Succulents - General Care Guide

🌵 Welcome to Your Succulent

Succulents are small but mighty. They store water in their leaves, grow slowly, and thrive when you leave them alone just enough. If you’ve ever loved something best by not smothering it—congrats, you’re already good at this.

☀️ Light: Sun-Loving, Not Sun-Burning

Succulents love bright light—more than most houseplants.

Best spots

• Bright windowsills (south or west facing is ideal)

• Very bright rooms with natural light

• A few hours of direct morning sun is okay

Watch for signs

• Stretching or leaning → needs more light

• Pale or faded color → not enough light

• Brown or scorched spots → too much harsh sun

If your succulent could wear sunglasses, it’s probably too bright 😌

💧 Water: Less Is Always More

This is the golden rule—memorize it, tattoo it emotionally:

Only water when the soil is completely dry.

• Check by sticking your finger all the way down

• Dry top to bottom? Water.

• Even a little damp? Walk away.

When you water:

• Soak thoroughly until water drains out the bottom

• Empty any excess water—never let roots sit in it

Most succulents are happiest being watered every 2–3 weeks, and even less in winter.

🌡️ Temperature: Keep It Comfortable

Succulents prefer 60–80°F.

Avoid:

• Cold drafts

• Freezing windows in winter

• Heat vents or radiators

If it feels extreme to you, it feels extreme to them too.

🌱 Growth: Slow and Steady Is the Goal

Succulents don’t rush—and that’s intentional.

Totally normal

• Very slow growth

• Leaves dropping from the bottom over time

• Color changes with light levels

Not normal

• Mushy or translucent leaves (overwatering)

• Leaves falling off easily

• Blackened stems or soil that smells sour

If something goes wrong, pause watering first. That fixes 80% of issues.

🍃 Leaf Care: Hands Off (Mostly)

Succulent leaves are delicate.

• Avoid touching or squeezing them

• If dusty, gently brush with a dry makeup brush

• Remove shriveled bottom leaves if they fall off naturally

Those bottom leaves drying up? That’s just your plant recycling energy. Respect.

Final Reminder

Succulents thrive on light, patience, and restraint.

You don’t need to overthink this.

You don’t need to check on it every day.

You just need to trust that it knows how to survive.

Let it sit with you while you sip your coffee.

Let it grow quietly.

Let it remind you that not everything needs constant attention to thrive.