How to Grow Succulents Indoors

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Today, we are going to talk about growing succulents indoors. This can also be applied to cactus. I’ve had some viewers ask about growing succulents indoors, and naturally, TKJ was one of those subscribers who asked about that, so thank you for asking. I believe Christina, you also asked about that, so today, I’m going to talk to you about how to keep your succulents happy and healthy in your indoor garden. We’ll likely be doing future videos where we delve more deeply into various areas, but for today, we’ll provide an overview on growing them.

One of the great things about succulents is that they make a really nice decorative design element for your indoor garden. For instance, this Sansevieria is a beautiful, architectural plant. At night, if you have some lighting, the shadows cast by this plant look gorgeous against a wall or backdrop. Here is a jade plant that is growing nicely as well. Jades do really well indoors, and succulents in general can thrive indoors if you follow a few basic rules to keep them happy and healthy.

There’s really only one way to kill a succulent, and that’s by giving it too much water. Unlike many other houseplants, you only need to water your succulents once or twice a month, and sometimes it may only be once a month. This depends on where the plant is located in your home and the climate. I have a video explaining how your outdoor climate affects your indoor environment for plants, so keep that in mind.

The best way to water succulents is to wait until they are very dry. When they’re dry, soak them by letting water run through the pot, and then don’t water them again until they are very dry. This plant, for instance, is registering at one, so it’s ready for watering. This other plant, however, is registering around three, so it’s not quite ready yet. I have a video explaining how to check soil moisture, and with succulents, you’ll want to check various areas of the soil, as some parts may be wet while others are dry. For this guy, it’s registering dry all the way around, so I’ll go ahead and water it soon.

When you water, soak the plant thoroughly and allow the water to drain out completely. Succulents should never sit in moisture in their container. You can also mist them, which can help moisten the soil and provide a little extra moisture to the plant. Keep in mind that succulents come from desert environments where they get sporadic downpours of rain. They take up all the water they can and store it in their thick, succulent leaves until they get more moisture. So, whenever you’re growing succulents indoors, try to mimic their natural environment as much as possible.

I prefer soaking the plant when it’s dry, then letting it dry out thoroughly. You can use a paper towel or an old rag to absorb any excess water. You want to ensure the plant is dry before putting it back in its container to avoid root rot. If succulents or cacti develop rot, the base of the plant becomes squishy, especially where the plant meets the soil. At that point, it’s likely suffering from crown rot. I have another video on what to do when you’ve overwatered a plant, and in some cases, you can save the plant by letting it dry out, though part of the plant may die while the other part survives.

People are often concerned when they see their plant dry, but succulents are designed to survive with minimal water. You can wait a day or two after the plant registers as dry, and it will still be fine. When you do water, soak thoroughly but allow the plant to dry out completely before watering again. This is one of the hardest things for people to do, as they fear the plant will die from lack of water, but that’s not the case with succulents.

Another key factor is lighting. Succulents need at least eight hours of bright, filtered light each day. An eastern exposure window is ideal, though southern or western exposures can work if the plant is a few feet back to avoid too much heat. If your eastern window only provides three or four hours of sunlight, you’ll want to use full-spectrum lighting to supplement. Full-spectrum lighting simulates daylight and will keep your succulents healthy.

I have these succulents in a western window, and they do very well. When it gets too hot, especially during summer, I close the blinds partway through the day after they’ve had their eight hours of light. Succulents also don’t like extremes, so avoid moving them from hot to freezing conditions. Ideally, keep them in a range of 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

You will need to prune succulents occasionally. If a leaf is dying, cut it off at the base of the plant near the stem, but avoid cutting into the stem itself. Pruning will stimulate new growth from the center. You’ll also need to repot your succulents from time to time, using a palm and cactus mix or a mix with good drainage. If the soil retains too much water, add pumice to improve drainage. I have a great pumice product linked below.

For fertilizing, succulents aren’t heavy feeders, but occasional fertilization is beneficial. Use an organic or all-purpose fertilizer, or a cactus and succulent mix. Be sure not to over-fertilize; fertilize about every two months, and use half-strength fertilizer to avoid shocking the plant with too many nutrients.

Succulents rarely get pests or diseases, but if you do notice issues, check to see if the plant is being overwatered or not receiving enough sunlight. Weakened plants are more susceptible to pests.

That’s it for growing succulents indoors! Thank you for stopping by today. Please leave any comments about indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video. And don’t forget to hit the bell if you’d like to be notified when new videos are released.

Frequently Asked Questions about Growing Succulents Indoors

How often should I water succulents indoors?

You only need to water succulents once or twice a month, depending on the plant’s location and your indoor climate. Wait until the soil is very dry before watering.

What’s the best way to water indoor succulents?

The best method is to soak the soil thoroughly when it’s dry, allowing water to run through the pot. Make sure the plant dries completely before watering again.

How can I tell when my succulent needs water?

You can check soil moisture using a moisture meter. If the soil registers as dry all around (reading 1 or very low), it’s time to water the succulent.

Should I mist my succulents?

Misting can help moisten the soil and provide a little extra humidity, but it should not replace thorough watering. Succulents thrive on soaking and drying out cycles.

What kind of lighting do succulents need indoors?

Succulents require at least 8 hours of bright, filtered light daily. Eastern windows are ideal, but southern or western exposures also work if the plant is placed a few feet back from direct sunlight.

Can I use artificial lighting for my indoor succulents?

Yes, full-spectrum lighting can be used to supplement natural light. Full-spectrum bulbs simulate daylight and help keep your succulents healthy.

At what temperature should I keep my succulents indoors?

Succulents thrive in temperatures ranging from 65°F to 85°F. Avoid placing them in extreme temperature conditions.

How do I prune succulents?

If a leaf is dying, cut it off at the base of the plant, near the stem. Avoid cutting into the main stem, as this stimulates new growth from the center of the plant.

Do succulents need to be repotted?

Yes, succulents should be repotted occasionally. Use a well-draining mix like palm and cactus soil, and add pumice if the soil holds too much water.

What kind of fertilizer should I use for succulents?

Use an organic or all-purpose fertilizer, or a cactus and succulent mix. Fertilize every two months using half-strength to avoid shocking the plant.

What should I do if my succulent gets pests?

Check for overwatering or inadequate light, as these conditions weaken the plant and attract pests. Improve your care regimen to prevent pest infestations.

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