Winter Isn't the Enemy, Wet Compost Is
Your essential guide to keeping succulents thriving through UK winter weather.
Let's bust a myth right now: winter doesn't kill succulents. In fact, most of your desert darlings can handle a surprising amount of cold. What they absolutely cannot tolerate? Sitting in soggy, waterlogged compost whilst the temperature drops. That's the kiss of death.
Here in the UK, our winters aren't usually brutal cold snaps—they're damp, drizzly marathons of grey skies and persistent moisture. And that's precisely what makes winter tricky for succulent care. It's not the chill; it's the wet.
The Real Villain: Wet Compost
Succulents evolved in environments where rain is rare and drainage is excellent. Their thick, fleshy leaves are designed to store water for drought periods—not to cope with constant dampness. When you combine cold temperatures with wet compost, you create the perfect storm for root rot.
Think about it: In their native habitats, succulents might face freezing nights, but they're bone-dry. Here in the UK, we give them the worst of both worlds—cold and wet. It's like asking someone to sleep in a cold, damp cellar. No wonder they struggle.
What Actually Happens in Wet, Cold Compost
When your succulent's roots sit in waterlogged compost during winter, here's what goes wrong:
- Root rot sets in – Cold + wet = fungal paradise. Roots turn mushy and black.
- Leaves become translucent – When roots fail, leaves fill with excess moisture and turn to mush.
- The whole plant collapses – By the time you notice, it's often too late to save them.
The frustrating part? This all happens slowly. Your succulent might look fine for weeks, then suddenly collapse overnight. The damage was done long before you saw the symptoms.
How to Keep Your Succulents Happy Through UK Winter
1. Bring Them Indoors (But Not Just Anywhere)
Unless you're growing genuinely hardy varieties like Sempervivums or Sedums, bring your succulents inside before the first frost. But here's the catch: don't just plonk them on a windowsill above a radiator.
Find them a bright spot—ideally a south-facing window—but away from direct heat sources. Succulents can handle cool indoor temperatures (10-15°C is perfect), but they need light and dry air, not stuffy central heating.
The ideal nighttime temperatures for most succulents are between 7-13°C, with daytime temperatures ranging from 12-18°C. This range limits unnatural growth whilst keeping the plant frost-free.
Air flow is extremely important too, so make sure you crack a window or allow a fan to blow over them at every chance you get.
2. Slash Your Watering to Almost Nothing
This is where most people go wrong. In winter, your succulents are dormant or semi-dormant. They're not growing, so they're barely using any water. Yet we continue watering them on the same schedule as summer.
Here's your new winter watering rule: water lightly and infrequently—maybe once a month, or even less.
Wait until the compost is completely dry all the way through. I mean bone-dry. Stick your finger deep into the pot—if there's even a hint of moisture, don't water. The leaves will tell you when they need a drink; they'll start to wrinkle slightly. That's your cue.
For many succulents in the UK, you may not need to water at all for the entirety of winter. If your soil becomes waterlogged, take 70% of the soil off and leave the plant to dry in a cool, bright area in an empty pot. Once dry, repot into dry compost.
3. Use Proper Gritty Compost (This Is Non-Negotiable)
If you haven't already, now's the time to repot your succulents into proper gritty, free-draining compost. Standard multipurpose compost holds far too much moisture for winter conditions.
Mix your own using:
- 1/3 multipurpose compost (John Innes no2 is highly recommended for this)
- 1/3 horticultural grit or perlite
- 1/3 coconut coir
Or grab a bag of specialist cactus and succulent compost from your local garden centre. We always recommend for you to mix in extra drainage, just for good measure.
Adding a gritty top-dressing not only looks attractive but also keeps foliage dry, reduces fungus gnats, and helps regulate moisture.
4. Ensure Excellent Drainage
Check that every single pot has drainage holes. No exceptions. Even with gritty compost, water needs somewhere to go. If you've got a succulent in a decorative pot without holes, either drill some or use it as a cache pot with a draining inner pot.
After watering, make sure no water sits in saucers or outer pots. Empty them immediately. Standing water is an invitation to disaster.
If planting outside in the ground, elevate your succulents on benches, tables, or shelves to avoid direct contact with cold or frozen ground. Raising succulents in a raised bed or rockery will give you better growth results.
5. Use Horticultural Fleece for Frost Protection
For succulents that can't come indoors or need extra protection, horticultural fleece is an absolute game-changer. It's a versatile, breathable fabric that protects your plants from frost, wind, and harsh weather—all whilst keeping that crucial moisture problem in check.
When to use fleece: Apply it when temperatures hit 5°C and below. Light ground frost can occur at these temperatures, and younger plants or tender varieties (like variegated Aeoniums) can suffer damage.
How to use horticultural fleece properly:
- Drape loosely – Cut fleece to size and loosely drape it over plants, allowing airflow. Never press it tightly against leaves.
- Secure the edges – Use pegs, rocks, or weights to hold it down and prevent it blowing away.
- Create a frame – For added protection, use hoops or stakes under the fleece to create a mini greenhouse effect.
- Remove on warmer days – Take it off when the sun is out to prevent trapped moisture, then reapply in the evening.
- Keep it dry – Fleece works best when dry. If it gets wet in heavy rain, dry it out for full frost protection.
In areas with persistent frost (where temperatures don't get back above 5°C during the day), you can leave the fleece on for days at a time. In full sun areas, plants will get enough light underneath to stay happy.
Why our fleece is different:
We've used the same heavy-duty fleece for years, and it's worked wonders protecting our plants. At 60 grams per square metre, it's nearly 4x thicker than standard garden centre fleece. This means:
- Protects against temperatures as low as -10°C
- Durable enough to last for many years
- Rain resistant, keeping plants dry underneath
- Breathable, so you can leave it on during long cold spells
- Doubles as a hail shield when needed
At the end of winter, simply wash, dry, and store it for next year. It's extremely cost-effective and reusable season after season.
6. Watch for Warning Signs
Keep an eye out for these red flags:
- Translucent, mushy leaves – Overwatering damage
- Black or brown soggy stems – Root rot spreading upwards
- Leaves dropping off easily – Sign of rot or extreme overwatering
- Compost stays wet for days – Time to repot into grittier mix
- Frost damage – Outer leaves look frozen or mushy after cold nights
Catch these early, and you might be able to save your plant by reducing water, improving drainage, or taking healthy cuttings to propagate. If you spot frost damage, wait until the plant thaws, then cut off damaged areas and inspect often to ensure rot doesn't set in.
The Bottom Line
Winter isn't your succulent's enemy. Wet compost is. Get your watering right, use proper gritty compost, ensure excellent drainage, and protect tender varieties with quality fleece—your succulents will sail through the UK winter looking gorgeous.
In fact, many succulents actually need a cool, dry winter rest to thrive and flower come spring. So embrace the season, adjust your care routine, and watch your collection flourish.
🧠 QUIZ: Winter Succulent Care
Answer 5 questions. Get 4+ correct to unlock a discount code!
Question 1 of 5
What's the main threat to succulents in UK winter?
Question 2 of 5
Most hardy succulents can survive down to:
Question 3 of 5
How should you water succulents in winter?
Question 4 of 5
What makes compost 'winter-ready'?
Question 5 of 5
Horticultural fleece protects succulents by:
Thank you for reading!
If you have any other questions on care advice, please drop us an email (info@surrealsucculents.co.uk) and we will be happy to answer this for you.
For alternate care advice, please find our other care guides in the Plant Care & Advice section.
We are adding new advice all of the time, so consider subscribing to our mailing list to make sure you do not miss out on any crucial information on how to care for your succulents. This can be done at the bottom of the page.
