The Essential Guide to Caring for Succulents Indoors
| Practical advice on light, water, and soil to keep your indoor drought-resistant plants thriving.
Why Succulents Fail (The Over-Love Problem)
Most people who fail at keeping succulents alive do so because they treat them like regular houseplants. The number one killer is overwatering. These plants store water in their leaves and roots, meaning they thrive on neglect.
The Three Pillars of Succulent Success
- Light (The Non-Negotiable): Succulents need bright, indirect sunlight, ideally 6 hours per day. A south-facing window is usually best. If their leaves start stretching and spreading far apart (etiolation), they are desperate for light.
- Water (The Soak and Dry Method): Only water when the soil is completely dry—usually every 2-4 weeks. When you do water, give them a deep soak until water runs out the drainage hole. Never let them sit in a saucer of water.
- Soil (Drainage is Key): Do not use regular potting soil. It retains too much moisture. Use a specialized cactus/succulent mix or amend regular soil with perlite or coarse sand to ensure rapid drainage. A pot with a drainage hole is absolutely mandatory.
By treating these resilient plants like the desert dwellers they are, you ensure they stay compact, colorful, and healthy.