Echeveria are native to the semi-desert regions of Mexico, Central, and Northwestern South America where they tolerate long stretches between rainfall events. The juicy leaves have evolved to hold enough moisture to sustain the plant's functional needs during these periods of drought. Growing Echeveria indoors is most successful when a pattern of drenching and drying the plant can be established.
How To Tell If Echeveria Needs Water
Echeveria leaves are naturally fleshy and robust when full of just the right amount of water. Plants that need watering will begin to have lower leaves that are shriveled moving to the younger leaves as they continue to require watering. This state of underwatering is usually reversible with a good soaking every 3-5 days until the plant returns to its normal state.
Potting soil that is so dried up that it pulls away from the container and crispy leaves all over the plant are two other signs that underwatering needs to be corrected.
Unfortunately overwatering your Echeveria is a much more common issue and can lead to death of the plant much quicker than underwatering. Leaves that begin to look pale or even opaque are bloated by trying to hold too much water. Brown and black mushy spots or whole leaves indicate rot diseases that have infiltrated your plant. Quick action is needed to reverse overwatering.
Repotting your Echeveria in fresh, better-draining potting mix and a pot with excellent bottom drainage will reverse overwatering as long as the main stem has not shown any signs of rotting. Once the main stem is showing signs of water stress, taking cuttings of still healthy leaves is the only way to keep the plant growing.
How To Water Echeveria
Watering needs to be checked more often during the spring and summer when overall growth will be the strongest. Once a week inspect that the plant has no signs of underwatering and feel the soil in the pot to see if it has dried. Any soil that is still damp means that you need to give your plant a couple more days before watering. Soaking and draining the plant is most effective for succulents. Small pots should be watered from the bottom to ensure that no water settles inside the tightly swirled rosette of leaves.
Place the pot in a couple of inches of water in a sink or basin and allow it to sit until all of the potting mix is saturated. Take the pot out of the water and allow it to drain well before replacing it back in its regular growing spot. Larger pots that may be too heavy to move can be watered in place until water runs from the bottom of the container. Allow the pot to sit in the water in the saucer or cache pot for up to 30 minutes and then empty it out.
Reduce watering in the fall and winter as the growth naturally slows. Anywhere from 14-21 days between waterings is normal during the shortest days of the year.
Ideally, collected rainwater is what you use for Echeveria. It is naturally free of chemicals like fluoride and chlorine and will help to keep your plant's potting mix slightly acidic like they prefer. Filtered tap water is a close second place. Bonus points if you let it sit for over 24 hours so that any residual chlorine or fluoride can dissipate.
Echeveria Watering Tips
- Allow the potting soil to fully dry between waterings
- Overwatering is much more harmful long term than underwatering
- Water from the bottom if possible to prevent the leaves from collecting water
Sources:
“Succulents in Your Home: Growing Non-Cacti Succulents Indoors.” New York Botanical Garden. www.libguides.nybg.org
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Author Robbin Small - Published 12-27-2024 |