Succulents are a popular choice for houseplants, but they can be tricky to care for. They’ll look fine one day and then limp and lifeless a few days later. This is because succulents can take a long time to show signs of stress, making a sudden death appear out of nowhere if they have been suffering for a while. But don’t fret! As long as your succulent is still showing signs of life, it can be revived.
Signs that your succulent is dying
- Black leaves that start from the bottom
- Brown, mushy leaves
- Pale, yellow leaves
- Wrinkly, dehydrated leaves
- Brown roots
- Leaves will start to fall off with just a slight bump
Here are some ideas for how you can help revive your beloved succulent.
1. Inspect your succulent
Brown, yellow, or mushy leaves indicate that it has been over-watered and is growing in slow-draining, damp soil, which can lead to root rot. Dark leaves could indicate that it has been exposed to too much direct sunlight. Loose leaves could indicate overstress caused by too much moisture in the soil.
Start by removing the succulent from its pot and slowly cutting and pruning away any of the rotted roots and dead leaves. Make certain that all of the rot has been removed from the plant. Don’t worry if you cut too many roots; as long as there are still some left, it can still grow and spread quickly once repotted.
2. Prepare the soil
Succulents need well-draining soil in order to thrive. Too much water or moisture causes you succulent to die and wither. So, use a lighter mix, such as a cactus or succulent mix. This type of soil is much lighter and provides better drainage than traditional potting soil. You can also add some perlite or pumice to the existing potting soil to help loosen it up. Also, if the pot has drainage holes in the bottom, ensure that they are open and unobstructed.
3. Repot the succulent
It’s very important to air-dry the roots before you start repotting your succulent. Leave them on a mesh or a strainer for a few hours or days to ensure they’re completely dry. Then start putting them back in the pot with proper soil. Whatever you do, don’t water the succulent yet. Don’t worry, because succulents store water in their leaves, they can live for weeks even without being watered. In fact, it’s possible that overwatering was what initially made it wither. Before you water your plant, you need to make sure that its roots have grown. If not, the plant will sit in the wet soil and start to rot again.
Now that your succulent is all set, learn more about how to properly care for your succulents to avoid overwatering and keep them alive and healthy. Good luck!