If you like succulents you know that they are super resistant plants that need very moderate care. Mine had a great spring and summer, they are growing beautiful and strong. But there are many different seasons in a year and the care of these plants has to differ during them. We have to be attentive to how the different climates impact them and take necessary care. In the same light, this post sketches the best tips to prevent succulents from suffering abrupt changes in winters:
Please note: In botany, general rules cannot be confirmed since each space and each floor is unique. But we will try to establish some special care that can be applied in winter.
Most Important is Proper Irrigation
The first and most important is that the frequency of irrigation must be reduced. If in summer we water our succulents once a week, with the arrival of the cold do it once every twenty days.
And once a month, if you have cactus.
Know-How to Water in Winters
Since we give little, let’s do it well. That is to say: let’s take advantage of water on a sunny day. Take your succulents outside, water them in the morning and thereafter leave them several hours outside. So the plants can be ventilated. They are going to oxygenate and it’s perfect for them.
Prevent them from Freezing
Most succulents do not withstand low temperatures. Therefore, when the average temperatures fall below 10º they must be placed in more protected places. If you live in a city with buildings around, it is a good idea to put them under a gallery. But if you live on the outskirts of the city, in very open places where frost is more frequent, it will be necessary to protect them with a special anti-frost cloth.
Don’t Panic If You Notice Change in Color
Most succulents and also many other plants, enter winter in a period of rest. This must be taken into account because we are going to notice that the growth stagnate. As a result, the plants lose some color. So, don’t panic it is just the cycles of its growth.
Special Care For Indoors
Interiors succulents do not live well in winters without special care. They need plenty of light. Lack of lightning results in limited and unevenly growth. A few hours of direct sun rays are perfect for them. So, put them closer to the window or if you have an exterior area, place them there. Apart from the lightning, the room temperature must also be controlled. It should not decrease from 10 degrees.
Do Not Forget About The Outdoors
Here is the real problem, because external factors appear that we cannot control. It can happen that succulents that we saw happy begin to turn yellow, to rot because of the excesses of rain or to beheaded by the cold. This is why we recommend:
Protect succulents from rains. This is aimed primarily at those with roofless terraces, balconies or patios. In that case, it is best to see if they can at least be relocated under an eave or in a corner of the balcony that receives less rain. If we do not have this option, we can choose to put some type of small or medium shelter. Or if you want an expeditious and quick option, place them under an umbrella.
Protect Them From Hail
Protect succulents from the cold rains. Gather the succulents and look for some corner of the outside where the angle of a wall protects them. In the very likely case that the storm grabs the succulents there are also rescue plans and precautions to take into account:
There is a specific substrate for outdoor succulents. It favors water drainage and contains sand, perlite and in some cases a little carbon to prevent the fungus from leaking out.
Try to remove excess water from succulents and if necessary dry them or change the substrate.
Be careful from the worms, who usually come to say hello, after a lot of rain.
In case of heavy rains or frosts (and little space inside to protect them) protect them by making a kind of greenhouse with plastic or glass. This will also create a micro-climate to form inside, which will keep your seedlings at a good temperature. But make sure the succulents continue to receive the necessary light.
Also, note that when there is a better temperature outside, you should ventilate or remove the plastic so they can breathe and take light.
Final Tip
The most important thing is to understand that all species are different, and consequently, they can respond differently, depending on where they are. There are multiple factors that can influence the development of our succulents, such as water, light, temperature, humidity, etc. That is why it is very important that both in cold and hot seasons, you recognize very well what are the best spaces or places to have them. Remember that low light + excess moisture is a fatal mixture for our plants, especially now that more ice is coming.
We hope with all my heart that these tips will help you care for them in this cooler time. Share your experiences in the comment section below so that we learn together to take better care of them.
