Living in scorching Austin, TX, without a "green thumb" means I plant succulents ... and succulents only. Last winter was devastating for some of my stock. I left them on the patio for most of the winter, and when the temp dipped I'd drag them inside ... and later back outside. It was a tiring dance, and usually done in pajamas and mukluks.
I forgot to bring them in during an overnight freeze and lost the most amazing fully flourishing succulent. Devastating! Luckily I'd previously given my mom a cutting and received what she'd grown when Spring came. I vowed no casualties this winter!
So I researched how to care for succulents during the winter, and thought I'd document it here for reference.
How To Take Care of Succulents in the Winter
Succulents can withstand temps of 45-degrees to 55-degrees Fahrenheit. Anything BELOW that, and it's best to bring them inside (or cover them, which isn't foolproof).It seems like there are a few hard and fast rules for indoor succulent care ...
1. Don't water too much. Prep succulents for winter by giving them less water in late fall. From what I've read, it's better to keep them too dry than wet in the winter. (Just don't let them shrivel.) Water once every 3 weeks to one month, and improve drainage by adding sand to the pot. Plus, don't let the plant itself hold any water, like in the rosette, for example. This leads to a mushy plant ... goner.
2. Give them a lot of light. Too little light will make for an ugly plant in the Springtime, because the plants stretch toward the sun in low-light conditions. A south-facing window is best, but east or west windows are supposed to be adequate too.
My house doesn't get much daylight, so I'm taking the second option: grow bulbs.
Using grow bulbs: Forty-watt, cool-white fluorescent bulbs are supposed to be the best alternative to natural light. Place the succulents on a reflective surface (mirror or tin foil). I've read you should position the light between 1 to 6 inches directly above the tallest plant. And, the light should stay on for 16 to 18 hours if they'll get little to no natural light, or 12 to 14 hours if they do get low or medium light during the day.
3. Watch for bugs. Look on top and under the leaves for aphids or mealy bugs. If you find them on a plant, move it away from the others for a few weeks and spray it with a mixture of 3 parts rubbing alcohol and one part water. Mist the plant, and repeat it for a few days until the bugs are gone.
So that's it, for the most part. The toughest thing, for me, is where to store my many potted plants and keeping the grow-bulb schedule. What are your tips and tricks for taking care of succulents in the winter?
