Hey everyone! I'm a total newbie when it comes to succulents, and I ended up with some after winning them at a work event. I've placed them in the only sunny spot I have, which is by a window. One of my plants is leaning so much towards the light that it looks like it's trying to escape. I tried turning the pot, but it just leans the same way again. Another plant has started leaning away from the light after I turned it, but I've noticed that the bottom leaves are turning brown and dying. I've also observed that the amount of soil in the pots seems to have decreased. I'd love to understand what might be going wrong with them. What's with the leaning, soil reduction, and dying leaves? Am I doing something to harm my plants?
2 Answers
It sounds like you're dealing with some common issues that many new succulent owners face. First off, if your plants are leaning towards the light, it could be due to insufficient lighting, a condition known as etiolation. This happens when succulents don't get enough sun, causing them to stretch towards the light source. Those brown leaves might indicate that you have either a rotting issue or just normal leaf shedding. If the leaves are mushy, it's likely rot, but if they're just dry and crispy, that's usually normal. Make sure to give them plenty of strong, indirect light and avoid overwatering.
Also, check on the soil condition. If it's too compacted or retains too much moisture, that could be a big part of the problem as well! Keep an eye on how often you're watering and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Hey there! As a new succulent parent, it can definitely be tough to figure out how to care for your plants. Here's a quick guide: start by placing your succulents in a bright spot and consider using a grow light if you can't provide enough natural light. Your plants might need acclimating to stronger light that can keep them stable.
For the soil, make sure it's well-draining. A good mix could be half cactus soil and half perlite or grit to help with drainage. As for your plants losing leaves, don’t worry too much about the bottom leaves turning brown. This can happen naturally, but if they're feeling mushy, that's a sign of overwatering. Always let the soil dry out completely before watering again.
Lastly, if you can, share pictures once you’re home! It helps to visualize the problem better. Good luck with your succulents!