Succulents are a type of plant that we know is popular not only because they are beautiful but also because they require little care. Succulents are inherently drought-tolerant and tough plants. As a result, they will probably survive even if you forget to water them every now and then.
However, this does not mean they are entirely unbeatable. Succulents, like many other plants, require certain things to survive, including water. What if your succulents have died? Is it possible to resurrect succulents? That’s what we’ll be discussing today.
Is it Possible to Resurrect a Dead Succulent?
No, in all honesty. There is no way to bring your succulent back to life if it is already dead. There are, however, methods for reviving a dying plant. There is still hope for your plant as long as there are signs of vitality. However, you should expect the procedure to be difficult. Plants, like humans, will be more difficult to resurrect the closer they are to death.
Have you ever wondered if you’d be able to save a dying succulent? Before we get started, there are two things you need to figure out.
What Kind of Succulents Do You Have?
Is it a succulent from the tropics or the desert? Knowing your succulent and its individual requirements will assist you in determining the core cause of the problem. At the same time, it can assist you in deciding on the ideal revival steps later on.
What Is the Root Cause of the Problem?
The next thing you should do is figure out what the root cause is. Knowing the problem is essential if you want to stop what’s happening to your plant, resolve it, and, most importantly, prevent it from happening again in the future.
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Succulent Death’s Most Common Causes
Overwatering, too much sunlight, neglect, abrupt temperature and weather changes, and pests and illnesses are the most typical causes of succulent mortality. Let’s go over each one to figure out why your succulents are dying.
Overwatering.
Overwatering is the most common cause of succulent death. Succulents, as previously said, are drought-tolerant and do not require as much water as other plants. Overwatering can cause root rot and disease in your succulents.
Too much sunlight.
The fact that they are drought-tolerant does not imply that they enjoy getting sunburned. Excessive sunshine can blister the leaves of your succulents and possibly cause them to die.
Neglect.
Your succulent plant will require attention even if it is hardy and low-maintenance. Failure to provide them with what they require is a guaranteed way to kill even the hardiest plants.
Changes in the weather and temperature.
Aside from the potential damage caused by the summer sun’s heat, succulents dislike being left outside in the winter to freeze.
Pests and disease
Finally, your succulents may become infected with diseases from other plants, or they may be attacked by pests.
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How To Save Your Succulents
After determining the problem, you can proceed to the following step: resolution. What you can do to save your dying succulents is as follows:
- If your succulent is dying as a result of overwatering, repot it in a more well-draining medium and container.
- If the problem is sunburn, move your plant to a location where it will receive bright but indirect light. Relocating a succulent that is dying from the winter chill is also a viable option.
- There is no cure for neglect other than proper care for your succulents. For example, if your plants appear to be overly dry and thirsty, the easiest method to revitalize them is to give them a nice soak.
You can achieve this by placing its pot in a larger container with a few inches of water in it. Allow your succulents to sit for a time until you notice the topsoil moistening. To avoid drowning your plant, don’t immerse it for too long.
Finally, there are a variety of treatments and organic formulas (some of which you can even make yourself) that you may use to protect your succulents against illnesses and insects.
Succulent Care and Feeding
Succulents are low-care plants, although they should not be confused with no-care plants. Succulents, like all other plants, have special requirements. Taking care of those requirements keeps the succulent looking healthy and lively. When a plant droops, look at the different demands to ensure you’re providing it with the correct care.
Take Care of Your Watering.
If your succulent droops, puckers, shrivels or changes color, it could be due to a lack of water. Excessive watering promotes rot illnesses. Too little water might cause the plant to go into survival mode, preventing it from blossoming. Whether you give the plant too much or too little water, the symptoms are generally similar. Overwatered succulents often feel mushy and may come apart as they rot and decompose. Succulents that are overwatered tend to dry out and turn brown.
Succulents are known for their drought endurance because they store water, but that doesn’t imply they can broil all summer without drinking a drop. Succulents require plenty of water as they grow from late spring through late fall. The precise amount is determined by the amount of sunlight and the location of the planting. A potted succulent in full sun needs a deep daily drink, whereas a plant with roots in the ground in partial shade only requires irrigation once or twice a week. In the winter, reduce irrigation by watering thoroughly but seldom, just enough to keep the plants from shriveling up.
Lots of Light with Limitations
If your succulent appears thin and spread out, it may be receiving insufficient light. The color may also fade with time. Succulents require light to grow. Many succulents may survive in continual shade, but the plant frequently begins to stretch toward a light source, making it appear pulled. If the plant is in a pot, relocate it to a brighter spot. Trim overhanging tree branches if it’s in the ground to allow light in.
The majority of species can tolerate direct sunshine, but others cannot. Donkey’s tail, for example, grows in USDA plant hardiness zone 11 but requires a shady, wind-protected site. It’s possible that your succulent is getting too much light if it looks washed out or pale. When a succulent is abruptly exposed to a lot of direct sunshine after being in partial shade, it can scorch. Plant succulents in sunny garden spots that get shade during the hottest part of the day if you live in a hot environment.
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Soil Drainage is Critical.
Succulents require well-draining soil. To keep potted succulents from rotting, use a container with built-in drainage. Fill the top of the pot with water and notice how quickly it drains if a potted plant begins to wilt or suffer. It may be necessary to transplant it into a larger container with improved drainage.
Succulents are grown in water-retaining soil wither quickly. Some species, such as the cobweb houseleek, which grows in USDA zones 5 through 8, are especially vulnerable to poorly draining soil. To improve drainage, add coarse matter to the soil, such as lava rock, sand, or perlite, so that excess water drains quickly.
It’s Better to Use Less Fertilizer.
Succulents thrive better in poorer, less fertile soil since they don’t require a lot of nutrients. However, this is not universally true. Firesticks, the red form of the pencil tree, tolerates common soil better than other succulents. It is hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11.
Because succulents enjoy poor soil, you shouldn’t fertilize them too often. Cactus only require a light fertilizer application in late spring or summer. Choose a water-soluble fertilizer with a greater phosphorus-to-nitrogen ratio, and dilute it with two or three times the recommended amount of water. Watered-down fertilizer is beneficial to other succulents as well, but you can fertilize them three or four times during the growing season.
Pest Control.
Succulents rarely suffer from significant pest infections. If you see mealybugs with cottony coatings or tiny, raised areas that suggest scale, wipe the bugs off the plant with cotton dipped in alcohol. Succulents may be kept free of rot, both fungal and bacterial, if you take proper care of them. Improper irrigation and insufficient light are key causes of rot.
Conclusion
One of the reasons why so many people enjoy planting succulents is their hardiness. Unfortunately, some individuals see this as permission to ignore their plants.
There will be no way to resurrect your succulent after it has perished totally. There are, however, some steps you may take to salvage a dying plant, as long as it is still exhibiting signs of life.
Before you can resuscitate it, you’ll need to figure out what kind of succulent you have and what’s causing the problem. Once you’ve accounted for them, you can attempt the numerous tips we’ve provided. Best wishes and happy planting!
