Winter Care Guide for Succulents
Battle the harsh winter with our guide for succulent survival.
You should start preparing for winter as early as September. This means to finish off any repotting and propagation tasks you had planned, slow down your watering and feeding regime and to have an idea of where your succulents will be located for the next several months. You may need to set up a cold frame for them.
Winter warning signs
- Temperatures below 10°C
- Strong wind
- Heavy rain
- Weaker sunlight and shorter days
Keeping Succulents Outdoors
If planting outside in the ground, make sure the area is prepared before planting your succulents. Clear any weeds and make sure the soil is suitable for succulents. Also, raising the succulents higher off the ground, such as in a raised bed or a rockery, will give you better growth results. Most succulents will love bright, light and airy conditions, but some will love shady conditions. Knowing your succulent requirements is crucial when selecting placement and compatibility.
Unlike other plants and due to their waxy leathery leaves, succulents can tolerate very windy conditions and still be very happy.
There are even many succulents that can survive in temperatures below freezing if free draining conditions are met. This can normally be found on vertical free draining walls, rockery beds, or a windy dry part of the garden.
Keeping Succulents Outdoors
Elevate your succulents by placing them on benches, tables, or shelves to avoid direct contact with cold or frozen ground. The soil in the ground remains colder than the surrounding air, so elevating them will reduce the chances of your plants from freezing.
Shelter your plants from the elements
Place your succulents near house walls, fences, or under shelter to shield them from direct rain or snow. A south-facing wall is ideal, as it receives more sun and retains warmth. These sheltered spots help prevent cold, damp conditions that can harm the plants.
For areas with high winter rainfall, use a cover with a slight tilt, allowing water to run off instead of pooling around the plants.
Use of fleece to protect your succulents
Horticultural fleece is a versatile, breathable fabric designed to protect plants from frost, wind, pests, and harsh weather.
When to Use: Apply fleece when temperatures are 5°C and below, and during harsh weather such as hail.
How to Apply:
- Drape Loosely: Cut fleece to size and loosely drape it over plants, allowing some airflow.
- Secure Edges: Use pegs, rocks, or weights to hold the fleece down and prevent it from blowing away.
- Avoid Compression: Ensure the fleece isn’t tightly pressed against plants to prevent breakage and allow air.
Using a Frame:
- For added protection, use hoops or stakes to create a frame under the fleece, creating a mini greenhouse effect around the plants.
Remove During Daytime Warmth:
- Take off the fleece on warmer days to prevent trapped moisture, then reapply in the evening for frost protection.
Storage:
- At the end of winter, wash, dry, and store the fleece in a cool, dry place for future use.
Reduce Watering
Winter means reduced sunlight and colder temperatures, which slow down the succulents’ growth. Reduce watering frequency to avoid waterlogged soil. Generally, only water when the soil is completely dry, about once every 4-6 weeks, depending on local conditions. It may be best to leave the plant dry for the entirety of winter, depending on conditions and the variety of plant.
Be cautious with water accumulation, as too much water can freeze around the roots and lead to rot.
Watering in winter
We often tell growers to follow the 3 D's to keep their succulents alive and happy. However, winter is a little different:
Keep your plants as dry as possible. If they are showing signs of drought, you can give them a little watering. Some plants grow over the winter months if the right conditions are met, such as Aeonium and Haworthia. Water these a little if the lower leaves look a little shrivelled.
If your soil becomes waterlogged, we suggest taking 70% of the soil off and leaving the plant to dry in a cool, bright area in an empty pot. Once dry, repot into dry compost.
Over-watering is one of the most common cause of succulent problems. The amount of water they require is largely dependent on the location you wish to keep them, so also think about this when watering them.
The best way to tell if your plant is dry is to pick up the pot and try to get a feel by the weight of the pot to figure out if it needs water.
Without proper drainage, your succulents may suffer from root rot, especially in the winter months. Always make sure your drainage holes don’t become blocked.
Having proper drainage gives you the desert-like conditions that succulents need to thrive.
Keeping plants indoors in winter
To extend the growing season, you can move Aeoniums to a cooler, less sunny area or a shady spot to reduce dormancy.
In winter, Aeoniums can still grow but at a slower rate. The ideal nighttime temperatures for Aeoniums are between 12-16°C, with daytime temperatures ranging from 18-22°C.
Light levels
Reduced light levels in winter cause most plants to lose their bright colours. It may even cause them to reach a little as they search for light. To combat this, place your succulents in the brightest spot you possibly can. You may even need to use grow lights for suitable light levels.
Air movement
This is key for keeping your succulents happy and fungus free. A simple fan will help more than you think, and if the temperatures allow, open a window or vent to allow some fresh air to breeze over your plants. Just remember to close them if it gets cold. The air flow will also help them dry out, lowering chances of rot.
Indoor watering
When keeping your succulents indoors, it is best to allow for the soil to be mostly dry all winter. If they need water, water sparsely. You can tell if they need water if the lower leaves look wrinkly. Depending on the inside temperatures, you might water once a month or once a week.
Temperature regulation
The lower the temperature, the better your plants will hold their health over winter. Between 7-13°C is best for most succulents as this range will limit unnatural growth, whilst keeping the plant frost free.
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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.
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