How to Care for the Succulents You Grow Indoors

Succulents have a reputation for being troopers under adverse conditions. As desert natives, they're accustomed to harsh conditions and capable of surviving both lengthy droughts and extreme temperatures better than many of their plant peers, since they store their water in their signature thick, fleshy leaves and stems (the word "succulent" is derived from the Latin word sucus, meaning "juice").

Learn from plant experts how to care for succulents indoors and why these low-maintenance plants can become some of the prettiest plants in your indoor garden.

Succulent Varieties to Grow

In warmer, drier parts of the United States, including the West and Southwest regions, many types of succulents can thrive outside, including agave, yucca, opuntia, and pediocactus. But in areas where temperatures drop below freezing throughout the year, it's important to choose a succulent that's happy with moderate warmth, sunny windowsills, and a well-drained pot, says Scott Preusser, assistant horticultural curator at the Denver Botanic Gardens.

His suggestions include the following:

• Haworthia, which looks like a mini aloe plant
• Aloe, a favorite for its health benefits
• Crassula, known as the lucky plant
• Echeveria, which is rosetta-inspired
• Mammillaria, a globe-shaped cactus
• Astrophytum, which is star-shaped
• Echinopsis, also known as a hedgehog or Easter lily cactus

For more varieties to grow indoors, check out our guide to low-maintenance succulents and choose the best option for your home.

How to Grow and Care for Succulents Indoors

A succulent's care requirements will depend on the variety you're growing. Here are a few general ways to keep this plant type happy.

Sunlight

Although some shade-loving varieties exist, most succulents need light—lots and lots of light. "Generally, succulent plants want as much sun as you can give them, but will tolerate some shade," says Preusser. Choose the brightest spot you can find to bring out the rich colors of your succulents.

Not all homes offer the ideal growing conditions for succulents, though. "If you only have north-facing windows, you probably don't get enough light for most succulents," says Summer Rayne Oakes, founder of Homestead Brooklyn and author of the book How to Make a Plant Love You. For homes that don't receive large amounts of natural light, specialized LED grow lights can help succulents thrive—or you can opt for a variety that survives in darker conditions, such as ox tongue and snake plants.

Soil

Lightweight, premixed succulent soil blends offer better drainage than standard options, which can be too dense for delicate succulent roots that are prone to rot. Succulent mixes vary but generally contain a mix of sphagnum peat moss, perlite, and mycorrhizae to promote drainage and prevent soil compaction. "Most general, well-draining soil mixes will work well," says Preusser. "You can make your own cactus mix by adding 30 to 50 percent gravel, lava rock, or perlite to a standard mix. Make sure the container you choose has a drainage hole; I like to top-dress with gravel to finish it off."

Water

Each succulent variety has its own unique watering needs, and environmental factors such as the amount of light and the temperature of the air can affect how much water an individual plant requires. However, Preusser offers a simple rule: "It's always better to be on the dry side," he says. "When in doubt, do without."

To keep your succulents healthy:

• In low light conditions (such as during winter), water about once every two weeks.
• In brighter, warmer months, increase watering to about once a week.
• Check the soil regularly. It should stay wet, but it shouldn't look dry and dusty either.
• Watch your plant. Shriveling leaves are a sign that your succulent needs a drink.

"Plants aren't décor," says Oakes. "You have to observe them and see what they need."

Fertilizer

Preusser recommends fertilizing succulents three times during their growing season, once each in May, July, and September, with 15-15-15 fertilizer at one-third the labeled rate. "That way, the nutrients are spread out over a longer stretch of time," he says. If you don't mind a slight ocean scent in your home, he suggests using seaweed extract as an additive. "It's a little stinky, but worth it, and loaded with micronutrients," he says.

Temperature and Airflow

As long as your indoor air temperature stays in a comfortable range, the fluctuation of temperature by season will benefit indoor succulents. "A good general temperature range is 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and most can take it hotter in summer months," says Preusser. "Many gardeners will move potted plants in and out of a house or greenhouse as cold temperatures allow."

How to Repot Succulents

In their natural environment, succulents often grow close to each other, says Preusser, so they prefer a tight container and don't need frequent repotting. "I like to repot into the next bigger size gradually, only leaving an inch or two of room between the plant and container edge," he says. "Repotting should be done infrequently and only when a plant outgrows its container or becomes too difficult to water."

Oakes suggests that new gardeners use terra-cotta planters with drainage holes to encourage dry, healthy roots; the clay naturally wicks away moisture, and excess water can escape through the bottom. However, once you're more familiar with succulents and their unique soil and watering needs, you can use almost any vessel, from teapots to dresser drawers.

How to Prune Succulents

When compact, low-growing succulents don't receive enough light, they sprawl upwards to find the sun, resulting in an awkward "leggy" appearance. "Plants that have stems can be thinned or cut down at the base to regenerate," says Preusser.

Oakes avoids pruning, letting her leafy friends morph as they grow. "Plants, and succulents especially, will change over time," she says. "You can buy certain types that maintain their cuteness, but then you miss out on a lot of plants. I try not to get obsessed with things looking Pinterest-perfect."

How to Propagate Succulents

Succulents are easy to propagate. "Most cuttings will root easily if put into small pots of dirt," says Preusser. 

Use a sharp, clean blade to take a fresh cutting—ideally of a stem sprouting wispy aerial roots off its side; this is a sign the stem is ready to leave home and put down roots of its own. Place the cutting in a shallow container of soil, then mist—don't overwater—until sturdier roots have developed.

Common Problems With Succulents

Succulents are typically hardy and easy to grow, but keep an eye out for these issues—and nip them in the bud before they seriously harm your plant.

Pests

Succulents suffer from few pest problems, especially when kept indoors, but you might see mealybugs, spider mites, or scale, says Preusser; spot treat these with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol.

Overwatering

One easy way to kill a succulent is to give it too much water. "Generally speaking, most people are overwatering their succulents," says Oakes. "Many have very sensitive roots." Choose a pot with reliable drainage to help keep delicate roots dry and remember—drier is better.

Burned Leaves

Succulents face one of the same summer health concerns as people: sunburn. If succulents receive an abundant amount of intense light, they may turn pale and go dormant, says Preusser. Luckily, there's an easy fix: If your plants are fading, simply move them further from the window.