how to take care of succulents in the winter

How to Take Care of Succulents in the Winter – A Complete Guide

Succulents are beautiful low-maintenance plants that can thrive indoors and outdoors. However, caring for succulents in the colder winter months requires some special attention. With the right care your succulents can survive the winter and return to their glory in the spring. In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about overwintering both indoor and outdoor succulents.

Start by Identifying Your Succulents

The first step is identifying which type of succulents you have – hardy or tender.

Hardy succulents like sedum sempervivum and euphorbia can withstand freezing temperatures as low as -20°F. They can be left outdoors all winter in most climates.

Tender succulents like aeonium, echeveria, and crassula prefer temperatures above 30°F and will need to be brought indoors or given winter protection. Even a light frost can damage their leaves.

Knowing the type of succulent you have will determine the appropriate winter care. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and protect tender varieties.

Caring for Indoor Succulents

If you have tender succulents, they will need to be brought inside before the first frost, usually around late September or October. Here are some tips for keeping them happy indoors:

• Allow the soil to dry out completely before bringing plants inside. Wet soil can lead to rot when moving them.

• Prune off any dead leaves or stems, which can harbor pests and diseases. Also remove fallen leaves from the soil surface.

• Choose a spot with ample sunlight from a south or west facing window. Supplement natural light with a grow light if needed.

• Water sparingly, only when the soil is completely dry. The frequency will vary based on light levels but may be as little as once a month.

• Ensure the pot has drainage holes and use a gritty soil mix to prevent wet feet.

• Avoid fertilizing, as growth slows down in winter. Resume fertilizing in spring.

• Monitor for pests like mealybugs and spider mites which thrive indoors. Isolate and treat any infested plants.

• Maintain indoor temperatures between 50-60°F. Avoid drafty areas and heat sources.

With the right conditions, most tender succulents will thrive indoors until spring. Gradually acclimate them to the outdoors again when danger of frost has passed.

Protecting Outdoor Succulents

Hardy succulents can remain outdoors all winter in many climates if given some extra protection. Here are some tips:

• Reduce watering frequency as growth slows. Aim for every 2-3 weeks depending on rainfall. The soil should be fairly dry between waterings.

• Move pots together in a sheltered location, like against the house or under an overhang. This protects the roots from hard freezes.

• Cover with frost cloth or burlap if hard freezes are expected. Remove during daytime.

• Add mulch around the base to insulate roots from cold soil. Take care not to pile mulch onto the stems.

• Check for pests like aphids which can move in over winter. Spray off with water or use insecticidal soap.

• Prune away any dead or damaged growth to improve air circulation and prevent rot.

• On exceptionally cold nights below 20°F, consider covering with a blanket or moving pots into an unheated garage temporarily.

With some simple preparations, hardy succulents can stay outdoors all season long in many climates. Sheltering them from the elements will keep them looking their best.

Signs of Cold Damage

If winter temperatures take a sudden plunge, succulents can show signs of cold injury. Frost damage usually appears as darker, mushy areas on the leaves and stems. The affected tissue eventually shrivels and turns brown.

For mild cases caught early, the damage may be limited by taking these actions:

• Move plants to a warmer area if possible to prevent the damage from spreading.

• Resist the urge to water frost-damaged plants. This encourages rot.

• Allow several weeks for the succulent to recover before resume a cautious watering schedule.

• Once growth resumes in spring, damaged leaves and stems can be removed. New growth should fill in.

Severe frost damage often cannot be reversed. But succulents are resilient and will likely produce new growth from healthy tissue when conditions improve. Just be patient with any frost-bitten specimens.

Overwintering Tips for Specific Succulents

Certain succulents have particular needs when overwintering. Here are some useful tips for popular varieties:

• Aeoniums are very tender and require indoor temperatures above 50°F when dormant. Limit water.

• Echeveria should be kept cool, ideally around 40-50°F. Allow soil to completely dry out between waterings.

• Graptopetalum do best with winter minimums around 30-40°F and prefer slightly drier soil.

• Sedum and sempervivum are extremely cold hardy and can stay outdoors with adequate frost protection.

• Senecio prefer cool temperatures between 40-50°F and tolerate slightly more moisture than most succulents.

• Crassula ovata (Jade Plant) adapts well to indoor conditions year-round. Keep moderately dry in winter.

Knowing the particular needs of your succulents will help you modify their care and keep them thriving through the winter. When in doubt, err on the side of less water and more sunlight.

Overwintering Strategies for Special Cases

Tender succulents grown as landscaping or in the ground can also survive the winter but will require more preparation:

• Select cold-tolerant varieties whenever possible, like some sedum and sempervivum.

• Provide winter protection with cloches, cold frames, burlap or frost blankets when hard freezes are expected.

• Mulch around the base with straw or leaves for insulation from frozen soil. Take care not to bury leaves or crowd stems.

• Avoid fertilizing late in the season so growth can harden off properly.

• Water deeply in fall so roots are well hydrated going into winter dormancy.

• Transplant tender succulents into temporary pots that can be moved indoors as needed when the weather turns cold.

With some advance planning, you can keep even tender succulents planted in the ground over winter. Focus on cold protection and they’ll return bigger and stronger in spring.

Caring for Succulents Indoors Over Winter

If you decide to make your tender succulents houseguests for the winter, here are some decorating and care tips:

• Choose a bright, sunny window and supplement with grow lights to mimic outdoor light levels. Rotating plants periodically prevents one-sided stretching toward light.

• Use cache pots or drip trays to protect furniture from moisture. Overflow drainage can stain surfaces.

• Top-dress pots with pebbles or sand to prevent soil from splashing onto leaves and avoid rot.

• Display smaller succulents together on tray tables or plant stands near sunlight to create mini gardens.

• Larger specimens like jade or crown of thorns make excellent floor plants in sunny rooms.

• Mist succulent leaves occasionally with water to increase humidity in dry, heated homes.

• Avoid drafty areas near heat vents, fireplaces and doorways.

With proper sunlight and appropriate care adjustments, succulents can add life to indoor spaces all winter long. And they’ll be that much healthier when spring returns.