As winter approaches, the world slows down. Days shorten, the air turns crisp, and nature settles into stillness. As summer's warmth fades and autumn’s coolness gives way to winter’s chill, plants begin to adapt for the seasonal shift. In colder climates, gardens retreat into dormancy, conserving energy for spring’s renewal. Even resilient, sun-loving succulents join this seasonal pause, they’re nestled indoors or braving the cold winds outside.
Though loved for their charm and toughness, succulents still face unique challenges in winter. Changes in light, temperature, and humidity can stress even these hardy plants if their care isn’t adjusted. Whether you’re an experienced plant parent or a beginner, understanding how to support your succulents during the colder months is essential. With a few simple changes to your routine, you can help them rest through winter and emerge refreshed for the growing season ahead.
Why Do We Need To Winterize Our Succulents?
Winter brings a major shift from the warm, sunny conditions that succulents naturally thrive in. Shorter days, cooler temperatures, and changing humidity levels create a new environment that requires careful adjustments to help succulents adapt and stay healthy.
One of the most significant challenges is the reduction in sunlight. Succulents rely on bright light for photosynthesis, but in winter, shorter days and weaker light make it harder for them to produce the energy they need. Without sufficient light, they may stretch, becoming leggy and losing their compact shape.
Cooler temperatures also pose risks, especially for non-hardy succulents. Exposure to temperatures below 50°F can cause tissue damage or even death. Indoors, temperature fluctuations from drafts, heaters, or poorly insulated windows can further stress succulents.
Humidity shifts add to the challenge. Indoor heating can create excessively dry air, causing succulents to lose moisture faster, while outdoor succulents may face damp soil from rain or snow, increasing the risk of root rot.
Winter disrupts the stable conditions succulents rely on during their growing season, making it essential to help them adapt. Winterizing your succulents isn’t just about survival—it’s about aligning their care with the natural rhythms of the season.
Understand Succulent Dormancy
Dormancy in succulents is when growth slows to conserve energy and water during tough conditions.
Image by The Succulent Eclectic
Dormancy in succulents is a natural process that occurs when the plant slows its growth to conserve energy and resources during unfavorable conditions. Triggered by environmental cues such as shorter days, cooler temperatures, and reduced water availability, dormancy helps succulents survive challenging periods like winter. These plants, adapted to arid climates with distinct seasonal patterns, shift from active growth to a low-energy state to protect themselves and ensure long-term survival.
During dormancy, photosynthesis and metabolic activity slow significantly, conserving the plant's stored energy. Water conservation becomes crucial, with the stomata closing more often to minimize water loss. Internally, hormones like abscisic acid signal the plant to focus on maintaining its essential functions while minimizing growth. This allows the succulent to endure with minimal resources until conditions improve.
The benefits of dormancy are vital to a succulent’s health. By conserving energy and water, the plant avoids stress and prepares for vigorous growth when spring arrives. Dormancy also reduces the risk of issues like root rot by aligning the plant’s needs with seasonal changes. Succulents that experience proper dormancy emerge stronger and more resilient, ready to thrive in the growing season.
Do Indoor Succulents Need a Winter Care Routine?
Dormancy is primarily triggered by changes in light and temperature, which affect indoor environments as well. Shorter days and reduced light intensity in winter slow photosynthesis, the process that drives plant growth. This signals succulents to conserve energy and resources, entering a restful state until light conditions improve in spring.
Temperature also plays a role, as cooler nighttime temperatures or drafts near windows can mimic the seasonal changes succulents experience in their native habitats. Even slight temperature variations reinforce the plant's dormancy response, prompting it to slow metabolic processes and conserve water and nutrients.
Additionally, succulents are genetically hardwired to follow seasonal cycles. Over thousands of years, they have evolved to grow during warm, sunny periods and rest during cooler, less favorable seasons. This internal rhythm persists even indoors, ensuring the plant conserves energy and prepares for renewed, vigorous growth when spring arrives. Understanding why indoor succulents go dormant highlights the importance of this natural rest period for their overall health and vitality.
How to Prepare Your Succulents for Winter
1. Light Adjustments
Succulents rely on bright light for photosynthesis, and insufficient light can cause them to stretch, weaken, and lose their compact shape. Adjusting their light exposure during the dark winter is key to keeping them healthy. For indoor succulents, place them near the brightest window, ideally one facing south or west, where they can receive maximum sunlight. Clean windows regularly to optimize light exposure. If natural light is limited, use a grow light.
For outdoor succulents that stay outside, ensure they receive as much sunlight as possible while being protected from harsh winter conditions. Move them to sunnier spots, such as a covered patio or near a light-reflecting wall, if their usual location becomes too shaded.
When adjusting light exposure, transition your succulents gradually to avoid stress. Whether moving indoor plants closer to windows or introducing grow lights, or relocating outdoor plants, make changes over several days to help them adapt. These adjustments will ensure your succulents thrive throughout the winter season.
2. Temperature Management
Temperature is a critical factor in winter care for succulents, as many varieties are sensitive to the cold and can suffer damage if exposed to freezing conditions. Maintaining a suitable temperature range helps keep your succulents healthy and ensures they transition smoothly through dormancy.
Maintain indoor temps between 60°F–75°F, and protect outdoor succulents from frost with insulation and shelter.
For indoor succulents, aim to maintain temperatures between 60°F and 75°F, mimicking their natural habitats. Protect them from cold drafts near windows or doors, and avoid placing them too close to heaters or radiators, which can create sudden spikes in temperature and dry out their leaves.
Outdoor succulents need more attention, especially non-cold-hardy varieties. Those that cannot tolerate temperatures below 50°F should be brought indoors before frost arrives. Hardy succulents like Sedum and Sempervivum can remain outdoors but benefit from protection in freezing weather. Use frost cloths, mulch, or burlap to insulate roots and place them in sheltered spots like a sunny wall or covered patio to minimize cold exposure. These measures ensure your succulents stay safe and healthy throughout the winter.
3. Watering Routine
During winter, most succulents enter dormancy, significantly reducing their need for water. Overwatering during this period is one of the most common causes of root rot, which can quickly harm or kill your plants. To prevent this, allow the soil to dry out completely before watering. This often means watering only once every 3–4 weeks, though the exact frequency depends on your plant's environment. When watering, use room-temperature water to avoid shocking the plant and ensure thorough drainage. Allow excess water to run out, and never let the plant sit in standing water, as this can suffocate the roots and encourage fungal growth.
For indoor succulents, the lower light levels and cooler temperatures of winter mean water evaporates more slowly, requiring less frequent watering. Avoid misting your succulents, as this can create unnecessary humidity around the plant and promote rot. Outdoor succulents, particularly in regions with winter rainfall, may not need supplemental watering at all, but well-draining soil is crucial to prevent water pooling around their roots.
4. Repotting, Pruning, Propagation
For repotting, succulents should be repotted during their active growing season in spring or summer, as this is when they can quickly recover and establish themselves in new soil. Repotting during winter can shock the plant, disrupting its dormancy and increasing the risk of root rot or other issues. If repotting is absolutely necessary due to pests, disease, or severely compacted soil, handle the plant with care. Use well-draining succulent soil and avoid watering immediately after repotting to give the roots time to settle.
Pruning should also be kept to a minimum during winter since succulents are not actively growing. However, you can carefully remove dead or damaged leaves to maintain the plant's appearance and reduce the risk of disease. Always use clean, sharp tools to prevent infection, and avoid over-pruning, as the plant will not regenerate new growth until spring.
Propagation is generally less successful in winter due to the slower growth and reduced rooting activity of dormant plants. While you can propagate cuttings or leaves during this time, they will take much longer to root and establish. For the best results, wait until spring when your succulents resume active growth. If you do choose to propagate during winter, ensure the cuttings are kept in a warm, well-lit area with minimal moisture to prevent rot.
5. Fertilizing
Succulents should not be fertilized during winter, as most enter dormancy and significantly reduce their metabolic activity. Adding fertilizer during this time can disrupt their rest period, leading to salt buildup, root burn, or weak, leggy growth due to limited light and cooler temperatures.
During dormancy, succulents rely on stored nutrients from their growing season, making additional feeding unnecessary. It’s best to stop fertilizing by late summer or early fall to allow for a natural transition into dormancy. Resume feeding in spring when active growth begins, using a diluted, balanced fertilizer to support healthy development. Holding off on winter fertilizing ensures your succulents stay stress-free and ready to thrive in the growing season.
6. Soil and Pot Considerations
Proper soil and pot selection are crucial for succulent health, especially during winter when the risk of overwatering and root rot increases. Succulents require well-draining soil to prevent excess moisture from accumulating around their roots. A cactus or succulent mix is ideal, as it is designed to allow water to pass through quickly. If you notice your current soil retains water for too long, consider adding perlite, coarse sand, or pumice to improve aeration and drainage.
The choice of pot is equally important. Pots must have drainage holes to allow excess water to escape, reducing the risk of waterlogging. Terracotta and ceramic pots are excellent options because they are porous and help wick away moisture from the soil.
For detail guide on how to prepare your succulents for winter, you can watch our video below:
Common Problems
Winter can be a challenging time for succulents, as the changes in light, temperature, and watering routines create conditions that may lead to many issues. Overwatering is a frequent issue, as succulents require much less water during dormancy. Excess moisture can cause root rot, which damages the plant’s roots and may kill the succulent if not addressed. Reduced light during winter can also lead to leggy growth, where the plant stretches toward the light and loses its compact shape. To prevent this, ensure your succulents receive as much bright light as possible, either through a sunny window or supplemental grow lights.
Frost damage is another concern for outdoor succulents, especially non-hardy varieties. Freezing temperatures can blacken or mushify leaves and stems, so it’s essential to protect them with frost cloths or move them indoors before temperatures drop too low. Indoor succulents can also face challenges, such as pests like spider mites or mealybugs, which thrive in dry winter conditions. Regular inspection and prompt treatment can keep infestations under control.
Finally, shriveling or wrinkling leaves may occur if succulents go too long without water, even in their dormant state. While they need far less water in winter, occasional watering is still essential to maintain hydration. Keeping your succulents in a stable environment, free from drafts or heat stress, will help them avoid these common winter problems and ensure they remain healthy for the growing season ahead.
Q&A
-
Do all succulents go dormant in winter?
No, most do, but some winter-growing succulents, like Christmas cactus, remain active. -
Can I keep succulents outside during winter?
Cold-hardy succulents like Sedums and Sempervivums can stay outdoors, but non-hardy ones should be brought indoors before frost.
-
Do indoor succulents need grow lights?
Yes, if natural light is insufficient, grow lights can help prevent leggy growth. -
How can I prevent pests on indoor succulents in winter?
Inspect regularly, maintain good air circulation, and treat infestations with neem oil or insecticidal soap. -
Why are my succulents turning leggy in winter?
Leggy growth is caused by insufficient light; move them to a brighter spot or use grow lights. -
Can succulents survive freezing temperatures?
Only cold-hardy varieties can tolerate freezing; protect others with frost cloths or bring them indoors. -
Do cacti have the same winter care routine as succulents?
Not entirely. Desert cacti have similar needs, like reduced watering and frost protection, but they often tolerate cooler temperatures better. Tropical cacti, like Christmas cacti, stay active in winter and require slightly more water and higher humidity than most succulents.
See more about How to Care for your Indoor Succulents
Also, click here and download Printable: Succulent Propagation Cards, we're offering it for free as a gift for your support with us :)
