Mushy Succulents: Quick and Simple Fixes
Succulents are highly coveted for their unique form and low-maintenance needs, making them ideal for gardening novices and busy individuals. However, the plight of a succulent turning mushy can conjure worry, leaving people scrambling to identify the problem and find a remedy. In this comprehensive guide, we decode the issue and offer easy-to-implement solutions to restore your succulents to optimal health.
The primary suspect behind mushy succulents is commonly overwatering, leading to root rot. Overwatering tends to occur because succulents, native to desert environments, require far less water than the average houseplant. Over time, chronic overwatering leads to the succulent’s roots becoming waterlogged and oxygen-deprived, causing them to rot. The rot then ascends to the stem, transforming the once crisp plant into a mushy and wilting mess.
However, underwatering can also result in a succulent turning soft as they pull liquids from their fleshy leaves to make up for insufficient watering. The leaf cells gradually collapse, resulting in the plant’s soft, squishy texture. Determining whether your succulent is overwatered or underwatered can be a challenge. Still, the task becomes more straightforward with knowledge about the difference between these conditions.
Overwatered succulents display a soft and mushy feel that spreads quickly, starting from the bottom and progressing upwards. The color also shifts, turning from a bright shade to a more transparent and dull tone. Underwatered ones, on the other hand, appear wrinkled or shriveled with flat or concave leaves.
Once the cause is discerned, simple fixes can be applied to help your succulent regain health. For overwatered succulents suffering from root rot, the first step is to remove the plant from its current soil. Following this, any black, rotten roots should be cut off, leaving only the healthy white ones behind. Remember to sterilize your cutting tool both before and after usage to avert any infection risk.
After all severely affected leaves and roots have been removed, let the succulent dry out for a day or two. This step allows the cut areas to dry and heal, lowering the chance of infection. After the resting period, repot the succulent in new, dry cacti or succulent soil in a pot with a drainage hole to prevent water stagnation. Following repotting, avoid watering for about a week to allow the plant to adjust to its new environment.
Regarding watering, there’s a well-formed mantra among the succulent community: ‘Underwater is better than overwatered.’ To avoid overwatering, observe an interval of at least a week between watering during growing seasons (spring and summer), and further reduce this to monthly in the dormant periods (fall and winter). Use a well-draining soil and ensure your pots have sufficient drainage holes to avoid waterlogging.
For underwatered succulents, the remedy is relatively more straightforward. Start by giving your succulent a nice soak until you observe water running out from the drainage hole. Consistently monitor your succulent afterward, adding small amounts of water whenever you notice the soil becoming dry.
Additionally, using a pot that allows quick water evaporation, like clay or terracotta, will help avert overwatering. For those who struggle with gauging how much water their succulent needs, a soil moisture meter can be the perfect tool to prevent under or overwatering.
Aside from watering issues, extreme temperatures can often cause your succulents to turn mushy. They are sensitive to temperature fluctuations and should be shielded from extreme heat or cold. If you live in a place with sweltering summer weather, using shade cloth can protect your outdoor succulents from becoming sunburned. On the other hand, bringing your outdoor plants inside during winter will protect them from cold damage.
In conclusion, while a mushy succulent may present quite a concern, it’s not a death sentence. With the appropriate remedies and measures implemented promptly, your succulent can bounce back to its healthy, hardy self. Understanding the specific needs of these unique plants can prevent the issue from arising in the first place, allowing you and your succulent to enjoy a long, flourishing relationship.
