How to Care for Succulent Plants in the Winter
Succulents are great plants to grow in hot arid climates. They need little water and usually require just as little care. Plus, they usually look nice year-round. However, if you live in an area that freezes, you might have to protect your succulent plants from the winter weather. Freezing temperatures can kill succulent plants that aren’t properly cared for. Caring for succulent plants in the winter is pretty easy, however, as they don’t require much work.
Stop giving succulent plants excess water in the late fall. Succulent plants need the lack of water to prepare them for the coming winter months.
- Succulents are great plants to grow in hot arid climates.
- However, if you live in an area that freezes, you might have to protect your succulent plants from the winter weather.
Make sure the soil the succulent plants are planted in is well drained. Succulent plants need to stay dry during the winter months because damp roots can kill them. Improve the drainage of your soil by adding sand.
Water succulent plants sparingly during the winter, if at all. If you must water your succulent plants, water them only once every two weeks to once a month for 5 minutes a watering. Do not water your succulent plants if the ground is frozen.
Cover any succulent plants that aren't hardy below freezing with frost cloth. Cover the entire plant with the frost cloth while the temperature is below freezing. Remove it once the temperature rises.
- Make sure the soil the succulent plants are planted in is well drained.
- Cover any succulent plants that aren't hardy below freezing with frost cloth.
Leave succulents plants hardy below freezing uncovered during the winter months. They need the air circulation to keep them dry.
Care For Succulents Indoors During The Winter
Succulents are considered low-maintenance plants even when grown indoors. These plants offer unusual shapes, textures and forms. Succulents need less light during the winter than when they are actively growing during the summer. Some succulents such as Aeoniums may do better in a cool room or basement, between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, to allow them to rest during the winter. Over-watering them can lead to root rot. Check the leaves of your succulents every month for aphids or mealybugs, which look like tiny cotton balls. Look under the leaves as well. Move an infested succulent away from other plants. Fill a spray bottle with 3 parts rubbing alcohol mixed with 1 part water, and mist it onto the plant to kill the pests.
- Leave succulents plants hardy below freezing uncovered during the winter months.
- Some succulents such as Aeoniums may do better in a cool room or basement, between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, to allow them to rest during the winter.
Tip
Leave snow on any cold hardy succulent plants because it will keep them warmer than being exposed to the elements.
Warning
Do not mulch over succulent plants in the winter because mulch retains too much moisture. Succulent plants need to be kept dry during the winter.
References
- Winter Care of Succulents
- Tips for Winter Care
- The Old Farmer’s Almanac: Aloe Vera
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: Succulent Basics
- Washington State University Chelan County Extension: Growing and Caring for Succulents
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Cacti and Succulents
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Insect Pests of Cacti and Succulents Grown as House Plants
- Plants Rescue: Aeonium arboreum
Resources
Tips
- Leave snow on any cold hardy succulent plants because it will keep them warmer than being exposed to the elements.
Warnings
- Do not mulch over succulent plants in the winter because mulch retains too much moisture. Succulent plants need to be kept dry during the winter.
Writer Bio
Hollan Johnson is a freelance writer and contributing editor for many online publications. She has been writing professionally since 2008 and her interests are travel, gardening, sewing and Mac computers. Prior to freelance writing, Johnson taught English in Japan. She has a Bachelor of Arts in linguistics from the University of Las Vegas, Nevada.