When you think of caring for succulents and succulents, watering is the first thing that comes to mind.

Watering is certainly the biggest challenge when it comes to growing succulents at home.
However, if you keep a close eye on your plant, it will let you know how much water it needs.

In this little guide, I take a look at all the difficulties that can be encountered when growing succulents at home. Don’t hesitate to ask me your questions in the comments.

All you need to know about caring for indoor succulents

• Recognizing your fat plant
• Where to install your houseplant
• How to water your succulents
• How to tell if the substrate is dry
• How the plant signals thirst
• How the plant signals it has too much water
• Diseases and parasites
• Potting

1 – Recognizing your fat plant

Depending on the origin of your plant, you’ll need different care.

We sometimes tend to confuse houseleeks and Echeveria succulents, for example. Some will die indoors, while others will suffer from rain and frost outside.

I invite you to read this article to understand what a fat plant is: What’s the difference between succulents, succulents and cacti?

Indoor, rosette-shaped succulents are native to hot, arid regions such as Mexico and Portugal.

Joubarbes, on the other hand, come from areas where the soil is arid and poor in nutrients, but often watered, such as in the mountains. They therefore tolerate cold very well, and some varieties even appreciate it.

The key to succulent and succulent plant care is, as with all plants, observation. But it’s true that, in the case of succulents, knowing their geographical origin is a great help to their care.

Find out more about how to tell the difference between Echeveria, Joubarbe and Sempervivum.

To help you find your way around more quickly, here’s an article presenting my collection. You’ll find the most common commercial plants:

Recognize and name succulents and succulent plants

2 – Where to place succulents in the home?

In the sun, behind uncurtained glass.

Place your plants in the room that receives the most light and sunlight. Unlike orchids, which need lots of light but fear direct sunlight, succulents such as Echeveria, Graptopelatum or Pachyphytum need direct sunlight.

Haworthias tolerate the absence of sun but still need plenty of light. A bit like orchids, but in a drier environment.

Cacti also like sunshine, but unlike Echeverias, they need a slightly cool winter spot (but not too cold either – observe the cactus to see if it’s cold).

Can we take succulents and succulent plants outside in summer?

Yes, you can and you should if you have a sunny garden or balcony. But beware of sunburn.

Before putting your indoor succulents in full sun, it’s important to take a few precautions.

Read more: Bringing succulents and succulents out in summer

3 – How to water succulents indoors

The best watering method is basking.

Put a little water in a bowl and place the pot in it for about an hour. The plant will absorb the amount of water it needs, and the substrate the amount of water it can hold.

Never leave water in the saucer under the plant.

Wait until the substrate is completely dry before watering the plant again.
These plants are native to arid zones and can resist thirst for a very long time.
Moisture kills them faster than lack of water.

Mistakes not to be made

1 – Use an undrilled pot
2 – Use a substrate that retains water
3 – Spray instead of baste or water

Is the substrate/soil dry?

1 – Weigh the pot after watering (on a scale or in your hand). Re-weigh the pot regularly. As long as it loses weight, it contains water. When it stops losing weight, water evaporation is complete and the soil is completely dry.

2 – If you pick up the plant between two fingers and it comes out of its pot easily, the potting soil is no longer sticking to the sides of the pot and is therefore dry.

How can I tell if my plant is thirsty?

Observe the appearance of the plant

• Dull color
• Leaves facing downwards
• Small wrinkles on the leaves
• Leaves are soft to the touch

Solution

Increase watering frequency
Make sure that the water rises to the surface of the potting soil or that the pot feels heavy.

How do I know if my plant has too much water?

As with a thirsty plant, observe the plant’s appearance.

• Leaves turn yellow and take on a translucent appearance
• Soft appearance
• Leaves fall as soon as you touch them

Solution

• Do not water for a long time
• If possible, remove the plant from its pot and place it on absorbent paper, or place the pot on absorbent paper.
  the pot on absorbent paper. Replace the paper until the potting soil is dry.
• Allow the pot to dry out or repot in a dry pot.

To find out more about watering, see also: How do I water succulents and succulents?

4 – Diseases and parasites of succulents and succulent plants

Once you’ve found the right spot in your home and got the watering under control, succulents should thrive. However, in a warm, confined interior, there’s always a risk of pests like mealybugs setting in.

Scale insects can be seen in the form of a veil, white powder or a frothy white secretion.

As soon as symptoms appear, you need to react quickly to prevent the infestation from spreading to other plants in your collection.

My method:

I spray the plant with a 50% vinegar / 50% water mixture. I wait 2 or 3 minutes for the vinegar to kill the bugs, then rinse the plant with a jet of water. Because plants don’t like vinegar either.

The following days, observe the plant and repeat the operation if necessary.

Then, as soon as the weather’s fine, take the plant out onto the balcony. Mealybugs don’t like fresh air!

If aphids are attacking your plant, treat it with a mixture of water and black soap. Be careful not to overuse the soap, as some plants cannot tolerate it.

5 – Should you repot your succulent?

In all cases, if the plant is in a plastic mini-pot, it should be repotted after purchase. This type of pot is too small and favors water retention and mold growth.

After that, it’s up to you!

If you want your plant to grow and thrive, you need to repot it. Otherwise, it will adapt to the size of the pot.

When repotting, the plant sometimes takes advantage of the opportunity to produce small shoots which can be cut off to produce new plants.

If you wish to repot, choose a well-breathing terracotta pot with a drainage hole.