Where's the Best Area to Place Your Succulents

 

Succulents are amazing. They’re exotic, easy to look after and are a great way to brighten up your desk at work or at home.

But no matter where you want them, where’s the best place to plant your succulent? How do you ensure they grow at their best all year long?

This guide will discuss the three main factors: sunlight, heat and humidity.

Read on to learn the best place to plant your succulent at home.

Best Place To Plant A Succulent 

In general, south-facing windows are the best place to plant a succulent. This is because they get plenty of light throughout the day. But while this is the case, different succulents have different light requirements so getting their location right is key.

Note that while some succulents may be advertised as plants that don’t need that much light, too little will prevent them from growing, fade their colors and cause their stems and leaves to weaken, meaning they won’t last as long as they should.

On the other hand, when some succulents are exposed to too much sunlight, they can burn up which can harm their health. If they do start to burn, prune the damaged areas and move the plant to a different location.

So, to ensure they get the optimal amount of light, keep them near a window that is either protected by a sheet or curtains, or one that doesn’t receive direct sunlight. Failing that, place them further away from the window so the sunlight isn’t magnified as intensely through the glass.

For succulents that need more light, place them at a window that receives a lot of sunlight for much of the day. The only exception is during the summer when too much exposure can get very intense; in this case, move the succulent to a window to a window that gets more morning sun to avoid the harsh afternoon sunlight.

Best Temperature For A Succulent

Most succulents grow best at moderate temperatures. However, not all of them can tolerate frost so they should never be exposed to temperatures that drop below 10C (50F). Succulents that grow in homes usually grow best between temperatures of 10-27C (50-80F).

When succulents are subjected to temperatures that exceed or drop below these levels, they tend to enter dormancy or their survival mode. This is due to the water within their cell walls being susceptible to damage when they face extreme temperatures. 

In freezing or subfreezing environments, the water within the succulent will freeze up. This causes the cell walls to rupture, leading to the death of those cells. So, when the succulent eventually thaws out, either the affected areas will begin to rot or they will permanently scar - it may take a few days before you even notice the damage.
In this situation, it’s best to cut off the dead areas to prevent the rot from spreading to the rest of the plant.

Humidity is also important to consider...

Best Humidity For A Succulent

Succulents have a high water content, meaning that being exposed to high humidity is no good for their health. When they grow in the wild, their environments are usually quite dry, so the humidity tends to be on the lower end, typically between 10-30%.

This is the ideal range for growing succulents. Not only will it encourage them to dry quickly after being fed and watered, but it also helps the cells to maintain a healthy water storage.

As such, you must ensure that your success has access to good air circulation within your home. If not and the potting soil contains too much moisture, the humidity around the plant will increase, leading to diseases and pests.

These issues can easily be prevented with proper care. In the event that your succulent does begin to rot, remove all the affected sections of the plant and cut back to the healthy tissue. You may need to consider repotting your plant if its existing home has become ridden with pests.

There is an exception to the humidity rule: the Christmas Cactus actually enjoys high humidity and moist soil. All other succulents, though, should be grown in low to moderate humidity.