How to Take Care of Succulents Without a Green Thumb

Succulents are trendy indoor plants that many people struggle to keep alive. They’re very different from a pot of daisies or a rose bush, but you’re about to learn their secrets. Read this guide to discover how to take care of succulents without a green thumb so you can keep all the plants that match your aesthetic.

1. Give Them Plenty of Light

Although succulents come in many shapes and sizes, most are related to cacti. They’ll need much more light than your typical plant. Instead of finding partial-shade spots in your home, you’ll need to put your succulents in direct sunlight for most of the day.

If you live in a region with frequent cloudy skies or don’t have a window facing the sun, buy an artificial plant light. Your succulents will do well without natural sunshine as long as it emits 2,000 lumens per square foot of light.

2. Rotate Them as Needed

It’s always a smart idea to rotate your plants. They only get their sunshine from one direction, which applies to indoor succulents too. Rotate them at least once a day so every side of your plant gets enough sunlight to grow.

This is often the step that people forget. Their succulents wither and die because only one side has enough light to produce chlorophyll. You don’t need to find a good fake plant to add a bit of greenery to your house. Your succulents will thrive if they get enough light and rotate every once in a while.

3. Learn Their Growth Period

The spring and summer months have more sunshine, so they’re the best growth period for succulents. Some plants prefer damp soil to grow, but succulents prefer a dryer environment due to their slow water intake. They’ll only need watering slightly more frequently during those seasons than in the fall and winter. Test the soil around your succulents with your finger and a ruler once a day. The first 1.25 inches should be dry before it’s time to water them again.

4. Research Common Succulent Pests

Every plant eventually falls prey to pests. Your succulents could suffer if you don’t know what to watch for in your home, especially if you place them by the window or overwater them.

Keep an eye out for common succulent pests like:

• Aphids
• Mealybugs
• Spider mites
• Ants
• Fungus gnats

Dry soil and leaves will keep pests away from your plants. As long as you don’t overwater them, they may never come into contact with these insects.

5. Keep the Leaves Dry

While watering typical plants, you’d likely sprinkle water droplets all over the leaves and soil. Succulents are very different. Water should only ever touch the dirt around them. If it lingers on the leaves, the water will quickly start to rot the planet cells beneath it. Damp soil also invites pests to make new homes and eat your succulents, so carefully pour water around the base of each plant to prevent that from happening.

Learn How to Take Care of Succulents

Anyone can learn how to take care of succulents without a green thumb. You don’t need a natural ability to keep plants alive to fill your home with thriving succulents. All you need is to follow these tips and you’ll have a beautiful indoor garden in no time.