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Succulents are known for their daring , but they do apprize surplus consideration during the winter . Most plants , including succulents and cacti , become dormant during the winter . Theyneed less body of water , light , and fertilizer , but the craft - off is that they can be damage by the cold . If you receive peculiarly chilly winter where you exist , succulent care can be intimidating . care for succulent in wintertime does n’t take to be difficult , though . These crest and tricks will help ensure your succulents stay glad and sizeable even in the coldest month .
Our ultimate guide to thriving succulents
While you might keep your succulents indoors , they ’re still bind to feel the gist of a seasonal modulation . Here ’s how to make certain the winter weather condition does n’t ache your dear plant .
Cut back on watering and fertilizing
The cardinal principle of succulent winter charge is to veer back on lacrimation . As plant life go dormant in the winter , they wo n’t use as much urine , so overwatering can result to root rot . irrigate your succulents and cacti good but infrequently . Once every one or two month should be sufficient for most succulent . The best time to water is when the soil is dry out and the parting look slightly crinkle .
cut back on fertilizer during the cold season is also a good rule of thumb . Plants do not need food for thought when they go dormant , so get your eating in before the temperature drops . Too much fertilizer can top to soft farewell that can rot and precipitate off .
Bring your succulents indoors
Succulents can tolerate a wide range of temperature , but they do have their limits . They ’re in reality sensitive to freezing because their leave of absence and stems store urine . Most succulent are intrepid down to 40 ° or 50 ° F. When freezing temperatures approach , bring your plants inside to keep them good . big succulents should hold up colder weather , but they can go through frost that damages plant life tissue paper on their Earth’s surface . Wondering how to keep succulents alive in wintertime indoors ? Give them bright indirect light anddon’t overwater them .
Protect your outdoor succulents
If you plan on keeping your succulents alfresco , deal covering them from the cold . While you may buy specialized Robert Frost blanket for plants , plenty of household item can do the job . Drape blankets and towels over your succulents and secure them with rock or brick . you could also place taped - down composition board boxes or planters over your succulents to isolate them from frost . Just ensure that there ’s copious room around your works so that the leaves do n’t break .
Avoid repotting succulents during the winter
The best times of year to replant your succulent are during spring or fall in milder temperatures . Succulents do n’t need to be repotted very often — every two long time is ordinarily good . If you must repot a new or potbound plant into a larger planter , verify you use well - draining and lightweight cactus soil . you may buy a ready - made mix or combine one part organic matter ( potting mix or coconut coir ) with two parts mineral material ( perlite or crushed rock ) for ideal drain .
How to care for specific succulents
So , what about specific types of succulents ? From echeverias to gilt barrel cacti , here are tips on how to give care for popular types of succulent in the wintertime .
Echeveria
Echeverias typically look like stemless rosettes , often developing into jewel - tone colours in sun . They ’re fond succulent that wo n’t do well in harsh frost , so bring them indoors and maintain a temperature of at least 50 degree Fahrenheit . During the winter , rationalize back on watering and only give them enough water to keep them from wrinkling . Be careful not to get water on the leave because they can moulder .
Aloe vera
A basic in most garden centers , aloe isan easy - go succulentwith heavy , serrated leaves . Aloe thrives in temperature between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit . Because aloe vera is mostly water , it dislike frost . Water your aloe plant just about once a month during the wintertime and wash the soil instead of soaking it .
Golden barrel cactus
You live a gold gun barrel cactus ( echinocactus grusonii ) when you see one . These rough-cut plants have dreary green bodies with sharp yellow spines . The bigger your plant is , the hardier it ’ll be against the force play of winter — old lucky bbl cacti can even survive in 20 to 25 degree Fahrenheit . If you keep your cactus indoors , give it as much sunlight as you’re able to and water every other calendar month .
Jade plant
live for their woody stems and thick , ellipse parting , jade plants are another succulent favorite . Also roll in the hay ascrassula ovata , they ’re generally loose - care plants but do have specific preferences . They ’re not frost - tolerant and should go inside if the temperature dips below 50 grade Fahrenheit . Jade plants are especially prone to root bunk , so only water them when their soil completely dries out . Like echeveria , their leaves may also molder if disclose to too much piddle .
Christmas cactus
Schlumbergera truncata , or the Christmas cactus , is a winter staple . During the holiday , it will produce coloured blooms when impart in long periods of darkness and cold temperatures around 50 degrees Farenheit . Unlike many cacti and succulent , it is native to tropical forests in South America , appreciating water and humidity . While this flora dislike squiffy foot , it does n’t wish to be entirely dried out . During the wintertime , water your Christmas cactus every two to three hebdomad when the top third of the filth feel dry .
Outdoor succulents in winter
Potted succulent should be brought indoors once the temperature take up to drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit on a regular fundament , but if you ca n’t bring them inside , then attempt to provide them with some shelter . This may mean moving potted succulents to a covered patio , place them under a tree , or simply covering them with a box . succulent planted in the terra firma need shelter as well , to keep snow and ice off of their leaves .
Mulch is also useful for keeping your succulent lovesome . bring a layer of mulch such as straw , dead leaves , or wood buffalo chip around the root of your succulents . Potted succulents can benefit from mulch as well . If possible , get your potted succulents off the ground . Even adding a simple layer of cardboard or mulch between the container and the primer coat will help protect the roots . This prevents the bottom of the succulent mass from becoming too insensate once the primer freezes .
If you populate in an area known for cold wintertime , you may need to fend off planting succulents immediately in the ground , and instead opt for potted succulent that can be moved during cold weather . If you do choose to grow succulent outdoors , look for a dusty stout succulent such as sedum or Perry ’s agave .
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Succulent precaution during the winter moil down to restraint — you ’re already onward of the curved shape if you entertain back on watering and fertilizing ! That say , succulent do appreciate extra persuasion and care . guarantee that your succulents receive visible light and outride warm will countersink them up for beautiful growth once spring arrives and will insure you ’ll still have beautiful dark-green plant around the house on those cold , dark winter month .
