Can you leave succulents out in the winter
Isabella Browning
Updated on April 07, 2026
Can succulent survive in winter? The answer is yes. Succulents are often known as drought-tolerant plants but some of them can also tolerate frost. They thrive in cold, snowy weather and the extreme temperature even brings out their gorgeous and vibrant colors.
Can succulents be left outside in winter?
Hardy succulents: Tolerate frost and can stay outdoors through below-freezing temperatures. They’re ideal for year-round, outdoor growing. In fact, hardy succulents grow better outdoors than in!
How cold is too cold for succulents outside?
Preferably 40 degrees and up. Temperatures under freezing are simply too cold for these plants to survive. Their plump and fleshy leaves where they store water will freeze and rot the plant. Frost hardy succulents will tolerate -20 degrees F.
What succulents can be outside in the winter?
Sempervivums, some Sedums, and their cold hardy Opuntia cousins are all great options for maintaining a gorgeous succulent garden outdoors year-round, even if your climate gets well below freezing for most of the winter months.How do you take care of succulents indoors in the winter?
Bring the succulents inside When your succulents live indoors, stop watering them and let the soil dry out. During the winter time, water them sparingly, just enough to keep them from dehydration. Also make sure the temperature is always between 50 – 60 Fahrenheit degrees.
How do you keep succulents through the winter?
Keep your succulents on the dry side during the winter. Water just enough to keep the plants from shriveling. In a cool room, you may only need to water once every 10 to 14 days. Be especially careful to keep the plant itself dry, especially rosette plants like Echeverias.
Can succulents stay outside?
A common question is can succulents live outside? The short answer is yes! They thrive in sunny locations with warm, dry climates and can tolerate some neglect, so growing succulents outdoors is a great option. Grow succulents in-ground, in pots, or tuck them away in unexpected planting spots.
Should I bring my succulents inside when it rains?
If your plants have been rained on and an overnight frost is expected, you may need to cover them or bring them inside. If the temperature is expected to stay above freezing, you should have nothing to worry about. For delicate succulents, a frost after a heavy rain can be deadly.Will succulents come back after a freeze?
Succulents in cold winter climates need some way of preventing the water in their cells from freezing. … To grow these succulents well, you need to mimic natural conditions and expose the succulents to increasing cold, and then revive them in spring.
Do succulents tolerate frost?Growing succulents in cold climates Some succulents (such as certain species of aloe) can tolerate a light frost, but not heavy or prolonged exposure. … If you know a frost is predicted, you can protect vulnerable plants by covering them with sheets of horticultural fleece/frost cloth.
Article first time published onDo succulents go dormant in the winter?
Most cacti and succulents go dormant by the time fall comes around, meaning they will stop growing when temperatures and daylight drop. 5 Ways to Care for Cacti and Succulents during Winter: 1. … Succulents need less light during the winter and will survive when given indirect light, too.
Where should I put succulents in my house?
Place the potted succulent in a sunny location. Most succulents prefer at least 6 hours of sun per day, so try to place them near a south- or east-facing window. You may notice your succulents becoming spindly or stretching toward the light if they don’t get enough sun.
Do succulents go dormant indoors?
Succulents grown indoors don’t experience a true dormancy. As such, you’ll find its not a problem to transplant or propagate succulents indoors all year round. However, for succulents growing outdoors it’s ideal to wait until the succulent is in its active growing season.
How often do you water succulents in the winter?
In the winter, succulents go dormant. Growing stops, so you’ll only need to water them once or twice for the entire season. One of the easiest ways to kill a succulent is to give it too much water in the winter, so back away from your watering can from November to March.
Should you water succulents in winter?
How often should I water my succulent? You should water your succulents every other week during non-winter months when temperatures are above 40 degrees. During the winter time (when temperatures are below 40 degrees) you should only water your succulent once a month because it is dormant during this time.
Is it bad to repot succulents in winter?
Spring & summer are the best times to plant/transplant/repot succulents. I live in a climate with warmer winters so early fall is fine. If you transplant your succulents in winter, they won’t die. Just know it’s not the optimum time so you might want to wait until spring.
Are tea bags good for succulents?
Teabags – Succulents can have a cup of tea! A tea bag should be soaked in about 5 gallons of water for 24 – 36 hours until the liquid turns a golden-brown color. This water can replace tap water when your succulent is dry and needs a drink.
When should I bring my succulents in from outside?
Generally it’s best to wait until after the last frost and when the nights don’t drop below 40F. While you could plant some succulents outside before then, you’ll find the best success with planting when the weather is warmer. Avoid waiting until summer though, as the heat can cause just as many problems as the cold.
Should I bring my cactus inside during winter?
As mentioned, it is advisable to bring your cactus indoors to avoid the harsh winter conditions. Some people opt for different types of grow lights to provide ample light for the plant. … The light should be sufficient enough to keep your cactus colorful for the few cold months.
How do I know if my succulent is dormant?
Another way to tell if your succulent is dead or just need some extra rest is to check its roots. Even though the plant might look dead, the roots are healthy. You can remove your succulents from the pot to see if their roots look shriveled, dry or mushy. If they’re not, your succulents are likely to be in dormancy.
How do you know if your succulent is dormant?
One of the first signals that a succulent entering dormancy will exhibit is that it stops growing—completely. If they have fleshy leaves, like in the case of my Senecio, they’ll simply become, yellow or brown and drop or hang limply off the sides of the plant stem. In some varieties, rosettes will contract.
Can I use regular potting soil for succulents?
Any type of all regular potting soil will work as the base to make your own succulent soil. … Don’t use heavy garden soils, mixes that contain vermiculite, or any type that says it has added moisture control or retains water. Succulents need a well draining potting soil, not one that holds moisture.
How long do succulents live?
Jade Plant70-100 yearsChristmas Cactus30+ years
How often should you water your succulent?
Indoor succulent plants should likely be watered approximately once a week. They need enough time to store the water in their leaves and for the soil to dry out between waterings. Follow these tips and techniques for watering indoor succulent plants. Use a watering with a small pour spout.
When should I bring my succulents inside for the winter?
As a general rule, you’ll want to bring your succulents in before the first frost. For many people in the US this is at the end of September. Of course, if you are growing cold hardy succulents, they can stay outside all winter.
Should you mist succulents?
Full grown succulents don’t actually like to be misted. They thrive in arid climates, so when you mist them, you are changing the humidity around the plant. This can lead to rot as well. Use misting for propagation babes to lightly provide water to their delicate little roots.
Do succulents need direct sunlight?
Succulents love direct sun, but if yours is sitting in the same exact spot day after day, it’s likely that only one side is getting enough light. … Succulents will lean towards the sun, so rotating them will help them stand up straight. (Leaning may also be a sign that they need to be in a sunnier spot.)