How to Care for Succulents Indoors: Complete Guide for Beginners
Succulents are some of the most popular indoor plants thanks to their unique shapes, low maintenance needs, and adaptability to small spaces. However, even though they are hardy, succulents still need the right care to stay healthy, vibrant, and avoid common problems like rot or stretching.
Discover the essential care tips to keep your indoor succulents thriving, from proper watering to the best light and soil.
Choose the Right Spot: Succulents Love Bright Light
Succulents evolved to thrive in sun-drenched deserts, meaning they need plenty of natural light indoors. The ideal location is a south-facing window where they get at least 6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight daily.
If your home doesn’t get enough natural light, use grow lights designed for succulents. Without proper light, succulents stretch (etiolate), becoming weak and losing their compact beauty.
Best Indoor Succulents for Low Light:
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Zebra Haworthia
Gasteria
Jade Plant (in medium light)
Watering: Less is More for Healthy Succulents
The fastest way to kill a succulent indoors is by overwatering. These plants store water in their leaves and stems, so they need much less water than tropical houseplants.
Golden Rule:
Always check the soil before watering. Completely dry soil means it’s time to water. If the soil is even slightly damp, wait.
How to Water Succulents Correctly:
Water deeply until excess water drains out the bottom of the pot.
Never let succulents sit in standing water.
Empty saucers under pots to prevent root rot.
In cooler months (fall and winter), succulents enter dormancy, meaning they need even less water. Reduce watering to once a month or less during this period.
Choose the Right Soil: Fast Drainage is Essential
Standard potting soil holds too much moisture, which can lead to root rot. Succulents need a well-draining mix to mimic their natural desert habitat.
Ideal Soil Mix for Succulents:
3 parts cactus soil or light potting mix
2 parts perlite or pumice for extra drainage
1 part coarse sand for aeration
If you’re buying pre-made succulent soil, look for gritty, loose texture, not dense or heavy mixes.
Best Pots for Succulents: Drainage is Key
Succulents must be planted in pots with drainage holes. Without proper drainage, excess water gets trapped, causing root rot.
Best Pot Materials for Succulents:
Terracotta – Breathable and helps prevent overwatering.
Ceramic – Attractive and functional, but ensure it has drainage holes.
Plastic – Lightweight, but can retain too much moisture if overwatered.
Fertilize Lightly for Healthy Growth
Succulents don’t need heavy feeding, but occasional nutrients help maintain their color and support growth. Use a balanced, diluted cactus fertilizer once every 6-8 weeks during spring and summer (the active growing season).
Avoid fertilizing in fall and winter, when succulents are dormant. Over-fertilizing leads to soft, leggy growth instead of the compact, sturdy form succulents are known for.
Prevent Common Succulent Problems
Overwatering
Symptoms: Mushy leaves, black or brown spots, moldy soil.
Solution: Let soil dry completely before watering. Improve drainage by repotting in gritty soil.
Stretching (Etiolation)
Symptoms: Long, pale, weak stems reaching toward light.
Solution: Move plant to brighter location or add grow lights.
Leaf Drop
Symptoms: Lower leaves shrivel and fall off.
Solution: This is normal for older leaves, but if upper leaves drop, check for overwatering or root rot.
Pests (Mealybugs, Spider Mites)
Symptoms: Sticky leaves, white cottony spots, or fine webs.
Solution: Wipe leaves with alcohol-soaked cotton swab and spray with neem oil.
Repotting Succulents: When and How to Do It
Most succulents only need repotting every 2-3 years unless they outgrow their pot sooner. Signs your succulent needs a new pot:
Roots growing out of drainage holes.
Soil dries out too quickly.
Plant has become top-heavy.
How to Repot Succulents Safely:
Gently remove the plant and shake off old soil.
Inspect roots for rot—trim any black, mushy roots.
Place succulent in new pot with fresh soil, leaving room at the top.
Wait a few days before watering, giving roots time to heal.
Create a Succulent Display in Small Spaces
Succulents are perfect for compact areas, and they can be creatively displayed in:
Windowsills – Small pots lined up for a bright window garden.
Wall planters – Vertical gardens using succulents for modern décor.
Terrariums – Glass containers for small succulents and air plants.
Tabletop gardens – Combine several succulents in one shallow dish garden for a mini desert landscape.
Best Indoor Succulents for Beginners
If you’re new to succulents, start with forgiving varieties that tolerate occasional mistakes.
Jade Plant – Tolerates neglect and occasional overwatering.
Aloe Vera – Hardy, useful, and thrives with little care.
Zebra Haworthia – Compact and perfect for small spaces.
Echeveria – Classic rosette form, great for sunny windows.
Burro’s Tail – Trailing succulent ideal for hanging pots.
Final Thoughts: Keep Succulents Healthy with the Right Care
Succulents may be low-maintenance, but they still need the right balance of light, water, and drainage to thrive indoors. By understanding their desert origins and mimicking that environment, you’ll enjoy healthy, vibrant succulents that enhance your space with minimal effort.
Quick Recap
✔ Place in bright, indirect light for 6+ hours daily.
✔ Water only when soil is completely dry.
✔ Use fast-draining cactus soil mix.
✔ Plant in pots with drainage holes.
✔ Fertilize sparingly during the growing season.
✔ Watch for signs of overwatering or stretching.
With these simple care tips, your indoor succulents will thrive, adding beauty and texture to your home for years to come.