Reviving succulents indoors requires a delicate balance of care and attention to transform these resilient plants into thriving, vibrant beauties. Succulents, known for their water-retaining capabilities and striking forms, often face challenges when brought indoors, where environmental conditions differ from their natural habitats.
This article serves as a comprehensive guide on how to revive succulents indoors, offering insights into proper watering techniques, suitable soil compositions, and the significance of lighting conditions.
Whether you’re nursing a neglected succulent back to health or seeking to enhance the well-being of your entire indoor succulent collection, understanding the unique needs of these desert-dwelling plants is key.
From addressing signs of overwatering to selecting the right containers and providing adequate sunlight, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure your indoor succulents not only survive but thrive in their new indoor environment.
Importance of Reviving Succulents Indoors
If you’re a plant lover, you’ve probably heard of succulents. Succulents are everywhere these days – in gardens and even as indoor decor. One of the main reasons why people love succulents is because they require very little maintenance.
However, despite their low-maintenance nature, your succulent may still die if not taken care of properly. That’s where reviving succulents indoors comes in.
Succulents are sensitive plants, and they need tender, loving care just like any other plant. It’s essential to revive them if you want to keep your indoor succulent collection thriving. Reviving succulents is not a difficult task, provided that you know what your plant needs and how to take proper care of it.
In this document, we’ll discuss the importance of reviving succulents indoors and how you can do it effectively.
Why Revive Succulents Indoors?
Succulents are hardy plants that can withstand harsh conditions such as drought and extreme temperatures. However, they are not invincible, and there are various reasons why your indoor succulent may start to die. Some common causes of succulent death include overwatering, inadequate sunlight, pest infestations, and using the wrong type of soil.
When your succulent starts dying, its leaves may become wilted and discolored, or it may even start rotting at the base. Reviving your succulents can help prevent these issues and bring your plant back to life.
10 Methods How to Revive Succulents Indoors
1. Provide Adequate Sunlight
One of the most important things you can do to revive your succulents indoors is to provide them with adequate sunlight. Succulents need at least four hours of direct sunlight per day, so make sure to place your plants in a spot that gets plenty of sun. If you don’t have access to natural sunlight, you can also use artificial grow lights or fluorescent bulbs.
2. Water Properly
Succulents need to be watered properly in order for them to thrive indoors. Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes people make when caring for succulents indoors, so make sure not to water too often or too much. Instead, wait until the soil is completely dry before watering and then only give your plants enough water to moisten the soil but not saturate it.
3. Prune Dead Leaves and Stems
If your succulent is looking a bit wilted or has dead leaves, then it’s time to prune them off. Use a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears and cut away any dead leaves or stems from the plant. This will help encourage new growth and keep your succulent healthy and vibrant.
4. Repot Into New Soil
If your succulent has been in the same pot for a while, then it may be time to repot into fresh soil. Choose a pot that is slightly larger than the previous one and fill it with well-draining cactus soil mix or potting soil with added sand or perlite for extra drainage. Make sure there are holes in the bottom of the pot for proper drainage as well!
5. Fertilize Regularly
Fertilizing your succulent regularly can help revive it by providing necessary nutrients that may be lacking from its current soil mix. Look for an organic fertilizer that is specifically formulated for cacti and succulents and apply according to package instructions every few weeks during active growing season (spring through fall).
6. Increase Humidity Around Plant
Succulents prefer higher humidity levels than what most indoor environments provide, so increasing humidity around your plant can help revive it if it’s looking a bit wilted or dry on its edges. You can increase humidity around your succulent by misting its leaves regularly with a spray bottle filled with lukewarm water or placing a humidifier near its location in your home or office space.
7. Check For Pests & Diseases
Sometimes pest infestations or diseases are responsible for why your succulent isn’t thriving indoors, so check carefully for signs of pests such as mealybugs, aphids, scale insects, etc., as well as fungal diseases like root rot, which can cause wilting leaves and stems on plants over time if left untreated.
8. Trim Away Damaged Parts
If you find any parts of your plant that have been damaged due to pests/diseases or environmental conditions like extreme temperatures, trim them away using scissors or pruning shears. This will help promote new growth on the plant while also preventing further damage from occurring.
9. Provide Good Drainage & Air Flow
Poor drainage combined with poor air circulation can lead to root rot in succulents, so make sure there are adequate drainage holes at the bottom of the pot and also ensure good airflow around the plant by leaving some space between each individual plant when grouping multiple together.
10. Keep Temperature Consistent
Succulents prefer warm temperatures during their active growing season (spring through fall ) but cooler temperatures during their dormant season (winter ), so make sure you keep the temperature consistent throughout both seasons by avoiding drafts from windows/doors as well as radiators/heaters.
Things to Consider Before Reviving Succulents Indoors
When deciding to revive succulents indoors, there are a few things you need to consider before getting started. Succulents are known for their resilience and ability to thrive in harsh conditions, but they still require some special care when brought indoors.
- Lighting: One of the most important factors to consider is lighting. Succulents require bright, indirect sunlight for at least 6 hours a day. If you don’t have a well-lit area in your home, you may need to supplement with artificial grow lights.
- Temperature: Succulents are typically accustomed to warm temperatures and can struggle in cooler indoor climates. It’s important to keep the temperature above 60°F (15°C) for your succulents to thrive.
- Watering: While succulents are drought-resistant, they still need regular watering to survive indoors. It’s essential to avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot and ultimately kill the plant.
- Soil: Succulents require well-draining soil to prevent water from pooling around the roots. When reviving succulents indoors, it’s best to use a specialized succulent or cactus mix that contains materials such as sand, perlite, or gravel.
- Pests: Before bringing your succulents indoors, make sure they are free of any pests or diseases. Inspect the plants thoroughly and treat them accordingly before introducing them into your indoor space.
- Size of the Plant: Consider the size of your succulents before bringing them indoors. Some succulent species can grow quite large and may not be suitable for indoor spaces with limited room.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Indoor Succulent Care
Succulents have become increasingly popular houseplants due to their low maintenance and unique appearance. However, despite their reputation for being easy to care for, many succulent owners end up making common mistakes that can lead to the death or poor health of their plants. In this section, we will discuss some of the most common mistakes to avoid when caring for succulents indoors.
Overwatering
One of the biggest mistakes that indoor succulent owners make is overwatering their plants. Succulents are adapted to survive in arid environments and do not require as much water as other houseplants. In fact, too much water can lead to root rot and ultimately kill the plant.
The key to avoiding overwatering is to water only when the top inch of soil is dry. It’s also important to make sure that the pot has proper drainage and not to leave excess water sitting in a saucer or tray.
Underwatering
On the other hand, some succulent owners may fall into the trap of underwatering their plants. While succulents can survive with minimal water, they still require some moisture to thrive. Signs of underwatering include leaves shriveling and wilting. To avoid this mistake, make sure to water your succulents thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry.
Lack of Adequate Light
Succulents need plenty of sunlight to grow and maintain their vibrant colors. Placing them in a dark corner of the house or in a room without windows will not provide enough light for them to thrive. If your succulents are struggling, try placing them near a sunny window or investing in grow lights.
Using the Wrong Soil
Succulents require well-draining soil that allows excess water to flow through and out of the pot quickly. Regular potting soil or garden soil will not provide the proper drainage and can lead to root rot. Instead, opt for a specialized succulent or cactus mix that contains materials such as sand, perlite, or pumice.
Neglecting Pests
Like any other plant, succulents are susceptible to pests such as mealybugs and spider mites. These pests can quickly spread and harm your plants if left untreated. To avoid pest infestations, regularly inspect your succulents for any signs of pests and treat them immediately if necessary. You can also use preventative measures such as neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Overcrowding
Succulents are often sold in small pots, making it tempting to keep them all together for aesthetic purposes. However, overcrowding your succulents can lead to competition for resources and hinder their growth. Make sure to repot your succulents into larger containers when they outgrow their current pots.
Conclusion
We have discussed some great tips on how to revive succulents indoors, but the biggest takeaway is this: all it takes is a little bit of extra effort and the consistency of following these steps each time you water. With proper care and attention, you can bring even the most neglected succulent back to life in no time.
By providing adequate sunlight, adjusting water preferences, removing rotting vegetation, and utilizing other related techniques you can make sure your beloved plants get plenty of TLC. Don’t forget to monitor for any pest issues or excessive dryness to keep your plants healthy and thriving!
