I live in a humid apartment that's suitable for houseplants like maidenhair ferns and anthuriums, but my succulents and cacti are drying out way too fast. They literally shrivel up and only perk back up when I bottom water them. I've got a mix of jade, sedum, burros tail, strings of pearls, cacti, and aloe, and they all seem to need constant watering to survive. What's going on?
3 Answers
It's true! I hardly ever water my succulents or cacti, but they still need water more often than some other houseplants. You want to strike that balance — water them deeply, but let them dry out between watering sessions to keep them happy without overwatering.
The reason your succulents are drying out so quickly is probably due to the type of soil and pots you're using. Succulents thrive in gritty soil that's designed to drain quickly, and if you have them in clay or terracotta pots, that's also pulling moisture away fast. Unlike your tropical plants that sit in moisture-retaining soil with plastic pots, these guys prefer to dry out relatively quickly. If your conditions aren’t giving them enough humidity or airflow, they might be struggling more than usual.
Have you checked the composition of the soil you're using? If you're not bottom watering them, they might not be getting enough moisture during regular watering. Just a little splash every time means they’re more thirsty after than they should be. But once you give them a solid soak, they bounce back!