Succulents are one of the most loved indoor plants, as they are inexpensive and require very little maintenance. You don’t even need to water your succulents every day.
But, do you know exactly how long can succulents go without water?
Succulents could take a few weeks, months, and sometimes a long time and survive perfectly without water. Their major root systems can drink and preserve water in their leaves and stems. They tap their storage water when they require it. When you plant succulents indoors, generally, they need less water and can go up to 3 months without water.
How Long Can Succulents Go Without Water?
It’s tough to discover the number of times when it comes to the amount of water succulents go without, but your succulent may survive with no water from a few weeks to a month, depending on the kind or species of succulents.
Age & Type of succulent
Succulents have a major category of plants that could survive for a long time: thicker stems, leaves and more compact.
The small leaves’ succulents won’t be able to survive more than a month or two without water. Because due to small leaves, they fail to retain sufficient water to live for long.
Some kinds of succulents, like Crassula or Graptopetalum, can go up to 3 months with no water because they are shriveled and are not able to recover. Some certain species of Cacti can go 6 months or more with no water & Lithops can go with water a few times in 1 year.
Outdoor & hot climate or indoor climate
Humidity and temperatures are factors you can’t control outdoors; it’s better to go indoors. As the humidity and temperature can maintain more balanced values, and you can manipulate these factors so that they best suit the requirements of your succulent.
Season of the year
For succulents to survive in a certain season depends on the temperature as they lose more moisture during hot weather than they do in winter months.
Location
When planted indoors in filtered light, succulents, need less water, butthosee planted outdoors in the presence of the Sun require more water frequently.
Pot material & size
A tiny succulent is possibly planted in a small pot as it dries out more quickly and requires more frequent watering. When your succulents are left for a longer period unattended, think about their size also & plant them in a bigger pot.
Soil condition
You have to plant succulents in the correct soil, like well-drained soil formulated for use with cacti. The soil which has larger particles is better than most potting soils. They may include sand, gravel, bark or even perlite. This type of soil would allow for less water retention and good drainage.
How do you know if succulent needs water?
If you leave your succulent without proper watering, it will indicate dehydration, like leaves becoming wrinkled, turning white or brown, puckering of the plant and droopiness.
What happens if you don’t water a succulent?
The succulent-like Cacti will not be impacted by a couple of weeks of drought and can show any sign of less water after 3 months. They may go with no water for up to weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do you water succulents while on vacation?
If you are planning for a vacation and leave your succulents for a few days, then give them a good amount of water, so it should keep them healthy while you are away.
Can succulents go for 2 months without water?
They can live without water for 1 to 3 months. And thin leaf succulents are not able to retain water for more than 2 months.
How often do succulents need water?
You must water them twice or thrice a week, depending on the factors like temperature and light.
Should you mist succulents?
No need to spray bottle to water your succulents as misting can mould the leaves and cause brittle roots.
Conclusion
Watering succulents is an art since it is not as easy as watering them daily. It is important to know that succulents have varying water requirements. Depending on the succulent and how you care for it, some may need less regular watering than others.
