Will my succulents survive winter?

It’s that time of year when autumn slowly fades into winter. Oh too soon the daylight hours shorten, temperatures drop, and hard frosts threaten many parts of the country. Before that happens is when you should ask, “Will my succulents survive winter?” Experts share these tips about how to care for succulents in your garden, so they survive winter weather and beyond.

Will my succulents survive winter if I live in a warm region with no frosts?

In this climate your focus should be maintaining plant health through the season. Monitor your succulent plants regularly, watching for clues of wildlife nibbles (red pepper sprinkles deter!) and pest infestation (Neem oil helps!). Since succulent planters placed along patios and walkways lack insulation, it’s smart to raise them off the ground before cooler temperatures arrive. Or, if your climate tends to be overly rainy, you might want to shelter your succulents from time to time so they don’t succumb to wet ‘feet’ and root rot. Otherwise, water only when totally dry, and keep enjoying your garden’s winter beauty!

Will my succulents survive winter If I live in moderate region with occasional frosts?

You may need to take precautions when a cold nip is forecasted. The reason is that many succulents are natives of desert regions, so they’re accustomed to higher temperatures. Seldom can a desert-native succulent survive a hard frost because the water retained in its leaves, stems, and trunks tends to freeze and expand, which bursts the plant’s cell membranes and often causes the plant to die.  However, your succulent might survive outdoors IF planted in a protected area that creates a microclimate. For example, within a walled garden where the brick walls radiate heat, a sun-spoiled covered porch, or along a garage wall that provides shelter from cold winds. Another option is to lightly cover succulents with a frost blanket whenever freezing temperatures are predicted. The extra protection helps mimic the plant’s native conditions.

Tip: Some succulents are designated as hardy succulents. These can tolerate and even thrive during freezing temperatures. Examples are Sedum, Sempervivum, and Euphorbia. Google your plant species/genus to verify its hardiness, since better safe than sorry. If concerned about cold bursts damaging your succulents, consider planting hardy succulents (versus soft succulents) when expanding your garden beds, adding borders, and planting outdoor containers.

Will my succulents survive winter if I live in cold region with regular freezing frosts?

You will need to bring indoors any soft succulents, such as Echeveria, Aeonium, Haworthia, Senecio, and Crassula, to name a few. These soft succulents are more tender and more susceptible to cold temperatures, such as 50 degrees F and lower. The transition to an indoor setting should be gradual with advance preparation. First, clean around the base of the plant, removing debris and leaves that hold water and potentially harbor pests and fungi. Next, about 3 to 4 weeks before the relocation, apply a pesticide on the surfaces of leaves and stems. Pay special attention beneath the leaves and between trunk and stem where pests like to hide. This step helps ensure that unwanted pests aren’t brought indoors to harm your existing houseplants. If the succulent is planted in the ground, repot it in a container with a drainage hole and fresh succulent soil (available at www.succulentmarket.com). This special soil encourages water drainage that supports root and plant health. When selecting the plant’s winter home till spring, be sure to avoid places where they can still freeze, such as window sills, unheated garages, and open carports. While overwintering, you might want to reduce the amount of water applied to each succulent as it goes dormant.* Make sure that each plant still receives about 6 hours of indirect sunlight a day. Otherwise, set up a grow light that can be regulated as needed.

*Exception: Succulents categorized as summer-dormant tend to ‘wake up’ during winter, as it’s the time they bloom and grow. They’ll require regular watering when soil gets completely dry, unlike winter-dormant succulents.

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Hopefully now you feel more educated and empowered to help your succulents survive winter and welcome spring! But the most important point has not yet been mentioned. A succulent’s long-term survival begins with a healthy plant. Forget those crispy succulents sold at the grocery store. And don’t get snookered by growers who import their succulent plants over long distances. Instead, you can start off with healthy plants when you start off with Succulent Market: a domestic grower with three generations of expertise and experience, plus high ratings that prove it. Now on to winter gardening!