Succulents are known for being easy-to-care-for plants. And while that’s true, it’s also easy to accidentally end up with an unhealthy plant if you don’t know a few basic things about succulent care. We often hear the question: "how often should you water your succulents?"

Overwatering Your Succulents

One of the hardest things for succulent newbies to master is how often should you water your succulents. You may already know that overwatering your succulents will result in their roots rotting, which will kill them. But what many people don’t realize is that it’s possible to underwater your succulents. Succulents are hardy plants, but they won’t thrive without sufficient amounts of water.

Things to Keep in Mind When Watering Your Succulents

To help you master how often should you water your succulents, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Planting Succulents

• When planting new succulents in terrariums or pots, wait a week before watering them to give them time to adjust to their new home before introducing water.
• Use a cactus potting mix for your succulents. It features a special fast-draining formula that will keep your succulents from getting waterlogged.
• When planting succulents in terrariums, such as our Teardrop Geometric Hanging Terrarium or Modern Cylinder Dish, be sure to include a layer of stones at the bottom to aid in drainage of water.
• If planting succulents in terrariums that have lids, like what’s included with our DIY Terrarium Kit, be sure to keep the lid off. This will help you maintain a dry environment for your succulent. Keeping the lid on will result in a humid environment, which isn’t ideal for succulents.

Succulent Growing Seasons

• During the succulent growing season, which is from spring until fall, regularly water your succulents once a week. Give them enough water to soak through the soil. If your succulents are outside in the heat and sunshine, they will need an especially good soaking.
• During the growing season, you can add a fertilizer to your water. Check out your local hardware store or garden center for fertilizers that are specially developed for succulents, and follow the directions on the packaging.
• When the weather cools during the fall and winter, your succulents will go through a period of rest. During this time, they don’t need as much water. When you bring your succulents inside for the cooler months, they should be watered only enough to prevent their roots from dying off. A good rule of thumb is to water them once every couple of weeks. Don’t add fertilizer to their water during the rest season; you want them to be dormant, not producing new growth during this time.

Watering Succulents

• The very best water you can give your succulents is rainwater if you’re able to collect and store it.
• If you can’t collect rainwater, then water your succulents with tap water. Because tap water contains high concentrations of dissolved minerals, you will need to occasionally repot your succulents in terrariums using fresh soil.
• Never water your succulents with softened water. It contains extra sodium that can harm your plants.

Maintaining your terrarium should be much easier now that you know how often should you water your succulents. Keep your succulents healthy in one of our gorgeous terrarium containers.