How to Take Care of Succulent Plants in Winter and Keep Them Healthy

As the temperature drops, it's essential to adjust your succulent care routine to ensure they thrive during the winter months. Succulents need less water during this time, so be cautious not to overwater.

To maintain humidity, consider placing your succulents on a tray filled with water and pebbles, which can help retain moisture in the air. This simple trick can make a big difference in keeping your succulents happy and healthy.

Succulents are sensitive to frost, so if you live in an area with freezing temperatures, bring your plants indoors or move them to a protected spot outside. This will help prevent damage and ensure they survive the winter.

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During the winter, succulents need less water, so reduce watering to once every 7-10 days.

Succulents also prefer cooler temperatures, ideally between 40-55°F (4-13°C), to thrive in the winter.

Watering too much can cause root rot, a common problem in succulents during the winter months.

Keep your succulents in a bright, sunny spot, but avoid direct sunlight, which can cause burning.

By following these basic care tips, you can help your succulents survive and even thrive during the winter season.

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Winter can be a challenging time for succulents, but one thing to expect is leaf loss. This is a natural part of their growth cycle.

Lower leaves will often dry and shrivel before falling off in the winter months, and it's not a cause for concern. I was relieved to hear this from the patient woman who owns the plant shop in my neighborhood, who told me to repeat this mantra when I feel anxious about my plant's health.

In fact, leaf loss can occur in the summer months too, especially when new growth is coming in. However, if you notice leaves starting to shrivel towards the top of the plant, it could be a sign of over-feeding or too much water, which can be detrimental to your succulent's roots.

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As we enter the cool weather season, nights get noticeably chilly, down to the 40s and 50s, and plants start to show some nice cool weather blushing.

Daytime highs are typically in the 70s, making it a nice, mild time of year.

The dry, hot Santa Ana wind conditions can make humidity plummet into the single digits, drastically increasing fire risk.

This can also mean that soil dries out faster, so even though the weather is mild, bordering on cool, the succulents may still need water nearly as often as they did during the hotter months.

In December, days are short, and any dormant plants are distinctly dormant by this time.

It's a good idea to research your plants' dormancy pattern and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

January and February are the coldest months of the year, with average lows in the mid 30s, and daytime highs rarely above 70F.

This is also when rain starts to come in, making it tough for plants that come from regions that are only cold when it's dry.

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Winter is a challenging time for succulent plants, but with the right preparation, you can help them thrive.

Most succulents need a period of cooler temperatures to induce dormancy, with ideal temperatures ranging from 40°F to 70°F (4°C to 21°C).

As the days get shorter, reduce watering to once every 4-6 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Succulents prefer bright, indirect light during the winter months, so move them to a spot with filtered sunlight or use grow lights.

Some succulents, like Aloe and Echeveria, can tolerate frost, but most others will suffer damage or die if exposed to freezing temperatures.

To protect your succulents from frost, bring them indoors or move them to a protected outdoor area, such as a greenhouse or a cold frame.

By following these simple steps, you can help your succulents survive the winter months and come back strong in the spring.

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Before bringing your succulents indoors for the winter, make sure to move them away from any cold temperatures that can drop below freezing. Soft succulents, in particular, need to be brought back indoors before the cold weather sets in.

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Check your succulents for any unwanted guests like ants, spiders, or other small bugs that might have hitched a ride on them. Clear away any dead leaves, twigs, and debris from the surface of the soil to give your succulents a clean stay over the winter.

Succulents are adapted to dry, arid environments, which means they can hold onto water for long periods of time. This trait is what gives them their special beauty, but it also requires some special care.

If your succulents are used to full sun, make sure to give them a spot with plenty of direct sunlight. However, if they're from a shadier environment, they might prefer indirect sunlight. Keep an eye on them to make sure they're not getting sunburned, and if you see them leaning towards the window, it might be a sign that they need more light.

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Winter can be a challenging time for succulents, but with the right care, they can thrive. Most succulents need a period of cooler temperatures, between 40-55°F (4-13°C), to stay healthy.

Watering is key during winter, as succulents need less moisture when they're dormant. Water your succulents sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Reducing watering also means less risk of root rot, which can be a major issue during the winter months.

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Feed succulents sparingly, especially during the winter months. This is because they only require fertilizer during the warmer part of the year, when they're actively growing.

Overfertilizing in colder months can cause succulents' leaves to get soft and fall off. This condition is often referred to as "Little Tim's Disorder", although it's not a real medical condition.

As the days get shorter and colder, it's essential to think about how you can help your succulents thrive during the winter months. Succulents appreciate containers with proper drainage because they like to have their roots soaked when they're being watered.

Glass planters with solid bottoms are a no-go, as they can cause your plants' leaves to rot and attract pests. This happened to me last winter when I forgot to check the drainage of my succulent's pot.

Terra cotta or ceramic pots with drainage holes are a much better option, and you can even use mesh tape or cheesecloth to keep the soil from falling out.

As the weather cools down, it's time to give your succulents some TLC. Remove any dried leaves in the fall to prevent rot and keep your plants looking tidy.

A soggy leaf can be a death sentence for a succulent, so it's essential to remove them before they cause any harm. In climates with cold, wet winters, this is especially crucial.

Repotting your succulents in the fall can also be beneficial. Use a well-draining, sandy soil that's specifically designed for cacti and succulents, and make sure the pot has ample drainage holes.

Watering is where many succulent owners go wrong. Give your plants a good soaking when you do water them, but make sure the top inch of soil is completely parched in between waterings. This will help prevent root rot and keep your plants healthy.

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If you live in a colder climate, it's essential to know which succulents you own and what temperatures they can tolerate. Aeoniums, for example, are generally very sensitive to freezing temperatures.

In areas where temperatures only drop below freezing for a few nights, you can use a frost cloth to cover your succulents on those coldest nights. However, this is not a long-term solution for consistently cold climates.

Don't risk leaving your succulents out during extreme cold, even if they appear to be okay. Often, frost damage takes 2-3 days to show up, and it can cause dark, mushy tissue to form on the plant.

If you live in a chilly climate, you'll want to focus on frost-hardy outdoor plants that can withstand the cold. These plants are the perfect choice for areas that experience frost.

Some examples of frost-hardy plants include pansies, violas, and snapdragons, which can tolerate temperatures as low as 25°F (-4°C).

In addition to these plants, you can also consider using winter-hardy succulents like aloe and echeveria, which can survive temperatures as low as 10°F (-12°C).

Choose plants that are native to your region for the best results, as they will be more adapted to the local climate and frost patterns.

Some plants, like boxwood and holly, can even tolerate temperatures as low as 0°F (-18°C) and still come back healthy in the spring.

Frost damage can be a real heartbreaker, especially if you're not prepared. It's not a pretty sight, with dark mushy tissue and burst plant cells.

In areas with mild winters, a frost cloth can be used to cover succulents on the coldest nights. However, this is not a long-term solution for colder climates.

If you live in a colder climate, don't risk leaving your succulents out during extreme cold, even if they appear to be okay. Frost damage can take 2-3 days to show up.

Aeoniums are generally very sensitive to freezing temperatures, so it's essential to know which succulents you own and what temperatures they can tolerate. Check out our Types of Succulents page for information on various succulent varieties.

If your succulents already suffered from cold exposure, move them somewhere out of the cold to prevent further damage. Don't water too soon, as this can cause the succulent to rot and die.

Let the frostbitten areas dry out for several days, and possibly weeks, depending on the severity of the damage. Cutting off the damaged areas can help the succulent survive, but the damaged areas won't grow back.

Wait another 2-3 days before watering after cutting off the damaged areas, allowing the cuts to callous over and heal. Then, start watering your succulent following the soak and dry method to encourage healthy root growth.

Succulents don't need as much water in the winter because they're dormant, so once every four to six weeks should do the trick.

Indoor spaces get less sunlight in the winter, so it's essential to put sun-loving succulents near a sunny window and rotate the pots regularly to prevent stretching and fading.

Some succulents, like my Aeonium 'Zwartkop', are winter growers and will need more frequent watering, but be careful not to overwater, as this can be deadly to your succulents.

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Watering and fertilizing your succulents in the winter months requires a different approach than during the growing season. In fact, it's recommended to withhold water altogether, allowing your succulents to go without water for four to six weeks.

The key is to water thoroughly, soaking the roots, and then letting the excess water drain from the pot. This will help prevent waterlogged soil, which can lead to rot.

If you live in an area with cold, wet winters, consider protecting your succulents from water dripping from roofs and trees. You can do this by moving them under a roof or positioning a clear rain cover at least 18 inches above them.

As a general rule, reduce your watering frequency in the winter, only watering if the soil is completely dry. This is especially true for most succulents, with the exception of winter growers like Aeonium, Aloe, and Haworthia.

Here are some key tips to keep in mind:

Succulents need at least 8 hours of bright indirect sunlight each day to maintain their shape indoors.

The ideal window for succulents is one that gets bright, indirect sunlight all day.

You'll want to place your succulents near the brightest window in your home to ensure they get enough sunlight.

Winter days are shorter, so this is especially important to prevent your succulents from stretching out or leaning toward the window.

If your succulents start to stretch out or lean, you can rotate them to help offset the leaning.

But to prevent stretching, you may need to supplement with a grow light, especially if you live in an area with lots of gray or cloudy days in the winter.

If you're looking for succulents that can thrive in cold climates, consider Sempervivum heuffelii, which keep their vibrant colors even in winter.

Some succulents are naturally more resilient to frost than others. Sedum varieties, for example, make fantastic ground cover in almost all climates.

For indoor succulents, Kalanchoe and Senecio are great options if you have a sunny window or grow light.

If you're short on natural light, consider Haworthia, Jade (Crassula), Gasteria, or Air Plants (Tillandsia) as they can tolerate low-light conditions well.

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