How to Care for Succulents During the Winter
Caring for succulents during the winter doesn't have to be hard! Knowing how to care for these stylish plants to enjoy them throughout the cold and colorless days of winter is just ahead of you!
Succulents can grow year round if given the correct growing conditions. There are two types of succulents, tender and hardy succulents. tender, such as aloe vera, cannot withstand our Southern Illinois weather. They prefer to stay above 50 degrees and flourish during our warm season. Hardy succulents such as sedums and sempervivum, can handle temperatures as low as -20 degrees. However, if you have them planted in a pot there is an chance that the pot will freeze and your succulent will die. So check the tag when you purchase your succulent and know that you need to bring them in prior to the fall frost. Nonetheless, I do bring my sempervivum indoors because I enjoy having the architectural plant detail in my home to admire. But before we discuss how to care for them indoors, here are a few items to consider before bringing them indoors.
If you have had your plants outdoors al summer and fall, spray insecticidal soap on the foliage to rid of any unwanted pests. Also spray the top of the soil with the soap and soak with water it into the soil. This will rid the soil of any insect that can cause problems during the winter. Closely observe under the leaves for insect eggs, you may need to reapply soap a few days later to catch any new born insects.
Remove any dead or dying foliage using clean scissors. This is give the plant a healthier appearance and reduce the stress of the plant.
Now that your plant is ready for the indoors, here are some tips to keeping your succulent healthy and not have them look like Ursula a the end of Little Mermaid!...if you know...you know. :-)
Find a sunny, preferably, southern exposure window. Remember succulents love warmth and sun! But just an fyi, keep plants away from heat vents, and drafty areas of your home. too cool or hot can have a dramatic dry out your plant too soon or even cook the root system of your plants.
Water more, but less frequently. Your succulent should be bone dry before you water them. Therefore, when I water I let the whole pot soak in a container of water. Then let it drain in my sink for a couple of hours. I only do this once a month.
It is completely normal for leaves to fall off during the winter. Succulents are not actively growing during the winter, therefore leaf shed is completely normal. Leaves aren’t mean
Since leaf shed is normal do not feel the urge to fertilize during the winter. These plants are not receiving enough sunlight to utilize the fertilizer.
That's it ladies and gents! I hope your succulents will be busting at the gills and ready for the outdoor life come this spring! In the meantime, enjoy those beauties and think warm weather during these cold months!
PS. If you are new to succulents here are a few of my favorites that are easy to grow.
Aloe Vera - Great texture and can use for apothecary uses
sempervivum (also Hens & chicks)- Come in a wide variety of colors
Snake plant- Can create drama in any home decor with its tall colorful foliage
Sedum- Love planting sedum outside and indoors. just make sure you are looking for a miniature such as burrito or cascading sedum like Little Missy.
I hope these simple and timesaving tricks will keep your succulents looking fantastic all winter, therefore you can enjoy the beauty of these unique plants!
-Carrie