Succulents are easy to grow and maintain and best of all, they are unique and beautiful! Learn everything you need to know about how to take care of succulents indoors or outside in this in-depth guide.
People often ask me what my favorite type of plant is. You just have to take one look at my houseplant collection (and even my garden!), and you’ll see that the answer is quite obvious. I love my succulent plants the most!
Some people think that succulents are difficult to grow. But the truth is that they are extremely easy, and fairly low maintenance – as long as you give them the proper care.
I am so excited to share with you all of my knowledge about maintaining (and collecting!) these gorgeous and fun plants.
Below I’ll give you tons of tips on how to grow succulent plants, including all you need to know about water, light, fertilizer, soil, pruning, pest control, and much more!
Here’s what you’ll find in this comprehensive guide…
Table of Contents
Benefits Of Growing Succulents As Houseplants
For me, the biggest benefits of growing succulents is their unique beauty and ease of care.
They hold water in their leaves, so they don’t need as much moisture as other types of indoor plants. This means they require less maintenance.
A few other wonderful benefits are that they are very easy to propagate, and there are tons of different varieties. You can find them in a rainbow of colors, and many will even flower!
Small collection of succulents growing indoors
Different Types Of Indoor Succulent Plants
There are lots of different kinds of succulents that can be grown as houseplants, and collecting them is part of the fun!
But don’t worry, their care requirements are the same no matter which type you grow. Below are a few of my favorites.
Common Indoor Varieties
Below is a list of my top picks for some of the best succulents to grow indoors. There are tons of others to choose from, but these are a few of my personal favorites.
- Agave
- Ghost plants (though they do tend to get pretty leggy indoors)
- Euphorbia
- Aeonium
- Burro’s tail
- Echeveria
- Panda plant
- Pencil cactus
- African Milk Tree
Potted succulent plants spending the summer outdoors
Varieties That Flower Indoors
Many types of succulent plants will flower when they’re grown outdoors in their native habitat. But the ones that flower indoors are an extra special treat! Here are a few that bloom inside consistently for me.
- Aloe plants
- Jade plants
- Gasteria
- Haworthia
- Starfish cactus (Carrion plant)
- Gastrolia
- Huernia (Dragon flower)
If you’re looking to buy more to add to your collection, you can find them for sale online, or at your local garden center.
Jade plant flowering indoors
Succulent Plant Care & Growing Guide
Growing succulents indoors can be tough if you’re not familiar with their needs. Some people find them much more difficult to care for than other houseplants.
Don’t worry, I’m here to help! below I’m going to give you all the details you need in order to be successful.
Planter filled with various colorful succulent plants
Light For Succulents
In general, most indoor succulents will grow best in a south facing window during the fall and winter, and then with filtered light in the hot summer months.
If you see them getting leggy and reaching for the window, that means they need more light. Move the plant to a sunnier spot, or add a grow light.
On the other hand, if the leaves start to burn from the intense sun, then move it to a filtered light location.
If you do end up moving them outside during the summer, that’s great! Just make sure you don’t put them in a full sun location right away.
Succulents grown indoors will need time to adapt to the sun again, so it’s best to move them out slowly in the spring.
Moving them from being indoors all winter to the full sun outdoors could burn the leaves, which can be fatal for small plants.
A few different succulents growing in a pot together
How To Water Succulents
By far the most challenging part of successful succulent plant care for most people is proper watering. And guess what, overwatering is their #1 killer.
They hate wet soil, and consistent overwatering will cause them to rot and die. So it’s best to err on the side of under watering, and always keep their soil on the dry side.
Always, always check the soil before watering to make sure they actually need it. It should be completely dry before watering again.
The best way to water them is to pour it over the top of the soil until it starts to come out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Dump out the excess once it’s done draining, and never leave the pot soaking in water.
They like to be watered more in the summer than in the winter. Succulents go into a semi-dormant state during the winter, and therefore will require less – so do it sparingly during the colder months.
If you struggle with getting it right, I recommend buying an inexpensive soil moisture gauge to make it super easy for you.
Best Containers To Use
When it comes to growing succulent plants in pots, it’s super important to choose the right container. First off, adequate drainage is a must, especially if you plan to put them outside.
They won’t tolerate soggy soil for very long, and choosing a pot that doesn’t have adequate drainage holes is a recipe for disaster.
If you are the type of person that tends to overwater, then I recommend planting them in an unsealed clay pot.
In my opinion, terracotta pots are the best choice. The dry clay helps to wick the moisture out of the soil faster, which means that overwatering will be less of a risk.
Some of my succulent plants growing on a window ledge in winter
Potting Soil For Growing Succulents
When it comes to succulent plant care, one of the most common questions I get is regarding what type of soil to use.
Since they don’t like wet feet, the best soil to use is a fast draining, sandy mix that doesn’t hold moisture.
You can buy commercial potting soil for them, or you get a gritty mix which will make it even easier to ensure you don’t overwater.
I like to make my own using a combo of perlite or pumice, coarse sand or poultry grit, and regular potting soil, which tends to be cheaper. Learn how to make your own DIY succulent soil here.
Related Post: Gritty Succulent Soil Mix Makes Growing Succulents A Snap!
Repotting a succulent plant
Types Of Fertilizer To Use
Succulents will benefit from being fertilized during their active growing period. To make this super easy, you can buy special liquid plant food that’s made specifically for them.
A general purpose indoor plant fertilizer, or compost tea also work great. You could also add granules to the soil, if you prefer.
Whatever you use, only feed them during the spring and summer months. Start by giving them a weak dose of liquid fertilizer in early spring, gradually increasing it to full strength. Then continue feeding them regularly until fall.
Don’t feed them during the colder months. They go into a state of dormancy during the winter, and the growth is usually very weak and leggy. So you don’t want to encourage new growth during the winter.
Beautiful combination of succulents in a terracotta pot
Pest Control
Once you learn how to properly care for succulents, you’ll find they don’t have many issues with plant pests. But sometimes aphids, mealy bugs, or scale can become a problem.
Be careful what you use to treat insect pest infestations though. Some succulent plants are very sensitive to any type of spray.
Always test any pest control product first by spraying one or two leaves. Then wait a few days to make sure there’s no damage before you treat the whole plant.
If it is tolerant, then I recommend using neem oil, which is a natural pesticide. Hot pepper wax repellent or horticultural oil are good options as well.
Organic insecticidal soap also works great. You can try making your own using a mixture of 1 tsp mild liquid soap per 1 liter of water.
You can also spot-treat them by dipping a cotton swab into rubbing alcohol, and using it to kill and remove the bugs.
Learn more about How To Get Rid Of Houseplant Bugs Naturally
Pruning Leggy Succulent Plants
Many types of succulents will grow leggy when kept indoors as houseplants because they’re not getting enough light. So it’s best to prune them regularly.
You can trim or pinch them to help them keep their compact shape. Prune off weak and leggy growth by pinching it off with your fingers, or snipping it off with a sharp pair of pruners.
Related Post: How To Make An Indoor Succulent Garden
Gorgeous combination of succulents planting in outdoor pots
Succulent Propagation Tips
Many common varieties can easily be rooted from leaf or stem cuttings, and several other types can be propagated by division.
The key to successfully growing succulents from cuttings is to keep the soil on the dry side, but the air around the cutting humid.
They can rot easily, so be sure to use a coarse sand or poultry grit, and perlite or pumice mixture to root them.
To increase your changes of success, and speed things, dip the cut end into rooting hormone before sticking it in dirt. Learn exactly how to propagate the leaves or stem cuttings here.
Related Post: How To Propagate Succulents In Winter
My potted ghost plant outdoors in the garden
FAQS About Succulent Plant Care
In this section, I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about caring for succulents. If you can’t find your answer here, ask your question in the comments below.
Do succulents need direct sunlight?
While many types of succulents need direct sunlight, there are many that grow better in low light conditions. It’s best to look up the specific variety to have to determine exactly how much light it needs.
How do you know when a succulent needs water?
There are a few ways to know when a succulent needs water. First, the soil will be completely dried out. But the telltale sign is when the leaves begin to soften or shrivel.
How often do you water succulents?
You should water your succulents once the soil is completely dried out. To tell, stick your finger at least one inch into the soil. If it’s bone dry, then it’s time to water.
Should you water a succulent every day?
No, you absolutely should not water a succulent plant every day. Daily watering will cause them to quickly start to rot. Instead, allow the soil to dry completely between waterings.
Why is my succulent plant dying?
The most common reason why succulent plants die is due to overwatering, which causes them to rot at the base. If the stem is soft or mushy, then it’s likely rotting.
The only way to save it when it starts rotting is to take cuttings. In the future, make sure it dries completely between waterings.
Do succulents grow easily?
Yes, when give the proper care, succulents are one of the easiest plants to grow. They thrive on neglect, so be careful not to kill them with kindness.
Succulent plants are easy to grow, and fun to collect! Once you get the hang of how to care for succulents, you’ll have no problem keeping them thriving for many years, both indoors and outside.
If you struggle with succulent care in winter, or to maintain any healthy houseplants during the long, dark winter months then my Winter Houseplant Care eBook is for you! This eBook will show you exactly how to keep your indoor plants alive through the winter, and thriving all year long. Pick up your copy today!
Recommended Books
- Succulents Simplified: Designing, and Crafting with 100 Easy-Care Varieties
- The Complete Book of Cacti & Succulents
- Idiot’s Guides: Succulents
More Guides For Different Houseplant Types
Products I Recommend
Share your succulent plant care tips in the comments section below.
Ronnie says
Hi,
I just started propagating snake plants and I just want to know if your succulent soil recipe is good for snake plants. Thank you.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, it would work great for them. They like similar soil as succulents do. However, if you tend to underwater, you may want to add less sand and perlite. Snake plants do like a little bit more moisture retention if they don’t get watered very often.
Ronnie says
I will try your recipe. Thank you.
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome!
Kira says
Thank you Amy!! This was super, super helpful. I’m a beginner and this gave me a lot of guidance.
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome! Good luck growing your succulents! 🙂
Rowena Pastones says
I’m just a beginner! Looking for ways to take care of few succulents I have.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Great, you found the right article for learning all about caring for succulents! 🙂
Jess m. says
Hi Amy!
Loved the article! Super helpful! Just wondering though…I got 2 tiny succulents and 1 tiny cactus from Walmart a little over a month ago. I keep them on a sunny windowsill and I’ve only watered them 3 times so far, I waited till I felt the soil was dry, and they still look the same size as when I got them. I wanted to repot all 3 together into a medium sized pot. Should I wait until they are bigger to repot them? Also, the succulents look a little dry on the outer leaves..should I wait until they are better to repot them? Thanks again for all the great articles! Love ur site!
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Amy Andrychowicz says
Glad that you found this article helpful, that’s always great to hear. 🙂 Succulent and cactus plants go into a state of dormancy during the winter, and most of the time they will barely grow. Spring and summer are their active growing season, so I would expect you’ll start to see new growth soon. You can combine the succulents into the same pot, but I would keep the cactus separate. Succulents do need a bit more water than cactus plants, so it’s best to keep them in different pots. Now is the perfect time for repotting, so go for it. Just don’t go too large on the pot size, because that can lead to overwatering.
Ruma says
Your article has been very helpful. I lost many valuable succulents reason is not overwatering. Again I love to grow them by reading your article. I live in such a place where humidity and temperature is very high. Should I plant succulents
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome, glad you found the article helpful! It’s difficult to grow succulents in tropical areas because they will only rot from all the moisture and humidity. They grow best in arid climates. Your best bet would be to try growing them indoors so that you can control the humidity and moisture level. Good luck!
Toni says
When do you know it’s time to report succulents and cactus? Thanks
Amy Andrychowicz says
Most succulents and cactus plants have very shallow roots and can grow in the pot for many years. You’ll know it’s time to repot them if you see roots growing out of the bottom of the pot, or at the top of the soil. That means they’re pot-bound and need to be moved into a larger pot.
Colleen Scatena says
I have always loved succulents, so I have decided to start growing them. Your article has been very helpful. I saw a few succulents that are so beautiful I would love to grow them. They are called blue African succulent and blue stone flower. Do you know much about these. Are they easy to grow. Thanks for all your great tips.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Great, so glad you found the post helpful! I’ve never heard of either of those plants, but I looked them up. It looks like the blue African succulent is a type of aeonium. While I’ve never grown that specific variety, I have grown lots of aeoniums and they require the same type of care as I’ve outlined in this succulent care guide. I couldn’t find anything conclusive when I searched for the blue stone flower, so I’m not sure what that one is.
Amelia says
Hi there!
I am trying to id my succulent plant. It looks exactly like the drooping green plant in the second image posted on this page. Can you tell me what it is so I can know how to treat it?
Thanks!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, that one is called “string of bananas” (latin name is Senecio radicans). Follow the succulent plant care instructions in this post to keep it thriving. 🙂
The Bearded Hiker says
I too love succulents, and have also killed my fair share. But they are just so beautiful I can’t stay away.
I have a question for you, I hope you can help me out. Do you have a good method for moving/replanting a donkey tail succulent plant without it breaking apart? The little nubbins, they’re so fragile, but I really need to get it in another hanging pot.
Amy Andrychowicz says
No, I’m afraid I haven’t found any special trick to it. But the silver lining is that burro’s tail succulents are super easy to propagate so you can grow new plants with all of those tiny pieces that break off. 🙂
Amy - Get Busy Gardening says
@PlantPostings – Thanks, glad you enjoyed the succulent care post. I have my succulent plants all over the house. I am lucky to have tons of south facing windows, and bright rooms to keep them in. My cat eats some of my plants too, those I keep in my bathroom that has a window. That door stays shut to keep the plant eater (aka Oscar) out. 🙂
@Grace – Thanks! I'm happy that I've inspired you!
GRACE PETERSON says
Wow. I LOVE your succulent dish gardens. You inspire me. Maybe I'll give them a go sometimes.
PlantPostings says
These are great tips on caring for succulents, Amy! Do you have a special room or spot for your plants? I wish my cats weren't so naughty. I'd have a lot more plants. Maybe I need to build an unreachable shelf. 😉
RIRN says
Sorry to say, Plant Postings, but I don’t believe there is such a thing as an unreachable shelf. I’ve lost three good-sized, lovely jade plants to three different cats in my lifetime. No shelf was high enough. You may have to choose between cats and plants. Personally, I went with the cats. Good luck, RIRN#1
Amy Andrychowicz says
Haha, that’s very true! Sorry to hear about your poor jade plants. My cats don’t bother mine at all, luckily.