-draining rather than heavy and water-retentive.
You don't need to use rich, heavily fertilised compost. Succulents naturally grow in conditions where nutrients can be limited, and too much moisture is generally a bigger concern than too little nutrition.
🌿 In Summary
Choose a free-draining cactus or succulent compost
Peat-free compost is a good choice
Add horticultural grit or another suitable drainage material if needed
Avoid heavy compost that stays wet for long periods
A pot with drainage holes is ideal
Maintenance & Repotting
Succulents are relatively slow-growing and don't need lots of maintenance.
As your plant grows, you may notice older leaves around the outside of the plant becoming dry, brown or shrivelled. This is usually completely normal.
Once a dead leaf is ready to come away, it can generally be gently pulled from the plant by hand. If you prefer, you can use clean tweezers.
Avoid pulling at healthy leaves that are still firmly attached – they'll come away much more easily when they're ready.
When should I repot?
Your succulent won't necessarily need repotting every year. If it's happy in its current pot and has plenty of room, there's no need to disturb it.
Consider repotting if:
The plant has outgrown its container
Roots are becoming crowded
The compost is no longer draining well
You'd like to move it into a pot with drainage
Choose a pot only slightly larger than the existing one rather than moving it into a very large container. Too much extra compost can hold more moisture around the roots.
Pests & Common Problems
Although succulents are generally tough plants, they can occasionally develop pests or problems.
The good news is that many issues can be avoided by giving your plant the right growing conditions.
Soft or mushy leaves
This is often a sign of overwatering, especially if the compost is still damp.
Allow the compost to dry completely and check that excess water can drain away.
Wrinkled or shrivelled leaves
If the compost is completely dry and the leaves are becoming noticeably wrinkled or soft, your succulent may need a drink.
Give it a small amount of water and keep an eye on it over the following days.
Stretching or leaning
If your succulent is becoming tall, stretched or leaning towards a window, it probably isn't getting enough light.
Move it to a brighter position and turn the pot regularly.
Brown outer leaves
A few dry or brown leaves around the base are usually nothing to worry about. Older leaves naturally die back as the plant grows.
Simply remove them once they're ready to come away.
Pests
Succulents can occasionally attract pests such as mealybugs, aphids or scale insects.
Check your plant regularly, particularly around the base of the leaves and in any small gaps between them. If you spot pests, isolate the affected plant from other houseplants and remove the insects where possible.
For a persistent infestation, seek advice on a suitable treatment for the particular pest you've found.
🌿 In Summary
A few dying outer leaves are usually normal
Soft or mushy leaves can indicate overwatering
Wrinkled leaves can mean your plant needs water
Stretching usually means it needs more light
Check occasionally for pests
Good light and careful watering are the best prevention
Seasonal Care
Your indoor succulent's needs will change throughout the year.
Spring & Summer
As temperatures and light levels increase, your plant is likely to become more active and may need watering a little more often.
This is also a good time to repot if your plant needs it.
Autumn & Winter
As the days become shorter and darker, your succulent will generally grow more slowly and use less water.
Water much less frequently during the colder, darker months and always check that the compost has dried completely before watering again.
Try to keep your plant somewhere bright and away from cold draughts and very hot radiators.
Sempervivums are naturally very hardy and can tolerate cold temperatures much better than many other succulents. However, if you're keeping yours indoors, there's no need to expose it to particularly cold conditions simply for the sake of it.
Sempervivums can also change appearance throughout the year. Their colour, shape and growth rate can vary depending on the amount of light and the season.
So don't worry if your plant doesn't look exactly the same all year round – a little seasonal change is perfectly normal.
A Note About Sempervivums
Sempervivum means "always living" in Latin, which reflects just how tough these little plants can be.
They are naturally hardy succulents and are particularly good at coping with periods of dryness and colder conditions.
Although they can be enjoyed indoors as little gift plants, Sempervivums are naturally outdoor plants and, given the right conditions, can eventually thrive outside in a sunny, well-drained position.
If you decide to move yours outdoors, introduce it to stronger sunlight gradually rather than moving it straight from a sheltered indoor position into intense sunshine.
Most Importantly...
Don't worry about getting everything perfect!
Succulents are wonderfully forgiving plants. Give yours plenty of natural light, let the compost dry out between waterings and avoid the temptation to fuss over it too much.
When it comes to succulents, a little neglect is often better than a little too much love. 🌿
If you're looking for a quick reminder of the essentials, head back to our Succulent & Sempervivum Care: Top Tips for Happy, Healthy Plants.
Any questions at all feel free to message us!
You might also like...
Comments