The more succulents you begin to add to your collection, the more you may come across these common issues. Below are solutions to these issues.
LOSING LEAVES
Most commonly, leaves fall off succulents due to watering issues. Overwatering will cause leaves to become heavy, resulting in falling off. Underwatering will cause leaves to shrivel up, resulting in falling off as well.
Solution: Determine whether your plant is overwatered or underwatered by the look of the fallen leaves. If overwatered, cut your water routine down by a few days to a week. If overwatered, increase the amount of water or the frequency you are watering.
A lot of succulents lose leaves natural due to needing more room for new growth. As they grow taller, succulents shed their bottom leaves, creating a more sturdy base for the plant and making room for ariel roots. Doing some research on the plant you have will help determine if the plant is losing leaves from watering or general growth.
BROWN LEAVES AND DARK SPOTS
Sun damage or burn is the most common cause of this plant. This happens often when a succulent gets watered and is placed within direct sunlight. Succulents have a powder-like film around their leaves that protects them from UV light. Once water is added to the leaves, some of the film is removed and exposes the plant to damage from direct light.
Sun damage is more of an unsightly issue than actually hurting the plant. Any areas effected by sun damage will heal. Succulents typically grow out of this with new growth. Removing any leaves with sun damage will be beneficial.
Solution: Avoid placing succulents in direct sunlight. Another great option would be to take the succulent out of direct sunlight when watering and moving it back to it's location once the leaves are dry.
YELLOW LEAVES
Again, this issue is most commonly from overwatering. Once watered, succulents retain the water needed to survive and release all remaining water. Without well-draining soil or a drainage hole in the bottom of the pot, the plant will keep using the water because there is no where else for it to go. The leaves begin to over produce and reveal a yellow appearance.
Yellowing leaves does not always mean the plant is overwatered. Sometimes it's the plants way of communicating that is needs fertilizer. Succulents do not need fertilization often but will require it once-twice per year. Our succulents are fertilized with a slow release solution. Using a slow release fertilizer ensures the plant receives nutrients without over stimulation.
Solution: Let your plant dry out completely until all leaves lose the yellow color. Repotting your succulent into a well-draining soil or changing planter pots to one with a drainage hole can also help.
Summary
Succulents do their best in communicating what they need from their owner. Watching the signs of your plant and doing some research will help create a better understanding of what your plant needs!
Check out out Guide to Watering Succulents blog post here!
For any questions about this blog post or any plants, please leave us a comment below or send us a message!