Why does my succulent keep dying: A Guide to Keeping Succulent Alive

Succulents are a great addition to any home. They’re low-maintenance, come in various shapes and colors, and add a touch of greenery to any room. But what do you do if your succulent keeps dying? And also, you may be wondering why does my succulent keep dying.

Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll discuss what causes a succulent to die? And how to prevent them from happening again. So keep reading for some tips on keeping your succulents alive and thriving!

Why does my succulent keep dying

Is your succulent dying? If so, you’re not alone. Succulents are a popular houseplant, but they can be tricky to keep alive. Here are some of the most common causes of succulent death:

Overwatering or Underwatering

Overwatering is when the succulent is given too much water. This can be done by watering the succulent too often or watering it excessively. Overwatering can lead to root rot and eventually the succulent dying.

Underwatering is when the succulent is not given enough water. This can be done by not watering the succulent enough or watering it in an insufficient amount. Underwatering can lead to root rot and eventually the succulent dying.

Excess Fertilizer

While fertilizing is not always the direct cause of succulent death, it can often contribute. Excess fertilizer can cause the succulents to grow too quickly, leading to overwatering or underwatering. Additionally, fertilizer can also promote weed growth, damaging the succulent.

Fungal Infection

A fungal infection is one of the most common causes of succulents dying. Fungal infections are caused by fungi growing in soil contaminated with spores from other fungi. These spores can travel through water and air and infect plants when they touch them. Symptoms of a fungal infection include:

• Wilting, yellowing, or browning leaves.
• Loss of moisture from the plant tissue.
• A musty smell.

Bacterial Disease      

Bacterial diseases are common in succulent plants, caused by Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Escherichia bacteria. These bacteria can invade the succulent through wounds or soil that has been contaminated with their spores. Once inside the succulent, the bacteria can multiply rapidly and cause the plant to die. There is no one cure for bacterial diseases in succulents. Still, prevention is key to keeping your plants clean and free of soilborne contaminants.

Too Much Sun

The most common cause of succulent death is too much sun. Succulents are delicate plants that need plenty of water and sunlight to thrive. Too much sun can overheat the plant, causing it to dry out and die. Ensure to water your succulent regularly and keep it in a shady spot when the weather is hot outside.

Not Enough Sun  

The most common cause of succulent death is not enough sunlight. Succulents get their energy from the sun and will not survive in a dark or shady spot. If you live where the sun does not shine often, it is best to move your succulent into an area with more sunlight. You can also try using artificial light during the day if necessary.

Rot

Rot is a common problem in succulent plants, caused by environmental factors such as poor drainage, high humidity, and lack of air circulation. Rot causes the leaves to turn yellow and fall off the plant, eventually killing it. To prevent rot from affecting your succulents, water them properly and give them plenty of air circulation. Additionally, try using a fungicide to treat any areas where rot is suspected.

Containers with No Drainage Hole

When succulents are in a container with no drainage hole, the soil can become saturated, and the succulents will eventually die. The most common cause of succulent death in a container with no drainage hole is overwatering. When water sits on top of the soil for an extended period, it can cause root rot, a fungus that attacks plant roots. If you notice your succulent is dying in a container with no drainage hole, be sure to water sparingly and always let the soil dry between waterings.

Due to a cold climate or extreme temperatures

The most common reason succulents die is a cold climate or extreme temperatures. Succulents are naturally adapted to warm climates, but they will start to lose leaves and die when the temperature drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

In addition to low temperatures, high humidity can also be a death sentence for succulents. When the air is saturated with moisture, it becomes difficult for the plant to take in oxygen, and the succulent will die. Keep the soil around the roots warm and humid to prevent your succulent from dying due to a cold climate or extreme temperatures. Place your succulent in a sheltered area where it won’t experience too much cold or heat.

The wrong soil can drown succulents.

Succulent plants need well-drained soil to thrive. A succulent’s root system is adapted to extracting water and nutrients from the soil, so if the soil is too wet or too dry, the succulent will not be able to survive. To test if your soil is draining well:

1. Place an inch of potting soil in a bowl and fill it with water.
2. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then drain the water away. If there is still water left in the bowl, your soil is not draining well.
3. Replenish it with fresh potting soil and water as needed.

Bound roots can prevent proper drainage.

Most succulent plants have a bound root system. This means the roots are not free to move and spread out in all directions. This can cause problems with proper drainage and water uptake. When the plant is wet, the bound roots will stay wet longer than if the roots were free to move. This can lead to root rot and the death of the succulent plant.

To prevent this, try to remove any bound roots growing from the succulent’s main stem. You can do this by cutting the stem above the bound roots with a sharp knife, then pulling the roots out.

How do you bring a succulent back to life? 

Succulents are the perfect indoor plant because they don’t require much care, and they look so elegant. But if you’ve been trying to keep one alive, you may have noticed that they keep dying. Here are some tips on how do you save a dying succulent:

• Make sure the soil is moist but not wet. Succulents like slightly dry soil, so water them sparingly. If the soil becomes too wet, the succulents will not be able to survive.
• Try to keep your succulent in a bright location with plenty of indirect light. This will help it grow healthy and strong.
• Feed your succulent once a week with a diluted houseplant fertilizer or a water-soluble plant food such as Miracle-Gro All-One® Plant Food for Succulents (2 fl oz).
• Remove any bound roots from the succulent’s main stem. Bound roots can lead to root rot and the death of your succulent plant.
• Try to keep your succulent in a large enough container for it to grow but not too large or heavy, as this can cause the succulent to topple over.
• Depending on its size and growth habits, repot your succulent every two or three years. Make sure the soil is moist but not wet before repotting.
• Try to keep your succulent in a container that is clean and free of pests. Succulent plants are susceptible to pests, so keep an eye out for aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, and scale. If you find any pests on or around your succulents, treat them with a garden spray or insecticide.

Saving an Overwatered or Underwatered Succulent

Overwatering is one of the most common problems succulent gardeners face. Many people overwater their succulents, not realizing how much water a succulent needs. Overwatering can lead to root rot, wilting, and even the death of the plant.

To prevent overwatering your succulents, first, water them correctly. Succulent plants need about 1 inch of water per week, so make sure you are giving it enough but not too much water. If you see that the soil is constantly wet or if the plant is wilting, then you may need to reduce the amount of water you are giving it.

If your succulent is getting under-watered, then a few things can help:

1. Make sure that you water it enough, but not too much.
2. Try to water it in the morning or early afternoon when the soil is cooler and less wet.
3. Make sure that you are not overwatering your succulents.

Overwatering can lead to root rot and the death of the plant.

How to Save Sunburned Succulents 

If you have a succulent sunburned, the plant was in direct sunlight for too long. When succulents are in direct sunlight, they lose water and nutrients faster than if they are in indirect light. This can lead to succulent dying. There are a few things that you can do to help save a sunburned succulent:

Sunscreen: If the succulent was in direct sunlight for an extended period, try putting it in indirect light for a few days and gradually bringing it into direct light. If the plant has brown patches on its leaves from being sunburnt, try using an organic sunscreen lotion or cream instead of store-bought sunscreen products.

Watering Regimen: Make sure you are watering your succulent correctly. When succulents are in direct sunlight, they lose water and nutrients faster than if they are in indirect light. Ensure you water your succulent in the morning or early afternoon when the soil is cooler and less wet.

Water Therapy for Underwatered Succulents 

Water therapy for succulents is a great way to help them regain their water needs and stay healthy. This therapy involves soaking the succulents in a water container for a set period. The goal is to help the succulent absorb as much water as possible, which will help it stay hydrated and healthy.

How to Save Frostbitten Succulents 

If your succulent shows any of the following signs, it may be time to start thinking about saving it: browning leaves, wilting plant, dry soil. You can do a few things to help your succulents survive frosty weather.

The first step is to make sure the succulent has adequate water. A succulent in dry soil will not be able to handle freezing temperatures well and may die as a result. Make sure you water your succulents every day during cold weather to help maintain hydration levels.

Another key thing you can do for frostbitten succulents is to keep them warm. Please keep them in a warm place (not too hot, though) and give them plenty of light. This will help keep their cells functioning and help them survive frosty weather.

How to Save an Infested Succulent 

If you have an infested succulent, there are a few things that you can do to save it. First, identify the problem. Is the succulent dying? Is it stunted? Are there spots on the succulent that are black or brown? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, you likely have an infestation.

Next, take steps to prevent the succulent from dying. Remove any dead or diseased plants from around the succulent. Try not to water the infested plant excessively; give it just enough water so that its surface is moist but not soggy. Fertilize sparingly with a diluted organic fertilizer; over-fertilization can also kill a succulent. Finally, keep an eye out for pests; if you see pests attacking the succulent, take steps to get rid of them.

FAQ On why does my succulent keep dying

Can my succulent come back to life?

There is no single answer to this question, as the viability of a succulent’s resurrection depends on various factors such as the extent of the damage, the succulent’s age, and the climate conditions in its new environment. Generally speaking, however, if a succulent has suffered from excessive wilting or water loss, likely, it will not be able to return to its former glory.

Why do succulents die so fast?

Succulents generally have a short life span because they are living things and are susceptible to disease, pests, and other environmental factors. Additionally, succulents store water in their leaves or stems, making them more vulnerable to drought and other weather-related issues.

What does an overwatered succulent look like?

When succulents are overwatered, they will show signs of distress such as wilting leaves, brown patches on the soil surface, and overall dryness. Overwatering can be caused by many things such as a leaky faucet, forgetting to water for a day or two, or too much rain.

Overwatering can also occur if you have a succulent growing in an area that gets insufficient sunlight. When these plants are over-watered, the soil becomes saturated with water and cannot drain properly. This causes the roots to become wet and stunted, leading to succulent dying. To prevent your succulent from dying due to overwatering, check the soil every day and water only when it is visibly dry.

Do succulents need sun?

Succulents do not need direct sunlight to survive, but they need some light. Too much light can damage their leaves and cause them to become scorched or brittle. Succulents in direct sunlight should move to a shady area during the midday hours.

Where should I put succulents outside?

Succulents can be planted in various locations outside, but some factors include the climate and soil type. If you live in a hot or sunny climate, succulents may do better if placed in an area with partial shade. In colder climates, succulent plants may need to be placed outside during the warmest part of the day to prevent them from freezing. Succulent plants also do well when planted in areas that receive plenty of water.

Do succulents clean the air?

Succulents are known for their ability to clean the air. They have a high water content to absorb a lot of pollutants and toxins. This makes them a good choice for people who have asthma or other respiratory problems.

How often should you water a succulent?

Watering succulents is a delicate balance. Too much water and the succulent will rot, but too little water and the succulent will not get the oxygen it needs to survive. It is best to give your succulent a light watering every day or two, depending on its size and how dry the soil feels. Make sure to let the soil dry out between waterings so that you don’t overwater.

Do succulents like direct sun?

Succulents do best in direct sun but can tolerate a little indirect sunlight if filtered. The key is to provide ample water and nutrients so that the succulent can flourish.

Should you mist succulents?

Some people believe that succulents need to be misted regularly to avoid them from dying. The truth is that succulents can take care of themselves and do not need to be misted regularly. They may even suffer from waterlogged roots if you over mist them, leading to plant death.

What type of sunlight do succulents prefer?

Succulents prefer direct sunlight. They need full sun to grow and thrive. The intense light helps them to produce the food they need to survive. Succulents that don’t get enough sunlight will start to stretch, looking for the light they need. They will also produce less food, leading to problems like rot or death.

Do succulents need darkness?

Yes, succulents do require darkness to thrive. They are native to areas with a high degree of light and heat contrast and need this environment for photosynthesis. When you move a succulent into a place with more light, less heat, or no light, it will not grow and eventually die.

How do I know if my succulent needs more light?

The most basic way to tell if a succulent needs more light is to look at it. If the leaves are drooping and the plant appears to be in a coma-like state, it probably needs more light. However, there are other ways to determine if a succulent receives the light it needs.

One way is to use a light meter app on your phone or tablet and look at the reading for each leaf. If one or more leaves receive less than 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, your succulent may need more light. Another way is to look for yellowing or browning the leaves; this indicates that too much sunlight is being received and will eventually kill the succulent.

When should succulents be repotted?

Repotting succulents is a regular procedure done every two to three years. Succulents are often sold in too-small containers, and the plant becomes stressed when it grows larger. When repotting, please remove all of the old soil and replace it with fresh, composted soil. Ensure the new pot has adequate drainage and regularly water your succulent during the repotting process.

Why are my succulents dying in the winter?

There are a few reasons why succulents might die in the winter. The most common culprit is dryness. Over time, succulents can lose water through their leaves and stems, leading to rot and death. Another cause of succulent death in the winter is cold temperatures. Succulent plants require high humidity levels to survive. When the temperature drops below freezing, they can lose too much water to stay alive. To protect your succulent from these factors, keep it well-watered and allow it plenty of space to grow in a warm environment.

What does a dying succulent look like?

When a succulent dies, it may look like the plant is shrivelling up and dying. The leaves may curl up, the stem may turn brown or black, and the plant may produce dry leaves and flowers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, succulents need well-draining soil, plenty of sunlight, and the right amount of water to thrive. If your succulent is dying, it’s likely because you’re not meeting one of these needs. Check the succulent’s soil moisture, light exposure, and watering needs to see what you need to change to help your succulent live a long and healthy life.