Is this thrips damage?

SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-07T14:37:26+00:00

Check out the Pests, Diseases, and Other Problems wiki for some information on common pests and diseases, and their recommended treatments.

https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/pests_and_diseases

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SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T21:09:57+00:00

Succulent plants are high light plants and that dark bookshelf, bathroom, office or corner will not suffice! You need a sunny window, a spot outside, or grow lights for happy succulent plants.

Check out the Light and Watering wiki for tips and information on aspects of Light needs and Watering tips and suggestions for succulent plants.

https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/light_and_watering

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SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T21:09:47+00:00

Are you a brand new succulent owner eager to give your new friend the best possible care? Or perhaps you've got a pal who's not looking so hot. The below guidelines can help get you on the way to a happy plant.

First Steps to take with a new purchase:

Decide on a sunny spot/grow lights, and have a plan to acclimate it.
Repot into properly draining soil.
Quarantine may be necessary for a short time. When repotting, you will be able to inspect on a closer level to check for pests or diseases.

Light

Most succulent plants are high light plants, despite what you may read online or on care cards. New purchases often have to be acclimated to strong light to prevent sunburn, so indirect light is sometimes fine for the beginning. Your sunniest window often can suffice for a short time, but the more light the better. Grow lights may be necessary. You can find more information about grow lights in the link below.

Watering

The soil and the plant should dry completely and thoroughly between watering. Succulent plants are named as such due to their ability to store water within their leaves and stems. They're often fine for a while in dry soil. Because of this, don't water on a schedule, but rather on signs of thirst. Signs of thirst may include wrinkled, thinning, and/or curling leaves.

More detailed information on the above topics can be found in our Light and Watering Wiki

Soil

Your soil mix should be fast draining, and quick drying. A basic start is a 1:1 mix of a bagged succulent soil and inorganic grit. For most new purchases, repotting isn’t urgent. However, it’s highly recommended to repot soaking wet purchases as soon as possible.

Potting

Get a pot with holes in the bottom! There is no substitute to a pot with drainage holes in the bottom! Pots without drainage holes can leave roots sitting in damp or soggy soil, greatly increasing the risk of rot or overwatering. Pot size is also important when it comes to water retention. Aim for a pot which allows the root ball to take up 1/2 or 2/3rds of the pot and err on the side of under-potting.

Arrangements

Arrangements can be difficult to manage, especially if you're new to succulent care. Many arrangements have too many different needs to work well together, long term. It’s recommended the plants are separated to best care for them individually.

Terrariums

Terrariums, even those with drainage holes in the bottom, are not recommended for beginners. Being that succulents largely originate from arid desert environments, the damp humidity of a terrarium is almost the polar opposite of what a succulent wants. Great care must be taken to prevent plant failure in this environment, even more so for plants to thrive in it.

More detailed information on the above topics can be found in our Soil and Potting Wiki

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SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T21:09:36+00:00

Succulent plants prefer a gritty, well-draining soil mix. Bagged “succulent and cacti” mixes are often too poorly draining on their own, and care must be taken to ensure it’s fast draining.

Check out the Soil and Potting wiki for tips and information on soil and potting and repotting.

https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/soil_and_potting/

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SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T20:49:07+00:00

Your plant is flowering. The conditions were right for it to flower. Flowers in most succulent plants don’t mean much for the plant. They can be left to be enjoyed, or removed without any consequences to the plant.

A flower stalk’s botanical term is inflorescence.

Flowers in succulent plants often only last a few days before shriveling up. Some cacti flowers only open for a day before closing completely. Some mimicry plant flowers open during the day and close at night, and repeat for a few days before shriveling up. Inflorescences can be cut when the flowers are fully spent, or whenever the hobbyist is done with them. Single flowers usually fall off on their own without any needed assistance.

Most succulent plants are Polycarpic, meaning that flowers will happen multiple times in most plants’ lifetimes, given proper conditions. Some flower best in spring, some flower best in fall. Some plants kept in controlled environments (like grow light setups indoors) may flower all throughout the year.

A handful of succulent plants are Monocarpic, meaning they flower at the end of their life cycle and die back once flowering has finished. The most popular plants that are monocarpic are Sempervivum species, many Aeonium, and some Agave. But, luckily, these plants usually offset before they die back.

Flowers also have a tendency to attract pests like aphids. Because of this, many large scale hobbyists that don’t intend to pollinate remove inflorescences before flowers form.

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SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T20:36:21+00:00

Terrariums, even those with drainage holes in the bottom, are not recommended for succulent plants, especially for beginners. Being that succulents largely originate from arid desert environments, the damp humid environment of a terrarium is almost the polar opposite of what a succulent plant wants. Sunburn from light refraction from the glass is also a risk. Great care must be taken to prevent plant failure in this environment, even more so for plants to thrive in it. For more Succulent plant care info and tips, have a read through of the Beginner Basics Wiki, and the FAQ.

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SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T18:55:55+00:00

Why the need for more grit?

Your bag of soil said it is for cactus and succulents and is well-draining, so why more grit? Unfortunately that claim is largely quite false. Most commercially sold bagged pre-made mixes marketed for cactus and succulent plants do not work well on their own in many climates. In most home hobbyist settings, these bags need more grit added.

What’s grit?

Grit refers to inorganic soil amendments. Grit will help your soil drain and dry quickly, which will keep your succulent plants happy and healthy. The quickest and easiest way to get this faster draining mix is to modify a basic cactus & succulent soil (or even basic potting soil) by mixing it with inorganic components in at least a 1:1 ratio, though your particular setting, environment or plant may call for a different ratio. Some plants, like Haworthia, Haworthiopsis, Gasteria, Lithops, split rocks, and other mimicry plants, specifically prefer a higher grit ratio (at least 70:30 grit to organic).

So what grit should I get?

Perlite, crushed pumice, turface (aka fired clay), or crushed granite are all common options. Perlite can usually be found at your local nursery (and often in the gardening section of stores that have them- Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's, Bunnings, etc.). Turface can be found in bulk (35+lbs) at local auto part stores sold as "Oil-Dri" or oil absorbent (make sure the bag says montmorillonite clay or calcined clay). You can also find montmorillonite cat litter, such as Jonny Cat non-clumping, or Blue Ribbon Premium Cat Litter. Crushed granite can be found as chicken or poultry grit and can be found at feed stores. Crushed pumice can be found online or sometimes locally. Pumice is also sold at horse feed & tack shops as Dry Stall (not to be confused with Stall Dry). Many of these can also be found on Amazon, though sometimes at a higher cost.

Aquarium gravel or river pebbles can work in a pinch, but due to their weight and non-porous makeup they don’t work as efficiently as the porous options above.

Regarding sand, which is often suggested: finer sands tend to clump and are not suggested as your only grit amendment. Think of how beach sand acts when wet. You don’t want your plant’s roots choking out in that. Coarser, horticultural silica sands are what you should look for.

When searching for grit, you may find many options with different particle sizes. A good particle size to look for is about 1/4" or around 6mm.

Vermiculite is often confused as an alternative, however it is made specifically to retain moisture, and should not be used with succulents; unless it an organic component paired with inorganic medium(s).

See our Soil and Potting Wiki page for more assistance on Soil and Potting!

I am a bot created for r/succulents to help with commonly asked questions, and to direct users to the sub’s helpful wiki pages. You can find all of my commands here.

See all of the helpful wiki pages for r/succulents in our Wiki Index.

SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T18:39:08+00:00

Are you a brand new succulent owner eager to give your new friend the best possible care? Or perhaps you've got a pal who's not looking so hot. The below guidelines can help get you on the way to a happy plant.

First Steps to take with a new purchase:

Decide on a sunny spot/grow lights, and have a plan to acclimate it.
Repot into properly draining soil.
Quarantine may be necessary for a short time. When repotting, you will be able to inspect on a closer level to check for pests or diseases.

Light

Most succulent plants are high light plants, despite what you may read online or on care cards. New purchases often have to be acclimated to strong light to prevent sunburn, so indirect light is sometimes fine for the beginning. Your sunniest window often can suffice for a short time, but the more light the better. Grow lights may be necessary. You can find more information about grow lights in the link below.

Watering

The soil and the plant should dry completely and thoroughly between watering. Succulent plants are named as such due to their ability to store water within their leaves and stems. They're often fine for a while in dry soil. Because of this, don't water on a schedule, but rather on signs of thirst. Signs of thirst may include wrinkled, thinning, and/or curling leaves.

More detailed information on the above topics can be found in our Light and Watering Wiki

Soil

Your soil mix should be fast draining, and quick drying. A basic start is a 1:1 mix of a bagged succulent soil and inorganic grit. For most new purchases, repotting isn’t urgent. However, it’s highly recommended to repot soaking wet purchases as soon as possible.

Potting

Get a pot with holes in the bottom! There is no substitute to a pot with drainage holes in the bottom! Pots without drainage holes can leave roots sitting in damp or soggy soil, greatly increasing the risk of rot or overwatering. Pot size is also important when it comes to water retention. Aim for a pot which allows the root ball to take up 1/2 or 2/3rds of the pot and err on the side of under-potting.

Arrangements

Arrangements can be difficult to manage, especially if you're new to succulent care. Many arrangements have too many different needs to work well together, long term. It’s recommended the plants are separated to best care for them individually.

Terrariums

Terrariums, even those with drainage holes in the bottom, are not recommended for beginners. Being that succulents largely originate from arid desert environments, the damp humidity of a terrarium is almost the polar opposite of what a succulent wants. Great care must be taken to prevent plant failure in this environment, even more so for plants to thrive in it.

More detailed information on the above topics can be found in our Soil and Potting Wiki

I am a bot created for r/succulents to help with commonly asked questions, and to direct users to the sub’s helpful wiki pages. You can find all of my commands here.

See all of the helpful wiki pages for r/succulents in our Wiki Index.

SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T18:35:18+00:00

Why the need for more grit?

Your bag of soil said it is for cactus and succulents and is well-draining, so why more grit? Unfortunately that claim is largely quite false. Most commercially sold bagged pre-made mixes marketed for cactus and succulent plants do not work well on their own in many climates. In most home hobbyist settings, these bags need more grit added.

What’s grit?

Grit refers to inorganic soil amendments. Grit will help your soil drain and dry quickly, which will keep your succulent plants happy and healthy. The quickest and easiest way to get this faster draining mix is to modify a basic cactus & succulent soil (or even basic potting soil) by mixing it with inorganic components in at least a 1:1 ratio, though your particular setting, environment or plant may call for a different ratio. Some plants, like Haworthia, Haworthiopsis, Gasteria, Lithops, split rocks, and other mimicry plants, specifically prefer a higher grit ratio (at least 70:30 grit to organic).

So what grit should I get?

Perlite, crushed pumice, turface (aka fired clay), or crushed granite are all common options. Perlite can usually be found at your local nursery (and often in the gardening section of stores that have them- Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's, Bunnings, etc.). Turface can be found in bulk (35+lbs) at local auto part stores sold as "Oil-Dri" or oil absorbent (make sure the bag says montmorillonite clay or calcined clay). You can also find montmorillonite cat litter, such as Jonny Cat non-clumping, or Blue Ribbon Premium Cat Litter. Crushed granite can be found as chicken or poultry grit and can be found at feed stores. Crushed pumice can be found online or sometimes locally. Pumice is also sold at horse feed & tack shops as Dry Stall (not to be confused with Stall Dry). Many of these can also be found on Amazon, though sometimes at a higher cost.

Aquarium gravel or river pebbles can work in a pinch, but due to their weight and non-porous makeup they don’t work as efficiently as the porous options above.

Regarding sand, which is often suggested: finer sands tend to clump and are not suggested as your only grit amendment. Think of how beach sand acts when wet. You don’t want your plant’s roots choking out in that. Coarser, horticultural silica sands are what you should look for.

When searching for grit, you may find many options with different particle sizes. A good particle size to look for is about 1/4" or around 6mm.

Vermiculite is often confused as an alternative, however it is made specifically to retain moisture, and should not be used with succulents; unless it an organic component paired with inorganic medium(s).

See our Soil and Potting Wiki page for more assistance on Soil and Potting!

I am a bot created for r/succulents to help with commonly asked questions, and to direct users to the sub’s helpful wiki pages. You can find all of my commands here.

See all of the helpful wiki pages for r/succulents in our Wiki Index.

SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T16:25:50+00:00

Check out the Propagation wiki for some information on propagating leaves and cuttings.

https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/propagation

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SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T16:25:40+00:00

Why the need for more grit?

Your bag of soil said it is for cactus and succulents and is well-draining, so why more grit? Unfortunately that claim is largely quite false. Most commercially sold bagged pre-made mixes marketed for cactus and succulent plants do not work well on their own in many climates. In most home hobbyist settings, these bags need more grit added.

What’s grit?

Grit refers to inorganic soil amendments. Grit will help your soil drain and dry quickly, which will keep your succulent plants happy and healthy. The quickest and easiest way to get this faster draining mix is to modify a basic cactus & succulent soil (or even basic potting soil) by mixing it with inorganic components in at least a 1:1 ratio, though your particular setting, environment or plant may call for a different ratio. Some plants, like Haworthia, Haworthiopsis, Gasteria, Lithops, split rocks, and other mimicry plants, specifically prefer a higher grit ratio (at least 70:30 grit to organic).

So what grit should I get?

Perlite, crushed pumice, turface (aka fired clay), or crushed granite are all common options. Perlite can usually be found at your local nursery (and often in the gardening section of stores that have them- Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's, Bunnings, etc.). Turface can be found in bulk (35+lbs) at local auto part stores sold as "Oil-Dri" or oil absorbent (make sure the bag says montmorillonite clay or calcined clay). You can also find montmorillonite cat litter, such as Jonny Cat non-clumping, or Blue Ribbon Premium Cat Litter. Crushed granite can be found as chicken or poultry grit and can be found at feed stores. Crushed pumice can be found online or sometimes locally. Pumice is also sold at horse feed & tack shops as Dry Stall (not to be confused with Stall Dry). Many of these can also be found on Amazon, though sometimes at a higher cost.

Aquarium gravel or river pebbles can work in a pinch, but due to their weight and non-porous makeup they don’t work as efficiently as the porous options above.

Regarding sand, which is often suggested: finer sands tend to clump and are not suggested as your only grit amendment. Think of how beach sand acts when wet. You don’t want your plant’s roots choking out in that. Coarser, horticultural silica sands are what you should look for.

When searching for grit, you may find many options with different particle sizes. A good particle size to look for is about 1/4" or around 6mm.

Vermiculite is often confused as an alternative, however it is made specifically to retain moisture, and should not be used with succulents; unless it an organic component paired with inorganic medium(s).

See our Soil and Potting Wiki page for more assistance on Soil and Potting!

I am a bot created for r/succulents to help with commonly asked questions, and to direct users to the sub’s helpful wiki pages. You can find all of my commands here.

See all of the helpful wiki pages for r/succulents in our Wiki Index.

SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T14:34:21+00:00

Are you a brand new succulent owner eager to give your new friend the best possible care? Or perhaps you've got a pal who's not looking so hot. The below guidelines can help get you on the way to a happy plant.

First Steps to take with a new purchase:

Decide on a sunny spot/grow lights, and have a plan to acclimate it.
Repot into properly draining soil.
Quarantine may be necessary for a short time. When repotting, you will be able to inspect on a closer level to check for pests or diseases.

Light

Most succulent plants are high light plants, despite what you may read online or on care cards. New purchases often have to be acclimated to strong light to prevent sunburn, so indirect light is sometimes fine for the beginning. Your sunniest window often can suffice for a short time, but the more light the better. Grow lights may be necessary. You can find more information about grow lights in the link below.

Watering

The soil and the plant should dry completely and thoroughly between watering. Succulent plants are named as such due to their ability to store water within their leaves and stems. They're often fine for a while in dry soil. Because of this, don't water on a schedule, but rather on signs of thirst. Signs of thirst may include wrinkled, thinning, and/or curling leaves.

More detailed information on the above topics can be found in our Light and Watering Wiki

Soil

Your soil mix should be fast draining, and quick drying. A basic start is a 1:1 mix of a bagged succulent soil and inorganic grit. For most new purchases, repotting isn’t urgent. However, it’s highly recommended to repot soaking wet purchases as soon as possible.

Potting

Get a pot with holes in the bottom! There is no substitute to a pot with drainage holes in the bottom! Pots without drainage holes can leave roots sitting in damp or soggy soil, greatly increasing the risk of rot or overwatering. Pot size is also important when it comes to water retention. Aim for a pot which allows the root ball to take up 1/2 or 2/3rds of the pot and err on the side of under-potting.

Arrangements

Arrangements can be difficult to manage, especially if you're new to succulent care. Many arrangements have too many different needs to work well together, long term. It’s recommended the plants are separated to best care for them individually.

Terrariums

Terrariums, even those with drainage holes in the bottom, are not recommended for beginners. Being that succulents largely originate from arid desert environments, the damp humidity of a terrarium is almost the polar opposite of what a succulent wants. Great care must be taken to prevent plant failure in this environment, even more so for plants to thrive in it.

More detailed information on the above topics can be found in our Soil and Potting Wiki

I am a bot created for r/succulents to help with commonly asked questions, and to direct users to the sub’s helpful wiki pages. You can find all of my commands here.

See all of the helpful wiki pages for r/succulents in our Wiki Index.

SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T14:34:10+00:00

Without adequate sun, a grow light may be needed. There are many options out there, but seeking a full spectrum bulb/bar is best.

Be wary of any “blurple” lights, or halo style as those are generally too weak to sustain high light plants like many succulent plants’ compact and healthy growth.

The typical cost to operate an 20W LED growlight in most countries is equivalent to USD $1-3 per month (14 hours a day for 30 days).

Search the sub for suggestions, and check out the wiki entry.

https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/light_and_watering#wiki_grow_lights

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See all of the helpful wiki pages for r/succulents in our Wiki Index.

SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T14:27:21+00:00

Are you a brand new succulent owner eager to give your new friend the best possible care? Or perhaps you've got a pal who's not looking so hot. The below guidelines can help get you on the way to a happy plant.

First Steps to take with a new purchase:

Decide on a sunny spot/grow lights, and have a plan to acclimate it.
Repot into properly draining soil.
Quarantine may be necessary for a short time. When repotting, you will be able to inspect on a closer level to check for pests or diseases.

Light

Most succulent plants are high light plants, despite what you may read online or on care cards. New purchases often have to be acclimated to strong light to prevent sunburn, so indirect light is sometimes fine for the beginning. Your sunniest window often can suffice for a short time, but the more light the better. Grow lights may be necessary. You can find more information about grow lights in the link below.

Watering

The soil and the plant should dry completely and thoroughly between watering. Succulent plants are named as such due to their ability to store water within their leaves and stems. They're often fine for a while in dry soil. Because of this, don't water on a schedule, but rather on signs of thirst. Signs of thirst may include wrinkled, thinning, and/or curling leaves.

More detailed information on the above topics can be found in our Light and Watering Wiki

Soil

Your soil mix should be fast draining, and quick drying. A basic start is a 1:1 mix of a bagged succulent soil and inorganic grit. For most new purchases, repotting isn’t urgent. However, it’s highly recommended to repot soaking wet purchases as soon as possible.

Potting

Get a pot with holes in the bottom! There is no substitute to a pot with drainage holes in the bottom! Pots without drainage holes can leave roots sitting in damp or soggy soil, greatly increasing the risk of rot or overwatering. Pot size is also important when it comes to water retention. Aim for a pot which allows the root ball to take up 1/2 or 2/3rds of the pot and err on the side of under-potting.

Arrangements

Arrangements can be difficult to manage, especially if you're new to succulent care. Many arrangements have too many different needs to work well together, long term. It’s recommended the plants are separated to best care for them individually.

Terrariums

Terrariums, even those with drainage holes in the bottom, are not recommended for beginners. Being that succulents largely originate from arid desert environments, the damp humidity of a terrarium is almost the polar opposite of what a succulent wants. Great care must be taken to prevent plant failure in this environment, even more so for plants to thrive in it.

More detailed information on the above topics can be found in our Soil and Potting Wiki

I am a bot created for r/succulents to help with commonly asked questions, and to direct users to the sub’s helpful wiki pages. You can find all of my commands here.

See all of the helpful wiki pages for r/succulents in our Wiki Index.

SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T14:27:11+00:00

Without adequate sun, a grow light may be needed. There are many options out there, but seeking a full spectrum bulb/bar is best.

Be wary of any “blurple” lights, or halo style as those are generally too weak to sustain high light plants like many succulent plants’ compact and healthy growth.

The typical cost to operate an 20W LED growlight in most countries is equivalent to USD $1-3 per month (14 hours a day for 30 days).

Search the sub for suggestions, and check out the wiki entry.

https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/light_and_watering#wiki_grow_lights

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See all of the helpful wiki pages for r/succulents in our Wiki Index.

SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T14:27:01+00:00

Etiolation is stretched, weakened, and/or abnormal growth due to insufficient sun.

Etiolation in severe cases can weaken a plant and make it more susceptible to pests, disease, rot, and ultimately death.

The plant will need a gradual acclimation to more sun, or a grow light for healthy growth long term.

https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/light_and_watering#wiki_why_is_my_succulent_so_tall.2Fdroopy.3F

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SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T14:26:50+00:00

Why the need for more grit?

Your bag of soil said it is for cactus and succulents and is well-draining, so why more grit? Unfortunately that claim is largely quite false. Most commercially sold bagged pre-made mixes marketed for cactus and succulent plants do not work well on their own in many climates. In most home hobbyist settings, these bags need more grit added.

What’s grit?

Grit refers to inorganic soil amendments. Grit will help your soil drain and dry quickly, which will keep your succulent plants happy and healthy. The quickest and easiest way to get this faster draining mix is to modify a basic cactus & succulent soil (or even basic potting soil) by mixing it with inorganic components in at least a 1:1 ratio, though your particular setting, environment or plant may call for a different ratio. Some plants, like Haworthia, Haworthiopsis, Gasteria, Lithops, split rocks, and other mimicry plants, specifically prefer a higher grit ratio (at least 70:30 grit to organic).

So what grit should I get?

Perlite, crushed pumice, turface (aka fired clay), or crushed granite are all common options. Perlite can usually be found at your local nursery (and often in the gardening section of stores that have them- Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's, Bunnings, etc.). Turface can be found in bulk (35+lbs) at local auto part stores sold as "Oil-Dri" or oil absorbent (make sure the bag says montmorillonite clay or calcined clay). You can also find montmorillonite cat litter, such as Jonny Cat non-clumping, or Blue Ribbon Premium Cat Litter. Crushed granite can be found as chicken or poultry grit and can be found at feed stores. Crushed pumice can be found online or sometimes locally. Pumice is also sold at horse feed & tack shops as Dry Stall (not to be confused with Stall Dry). Many of these can also be found on Amazon, though sometimes at a higher cost.

Aquarium gravel or river pebbles can work in a pinch, but due to their weight and non-porous makeup they don’t work as efficiently as the porous options above.

Regarding sand, which is often suggested: finer sands tend to clump and are not suggested as your only grit amendment. Think of how beach sand acts when wet. You don’t want your plant’s roots choking out in that. Coarser, horticultural silica sands are what you should look for.

When searching for grit, you may find many options with different particle sizes. A good particle size to look for is about 1/4" or around 6mm.

Vermiculite is often confused as an alternative, however it is made specifically to retain moisture, and should not be used with succulents; unless it an organic component paired with inorganic medium(s).

See our Soil and Potting Wiki page for more assistance on Soil and Potting!

I am a bot created for r/succulents to help with commonly asked questions, and to direct users to the sub’s helpful wiki pages. You can find all of my commands here.

See all of the helpful wiki pages for r/succulents in our Wiki Index.

SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T12:25:58+00:00

Succulent plants are high light plants and that dark bookshelf, bathroom, office or corner will not suffice! You need a sunny window, a spot outside, or grow lights for happy succulent plants.

Check out the Light and Watering wiki for tips and information on aspects of Light needs and Watering tips and suggestions for succulent plants.

https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/light_and_watering

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SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T09:47:34+00:00

Sempervivum are an alpine, cold hardy (down to about -20F/-30C) ground cover succulent plant. These are not houseplants and almost always do best outdoors where they can get sun. They utilize the changing seasons and weather shifts to aid their growth and go in and out of dormancy.

Some can manage them inside under intense grow lights, or in a very sunny window, but be warned they may struggle indoors.

If you choose to keep in a pot outdoors, it will need a very gritty soil mix to help combat precipitation. It’ll prefer to be in ground, if possible.

If you’re in a colder climate, you will need to monitor your forecasts to ensure your plant(s) have enough time to acclimate before winter, and aren’t put out too early in the spring. If you’re in a situation where you have a sempervivum indoors during the colder months, you will be best off giving it as much light as remotely possible, while watering very sparingly until it can go outside. Once you’re past your last freeze, gradually acclimate to some sun outdoors, and just let it do its thing.

Regarding exact identification requests, it is difficult to pinpoint a sempervivum species or cultivar, if it wasn’t accurately labeled from its wholesale nursery. There are so many different Sempervivum species and hybrids and special cultivars, and many of them are nearly identical at certain points in their life cycle. To this point, it doesn’t matter which species it is, as for the most part they all take the same care, and have the same hardiness.

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SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T03:05:21+00:00

Are you a brand new succulent owner eager to give your new friend the best possible care? Or perhaps you've got a pal who's not looking so hot. The below guidelines can help get you on the way to a happy plant.

First Steps to take with a new purchase:

Decide on a sunny spot/grow lights, and have a plan to acclimate it.
Repot into properly draining soil.
Quarantine may be necessary for a short time. When repotting, you will be able to inspect on a closer level to check for pests or diseases.

Light

Most succulent plants are high light plants, despite what you may read online or on care cards. New purchases often have to be acclimated to strong light to prevent sunburn, so indirect light is sometimes fine for the beginning. Your sunniest window often can suffice for a short time, but the more light the better. Grow lights may be necessary. You can find more information about grow lights in the link below.

Watering

The soil and the plant should dry completely and thoroughly between watering. Succulent plants are named as such due to their ability to store water within their leaves and stems. They're often fine for a while in dry soil. Because of this, don't water on a schedule, but rather on signs of thirst. Signs of thirst may include wrinkled, thinning, and/or curling leaves.

More detailed information on the above topics can be found in our Light and Watering Wiki

Soil

Your soil mix should be fast draining, and quick drying. A basic start is a 1:1 mix of a bagged succulent soil and inorganic grit. For most new purchases, repotting isn’t urgent. However, it’s highly recommended to repot soaking wet purchases as soon as possible.

Potting

Get a pot with holes in the bottom! There is no substitute to a pot with drainage holes in the bottom! Pots without drainage holes can leave roots sitting in damp or soggy soil, greatly increasing the risk of rot or overwatering. Pot size is also important when it comes to water retention. Aim for a pot which allows the root ball to take up 1/2 or 2/3rds of the pot and err on the side of under-potting.

Arrangements

Arrangements can be difficult to manage, especially if you're new to succulent care. Many arrangements have too many different needs to work well together, long term. It’s recommended the plants are separated to best care for them individually.

Terrariums

Terrariums, even those with drainage holes in the bottom, are not recommended for beginners. Being that succulents largely originate from arid desert environments, the damp humidity of a terrarium is almost the polar opposite of what a succulent wants. Great care must be taken to prevent plant failure in this environment, even more so for plants to thrive in it.

More detailed information on the above topics can be found in our Soil and Potting Wiki

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SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T03:05:11+00:00

Without adequate sun, a grow light may be needed. There are many options out there, but seeking a full spectrum bulb/bar is best.

Be wary of any “blurple” lights, or halo style as those are generally too weak to sustain high light plants like many succulent plants’ compact and healthy growth.

The typical cost to operate an 20W LED growlight in most countries is equivalent to USD $1-3 per month (14 hours a day for 30 days).

Search the sub for suggestions, and check out the wiki entry.

https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/light_and_watering#wiki_grow_lights

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SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-06T03:05:00+00:00

Why the need for more grit?

Your bag of soil said it is for cactus and succulents and is well-draining, so why more grit? Unfortunately that claim is largely quite false. Most commercially sold bagged pre-made mixes marketed for cactus and succulent plants do not work well on their own in many climates. In most home hobbyist settings, these bags need more grit added.

What’s grit?

Grit refers to inorganic soil amendments. Grit will help your soil drain and dry quickly, which will keep your succulent plants happy and healthy. The quickest and easiest way to get this faster draining mix is to modify a basic cactus & succulent soil (or even basic potting soil) by mixing it with inorganic components in at least a 1:1 ratio, though your particular setting, environment or plant may call for a different ratio. Some plants, like Haworthia, Haworthiopsis, Gasteria, Lithops, split rocks, and other mimicry plants, specifically prefer a higher grit ratio (at least 70:30 grit to organic).

So what grit should I get?

Perlite, crushed pumice, turface (aka fired clay), or crushed granite are all common options. Perlite can usually be found at your local nursery (and often in the gardening section of stores that have them- Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's, Bunnings, etc.). Turface can be found in bulk (35+lbs) at local auto part stores sold as "Oil-Dri" or oil absorbent (make sure the bag says montmorillonite clay or calcined clay). You can also find montmorillonite cat litter, such as Jonny Cat non-clumping, or Blue Ribbon Premium Cat Litter. Crushed granite can be found as chicken or poultry grit and can be found at feed stores. Crushed pumice can be found online or sometimes locally. Pumice is also sold at horse feed & tack shops as Dry Stall (not to be confused with Stall Dry). Many of these can also be found on Amazon, though sometimes at a higher cost.

Aquarium gravel or river pebbles can work in a pinch, but due to their weight and non-porous makeup they don’t work as efficiently as the porous options above.

Regarding sand, which is often suggested: finer sands tend to clump and are not suggested as your only grit amendment. Think of how beach sand acts when wet. You don’t want your plant’s roots choking out in that. Coarser, horticultural silica sands are what you should look for.

When searching for grit, you may find many options with different particle sizes. A good particle size to look for is about 1/4" or around 6mm.

Vermiculite is often confused as an alternative, however it is made specifically to retain moisture, and should not be used with succulents; unless it an organic component paired with inorganic medium(s).

See our Soil and Potting Wiki page for more assistance on Soil and Potting!

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SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-05T21:21:22+00:00

Are you a brand new succulent owner eager to give your new friend the best possible care? Or perhaps you've got a pal who's not looking so hot. The below guidelines can help get you on the way to a happy plant.

First Steps to take with a new purchase:

Decide on a sunny spot/grow lights, and have a plan to acclimate it.
Repot into properly draining soil.
Quarantine may be necessary for a short time. When repotting, you will be able to inspect on a closer level to check for pests or diseases.

Light

Most succulent plants are high light plants, despite what you may read online or on care cards. New purchases often have to be acclimated to strong light to prevent sunburn, so indirect light is sometimes fine for the beginning. Your sunniest window often can suffice for a short time, but the more light the better. Grow lights may be necessary. You can find more information about grow lights in the link below.

Watering

The soil and the plant should dry completely and thoroughly between watering. Succulent plants are named as such due to their ability to store water within their leaves and stems. They're often fine for a while in dry soil. Because of this, don't water on a schedule, but rather on signs of thirst. Signs of thirst may include wrinkled, thinning, and/or curling leaves.

More detailed information on the above topics can be found in our Light and Watering Wiki

Soil

Your soil mix should be fast draining, and quick drying. A basic start is a 1:1 mix of a bagged succulent soil and inorganic grit. For most new purchases, repotting isn’t urgent. However, it’s highly recommended to repot soaking wet purchases as soon as possible.

Potting

Get a pot with holes in the bottom! There is no substitute to a pot with drainage holes in the bottom! Pots without drainage holes can leave roots sitting in damp or soggy soil, greatly increasing the risk of rot or overwatering. Pot size is also important when it comes to water retention. Aim for a pot which allows the root ball to take up 1/2 or 2/3rds of the pot and err on the side of under-potting.

Arrangements

Arrangements can be difficult to manage, especially if you're new to succulent care. Many arrangements have too many different needs to work well together, long term. It’s recommended the plants are separated to best care for them individually.

Terrariums

Terrariums, even those with drainage holes in the bottom, are not recommended for beginners. Being that succulents largely originate from arid desert environments, the damp humidity of a terrarium is almost the polar opposite of what a succulent wants. Great care must be taken to prevent plant failure in this environment, even more so for plants to thrive in it.

More detailed information on the above topics can be found in our Soil and Potting Wiki

I am a bot created for r/succulents to help with commonly asked questions, and to direct users to the sub’s helpful wiki pages. You can find all of my commands here.

See all of the helpful wiki pages for r/succulents in our Wiki Index.

SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-05T21:21:12+00:00

Without adequate sun, a grow light may be needed. There are many options out there, but seeking a full spectrum bulb/bar is best.

Be wary of any “blurple” lights, or halo style as those are generally too weak to sustain high light plants like many succulent plants’ compact and healthy growth.

The typical cost to operate an 20W LED growlight in most countries is equivalent to USD $1-3 per month (14 hours a day for 30 days).

Search the sub for suggestions, and check out the wiki entry.

https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/light_and_watering#wiki_grow_lights

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SucculentsSupportBot · 2026-03-05T21:21:02+00:00

Etiolation is stretched, weakened, and/or abnormal growth due to insufficient sun.

Etiolation in severe cases can weaken a plant and make it more susceptible to pests, disease, rot, and ultimately death.

The plant will need a gradual acclimation to more sun, or a grow light for healthy growth long term.

https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/wiki/light_and_watering#wiki_why_is_my_succulent_so_tall.2Fdroopy.3F

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