Succulent Plants Dying: Causes and Solutions

Succulent plants are known to be low-maintenance, but they can still die if not cared for properly. Overwatering is a common cause of death in succulents.

If you're underwatering your succulent, it's likely to shrivel up and lose its plumpness. This is because succulents store water in their leaves, so if they don't get enough water, they'll start to dry out.

Succulents need good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases that can cause root rot. This can be achieved by placing them a few inches away from any walls or other plants.

If your succulent is suffering from root rot, it's essential to repot it in fresh soil and trim away any affected roots.

Worth a look: What Succulents Can Be Planted Together?

If your succulent has a black stem or black spots, it's worth doing a little surgery to save it. Just cut off the top of your plant, trim away any black spots, give the cutting three to five days to dry out, then propagate it in new soil.

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Most succulents can easily go three days without water, so when in doubt, wait before watering again. This will help prevent over-watering, which can be detrimental to your succulent's health.

If your succulent is under-watered, soaking the soil really well when you water can help it recover quickly. Just make sure to check out a post on how to water succulents to do this the right way.

To revive an under-watered succulent, water therapy can be an option, but it's only for under-watered succulents and should be used with caution.

Placing a wilted succulent away from direct sunlight can help it recover. This is especially true for cacti, which generally need partial shade or indirect light for best growth.

Removing rotten roots and excess soil can also help revive a succulent. If the roots appear black or brown, they need to be removed, and the plant should be left to dry out for a few days before replanting.

The right soil mix for succulents is important, and it should include a mix of perlite or pumice, poultry grit or sand, and potting soil. A good ratio is 16-17% perlite or pumice, 32-34% poultry grit or sand, and 48-49% potting soil.

Related reading: Do Succulent Plants Need Water

Black succulents are a clear indication of overwatering, which can be fatal to your plant.

Succulent leaves turning yellow is another common sign of succulent death, often caused by too much water.

Brown succulents are a result of root rot, which can be caused by excess moisture.

Wrinkly succulent leaves are a sign of dehydration, which can be caused by underwatering.

Wilting succulent plants can be a result of both overwatering and underwatering.

Dry succulent leaves are a clear indication of dehydration.

Succulent leaves closing up can be a sign of stress, often caused by too much water.

Succulent losing all leaves is often a result of root rot.

Soggy succulent leaves are a sign of overwatering.

Translucent succulent leaves are a sign of root rot.

Here are the signs of succulent death to look out for:

Environmental factors can be a major contributor to succulent plants dying. Overwatering is a common issue, as succulents are prone to root rot if their soil is consistently waterlogged.

Pests and diseases can also thrive in humid environments, making it essential to maintain good air circulation around your succulents. This can be achieved by placing them at least a few inches away from any walls or other plants.

A sudden change in temperature can shock your succulents, causing them to drop their leaves or turn yellow. This is especially true for succulents that are sensitive to frost, such as aloe vera.

On a similar theme: Which Succulents Can Be Planted Together?

Too Much Sun can be a real issue for plants, leading to unsightly sunburn scorch marks that will not go away until the plant grows out.

If you notice your plant is getting scorched, it's likely due to prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

Sunburn scorch marks can be a permanent reminder of neglect, so make sure to provide your plant with some shade or filtered light.

This can be especially true for plants that are sensitive to sunlight, so keep an eye out for any signs of distress.

By moving your plant to a shadier spot, you can prevent further damage and give it a chance to recover.

Discover more: Succulent Plants Sunlight

High temperatures can be detrimental to your succulents, causing them to die. This is especially true in arid and warm-climate regions.

Richa Kedia from Simplify Plants warns that high temperatures may be the culprit behind your succulents' demise. To save a dying succulent, you can correct the watering and move them to a spot that gets 3-4 hours of direct sunlight.

If you live in a warm climate, it's best to keep your succulents in a room where you use air conditioning. After moving her succulents from her living room to her home office, Richa noticed a significant improvement in their health.

Succulents, being from dry desert-like areas, are accustomed to temperatures of 35+ degrees Fahrenheit.

Most succulents store water in their leaves, which makes them susceptible to frost and rotting when temperatures drop.

The chunkier the leaves, the more vulnerable a succulent is to frost and rotting.

It's essential to remember that water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a critical temperature for succulents.

Plants outside of their designated climate hardiness zone will need to be brought indoors or into a warm greenhouse to survive the cold months.

Best to plant succulents in containers, making it easy to transport them indoors when necessary.

The climate hardiness zone will determine what plants can be safely planted outdoors in your area.

Frost hardy succulents are an exception, but the rest will need protection from the cold temperatures.

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Succulents are sensitive to their environment, and the soil and planters they're in can be a major contributor to their demise.

Repotting in fresh soil can be a lifesaver for severely root-rotted plants. Use clean, sharp shears to cut away affected leaves and trim away any black and mushy roots.

Some planters, especially those made of plastic or glazed ceramic, can be too moist for succulents. Consider switching to a terra cotta container, which wicks away moisture more quickly.

The wrong soil can also be a killer. Use fresh succulent soil with lots of drainage to give your plant the best chance of survival.

Take a look at this: Soil Mix for Succulent Plants

Succulents need fast-draining soil to thrive, so using traditional soil meant for roses, grass, or trees will kill them. Traditional soil holds onto moisture and stays wet longer.

You can find succulent and cacti soil at any home and garden store, and it's a must-have for these plants. Bonus points if you grab some perlite to add to the mix for optimal drainage.

If you use the wrong soil, your succulent will suffer. In fact, using traditional soil will guarantee its demise.

Planters can be a threat to your succulents, and it's not just because of the type of soil used. A terra cotta container is actually a good option as it wicks away moisture more quickly than plastic or glazed ceramic.

Overwatering is a common issue, and using a planter that doesn't allow for good drainage can make it worse. Try to avoid giving the top of the actual plant any water, and if it happens, it's not the end of the world.

Some planters can be more prone to causing root rot than others. If you do need to repot your succulent, use fresh succulent soil with lots of drainage to help prevent this.

Repotting may be necessary if your succulent is suffering from severe root rot, which can be caused by overwatering. Use clean, sharp shears to cut away affected leaves and trim away any black and mushy roots.

For more insights, see: What Type of Soil for Succulent Plants

Overwatering can lead to root rot, a common cause of succulent death.

Fungal diseases like botrytis and fusarium can infect succulents through wounds or waterlogged soil, causing them to turn yellow and drop their leaves.

Root mealybugs and spider mites can suck the sap from succulents, causing them to become discolored and wilted.

These pests can be treated with insecticidal soap or neem oil, but it's essential to identify the problem early on to prevent further damage.

Rotting succulents can be a real bummer, but identifying the issue is the first step to saving your plant. You'll notice succulent leaves turn black, especially the bottom leaves.

Brown and mushy stems are another telltale sign of a rotting plant, often caused by too much water.

Overwatering is the main culprit behind mushy succulent leaves, rotting stems, and roots.

Succulent wilting, yellow leaves, and soft, wrinkly leaves are all symptoms of a plant that's been getting too much water.

If your plant is falling apart in the slightest wind or touch, it's likely due to being waterlogged.

Continuing to overwater will ultimately lead to a dead succulent in your garden.

For your interest: Do You Have to Water Succulent Plants

Bacterial disease is caused by wet soil that gets into contact with bacteria in the air. This can happen when spores in the air land on wet soil or succulents with an open wound.

Fungal disease is also caused by wet soil that gets into contact with fungus in the air. Spores in the air can land on wet soil or succulents with an open wound, causing the fungus to spread.

Sunlight can actually help kill both bacterial and fungal diseases. It has two nifty ways to do this, but we'll cover that in the next section.

Check this out: Do Succulent Plants Clean the Air

Overwatering is one of the most common reasons why succulents die. In cooler months, it's especially common, as the problem is less likely to be overheating.

Succulents need to dry out completely between waterings, but this can take anywhere from 3 to 7 days, depending on the plant and environment. If you're unsure, it's better to wait a few extra days than to risk overwatering.

If you notice your succulent's leaves are turning yellow or becoming soggy, it's likely suffering from overwatering. Black stems or mushy leaves are also signs of overwatering.

To save an overwatered succulent, cut back on watering and make sure the soil is completely dry before watering again. You may also need to switch to a better soil mixture and use a pot with a drainage hole.

Here are some signs of overwatering:

Underwatering is also a problem for succulents, especially for certain types like Portulacaria afra and Senecio haworthii. If your succulent's upper leaves are starting to wrinkle and get dry and crispy, it's probably time to give it more water.

Some succulents can go a week or more without water, but it's always better to err on the side of caution and check the soil before watering.

Broaden your view: How Often Do You Water Succulent Plants

Other problems can arise with succulent plants, aside from over or under watering. These may include stretching out, bug infestations, internal infections, and more.

You can identify early signs of problems by paying close attention to your succulents. This will make it much easier to save your succulent before things get too out of hand.

Stretching out is a common issue where the succulent grows unevenly, often due to insufficient light. Bug infestations can also occur, especially if your succulents are not properly cleaned or if you bring them indoors during the winter months.

Internal infections can be caused by a variety of factors, including overwatering or physical damage. These problems can be prevented or addressed early on by keeping a close eye on your succulents and taking prompt action when you notice any issues.

To tell if your succulent is healthy, look for the right color and texture. A healthy succulent typically has plump, firm leaves that are a vibrant green color.

If your succulent's leaves are turning yellow, it's a sign that something's wrong. This can be a result of overwatering, which can also cause the leaves to become soft and translucent.

Check the leaves for any signs of wrinkling or dryness. If they're wrinkly or dry, it's likely that your succulent is underwatered.

Here are some signs of a healthy succulent:

If your succulent's leaves are drooping under their weight, it's a sign that they're overwatered. This can also cause the leaves to become soft and translucent.

Pay attention to the color and texture of your succulent's leaves. If they're black, brown, or have a soft, fuzzy texture, it's likely that your succulent is overwatered.