Are Succulents OK In The Shade?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Are OK in the shade? Succulents, however, are a great plant to use under a tree because even though they're thought of as sun lovers,

they also grow well in the shade

. And, once established, succulents in the garden don't need watering. Generally, succulents with grey or green foliage are better for low-light areas.

Can succulents survive in full shade?

Full shade (FS)

Plants in full shade (or “deep shade”) don't get much sun at all, and if they do, it's brief and not intense.

Full shade is OK for a few succulents, such as sansevierias, but most need some sun to thrive and look their best

.

Can succulents survive without direct sunlight?


No succulent will survive with a complete lack of light

, though. So, if you live in a basement apartment, have only a north-facing window, or if your space has no windows at all, consider purchasing a small tabletop grow light for your succulent plants, even if they are varieties of succulents that grow in low light.

Do succulents prefer sun or shade?

Succulents love

direct sun

, but if yours is sitting in the same exact spot day after day, it's likely that only one side is getting enough light. Langton and Ray suggest rotating the plant often. Succulents will lean towards the sun, so rotating them will help them stand up straight.

Can a succulent live in a dark room?

Keep in mind that any plant needs solar rays for photosynthesis, so

there are no succulents for dark rooms without windows

. The plant needs at least a few hours every day of sun.

Where is the best place to grow succulents?

Almost all succulents will thrive in

full-sun hot spots or in bright light

, although it pays to check the plant label for best-growing conditions or aim to replicate the area from where the healthy-looking cutting was taken. Succulents thrive in full-sun areas of the garden.

How do you grow succulents indoors without sunlight?

You might be surprised to know you can still grow your succulents year round even if you live in a climate where there are distinct seasons and winter months are cold and dark. Just bring them inside once cooler temperatures hit and

use artificial lights to give your succulents the light they need

.

Can I put a succulent in a room with no windows?

Succulents and cacti “are very tolerant of low-light conditions. They don't have to be near a window to thrive,” he said. In fact,

some succulents will grow in areas where there is no natural light, such as rooms without windows

. Silverman cautioned against placing succulents too close to heat sources.

How often should you water a succulent?

You should water your succulents

every other week during non-winter months when temperatures are above 40 degrees

. During the winter time (when temperatures are below 40 degrees) you should only water your succulent once a month because it is dormant during this time. There are a few exceptions to this rule.

Why are my succulents dying?

The reason for a succulent dying is most often because of

root rot due to overwatering and slow draining soils

. Succulents are drought resistant plants that require the soil to dry out between watering. Brown, yellow or black mushy leaves indicate the succulent is dying because the soil is too damp.

How do you know when a succulent needs water?

Signs Your Succulent is Thirsty


Wrinkled, shriveled leaves

are a clear indication that your Succulent needs more water. As the cells release their stored moisture to the rest of the plant, they try to bring in more water to replace what they have lost.

How do I know if my succulent needs more light?

When succulents are getting the right amount of sun

they'll often “blush” or change colors

. This is such a beautiful transformation to see! If they start to get too much sun however the leaves will actually burn. You may begin to notice white or pale patches on the succulent leaves.

Is there a plant that doesn't need sunlight?

2.

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Chinese evergreen plants are easy to grow and are among the many indoor plants that don't need sunlight. Many people say it's a great plant to start with if you're new to caring for houseplants.

Do succulents multiply?


Many succulents multiply themselves through division

, but some cacti will have small plants appear along the ribs or leaf edges of the plant. When the plantlets are big enough to handle easily, they can be removed.

What do succulents grow best in?

Succulents do best in

a sunny spot in very well-drained soil

. Their fleshy leaves are designed to store water, so they're able to cope with periods of drought. Most prefer a very slightly acidic soil. Succulents will struggle to grow in poorly drained, heavy soils.

How long can succulents be in the dark?

Succulents can survive without any light whatsoever for short periods. How long will depend on the particular species, but in general, if they are in a place with minimal or no light, most succulents will live without deteriorating too much for

10-14 days

.

Are office lights enough for succulents?

You will want to put your succulent under some artificial light. They will need about 6 hours of light per day.

Your plants will be okay under that florescent or LED light above your desk

. If you are able to, consider getting a small grow lamp to keep by your desk.

Is there a difference between indoor and outdoor succulents?

You may have noticed that

succulents growing outdoors often seem to be healthier and prettier than those grown indoors

. The two biggest reasons for this are more sunlight (which prevents stretching) and better airflow (allowing the roots to dry out more quickly).

Can you use ice cubes to water succulents?

Succulent or not,

any plant won't appreciate being watered with ice cubes

. Instead, you are better off using room-temperature water so as not to cause them stress. You'll also want to plant them in pots that promote not only proper water drainage but also good air circulation.

Do you water succulents from the top or bottom?

Do:

Water from above, until it comes out of the pot's drainage hole

: This is the standard watering technique for most houseplants, and it works well for succulents too. Fill a watering can or cup and run a slow and steady stream of room temperature water all over the top layer of your succulent's soil.

Can succulents be outside?

A common question is can succulents live outside? The short answer is

yes!

They thrive in sunny locations with warm, dry climates and can tolerate some neglect, so growing succulents outdoors is a great option. Grow succulents in-ground, in pots, or tuck them away in unexpected planting spots.

Can you bring a dead succulent back to life?

Bringing Your Succulents Back to Life

One of the reasons many people love growing succulents is their resilience. Sadly, this translates to some people as a license to neglect their plants.

Once your succulent has completely died, there will be no way to revive it anymore

.

What does an overwatered succulent look like?

An overwatered plant will have

mushy leaves that feel soft and squishy

. What is this? The color of the leaves would appear lighter than a healthy plant, or turn translucent in color. A lot of times an overwatered succulent would drop leaves easily even when lightly touched.

How do you revive a dying succulent?

Dig the succulent out of the soil and remove excess soil stuck to the roots, cut off any brown/black roots as these are rotten already. Leave the plant on a mesh or any kind of strainer till the roots have air dried from anywhere two to three days. When the roots are dry completely, plant them back in the pot.

How long can you leave succulents without water?

They can go up to

1-3 months

of no watering. Indoor succulents will have less exposure to the elements outdoors – wind and sunlight outdoors tend to dry out the soil faster than it does indoors. In cooler climates, generally fall and winter, the soil stays moist for longer periods of time.

Do succulents need to be repotted?

On average,

you should repot your succulents every two years

to make sure the soil is fresh and fertile and there is enough space for the plant to grow. Timing is also an important factor you should care about.

Why are my succulent leaves falling off when I touch them?

This is not usually a problem as most succulent plant leaves stay on the plant and only fall off when touched. The leaves falling off is

a natural response to the stress induced by heat and drought

. If this happens in your plants, you should place them in an area with less sun exposure.

Why are my succulents screaming?

A new study suggests that

plants that are stressed by drought or physical damage may emit ultrasonic squeals

. In times of intense stress, people sometimes let out their angst with a squeal ⁠— and a new study suggests that plants might do the same.

What do unhealthy succulents look like?

Signs of healthy succulents include

vibrant colors, firm leaves, and slow growth

. Succulents are not meant to grow quickly. So although this may seem like a red flag, this is actually a great sign. Additionally, dried leaves may occasionally be found at the bottom of your succulent but this is also a great sign.

Do all succulents like full sun?

While they appreciate a lot of light (and very few survive in full shade),

most succulents need sun protection

, especially if the temperature hits the 90-degree-mark, or if they're small. Varieties that are solid green, pale, or variegated are most in danger of sun burn.

Can succulents grow in rocks without soil?

Unfortunately, that means

succulents cannot grow in rocks without soil long-term

. They may survive for several weeks or even months on the stores they have available in the stems and leaves, but will slowly die without consistent care.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.