
How to help succulents survive winter indoors?
Succulents: 8 Tips to Help Your Favorite Indoor Plants Survive Winter
- Buy Hardy Succulents. Above: From left, hardy varieties of succulents include burro’s tail, a sedum, an aloe, a snake plant, Sedum ‘Pork and Beans’, and (in front) Sedum ‘Golden Glow’.
- Feed Succulents Sparingly. ...
- Find a Sunny Spot. ...
- Withhold Water. ...
- Arrange for Drainage. ...
- Expect Leaf Loss. ...
- De-bug As Needed. ...
- Check the Thermostat. ...
Do succulents need to come inside during winter?
Succulents can be affected by a multitude of things during the winter time. However, good housekeeping will give them the best chance of survival. Remove dead and dying leaves as these can potentially rot causing diseases and fungus to spread. You can also move your plants indoors to a greenhouse, porch or conservatory.
What temperature is too cold for succulents?
The freezing point or a temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit is too cold to survive for soft succulents. Hardy succulents can tolerate freezing temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they still cannot handle excess moisture around the leaves and the roots and hence need to be protected from snowfall.
How cold can succulents tolerate?
Winter hardy succulents, on the other hand, have developed a certain degree of resistance to cold and frost. In some cases, they can withstand temperatures of well below zero degrees Celsius and can therefore easily hibernate outdoors.

How do you keep succulents alive in the winter?
Succulents Need Little Water During 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.
Should I bring succulents inside for 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.
When should I bring my succulents inside?
Tender succulents are tropical or subtropical species that cannot withstand frost when the temperature goes below a certain point, so they must be brought inside when winter comes. Soft succulents can be kept outside when the temperature is at least 50° to 60° F (28.88°C).
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.
How do you keep succulents alive outside?
When outdoors, however, succulents can be soaked by heavy rains. For this reason, it's important to use pots with drainage holes. Terra cotta pots are ideal, as they naturally wick away moisture from the soil. Succulents should be potted in a lightweight succulent soil mix that allows for ideal drainage.
Do succulents prefer inside or outside?
Yes, in theory they are supposed to be outdoors. But succulents are resilient plants, so they can pretty much survive anywhere with neglect, little access to water, fast draining soil and a solid source of light. If you live in an area that provides the ideal environment for them to thrive outdoors - that's great!
How cold is too cold for succulents?
40 degreesPreferably 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.
Is there a difference between indoor and outdoor succulents?
You may have noticed that succulents growing outdoors often seem to be healthier and prettier than those grown indoors. The two biggest reasons for this are more sunlight (which prevents stretching) and better airflow (allowing the roots to dry out more quickly).
What is the most beautiful flower on a succulent?
One of my absolute favorites was Opuntia “Pina Colada ,” which has a flower that actually changes colors.
Do cactus live in temperate climates?
The great thing about these Sempervivums, Sedums and Opuntia (or “Prickly Pear cactus”), is that they can also live in more temperate climates as well!
Do succulents survive freezing temperatures?
Each succulent has different temperature needs, though most won't tolerate long term freezing temperatures. However, there is a whole group of cold hardy beauties that are very over-looked in the world of succulents! A lot of people don’t realize they exist, or that there are so many of them!
Can succulents survive in the winter?
Can succulents survive outside in the winter? If you live in a climate with 4 seasons, especially one with harsh winters, there are some succulents that will grow outdoors year round for you, though most will not. Each succulent has different temperature needs, though most won't tolerate long term freezing temperatures. ...
What is the best temperature for succulents in the winter?
Succulents Perfect for Outdoor Winters. There are a handful of succulents that do well outdoors, usually to Zone 5, which is -20 degrees F. These are traditionally called frost hardy succulents. These are all Sempervivum, some Sedum and a couple of aloes too - as far as what we carry.
How cold can succulents get?
In their ideal world, they would have 40 degree F and up temperatures year-round. If you live in an area where your winters stay above 35 degrees, you can incorporate soft succulents into your garden or outdoor potted plant arrangements, and won't have to move them indoors.
How do you keep succulents warm in the winter?
A: Succulents require a lot of light to grow, so you should place them near a window or under a lamp. You can also keep them in the fridge for a few hours before bringing them outside and placing them in the sun.
How do I protect my succulents from snow?
A: Succulents are very sensitive to cold, so you should keep them in a warm place. If theyre outside, try putting them in a pot with some sand or soil and then covering the top of the pot with a plastic bag.
How do you care for succulents in pots outside?
A: Succulents are not plants that require much care. They can be watered with a spray bottle or misting system, but they do not need to be overwatered. You should also make sure that the soil is well-drained and that you keep them in an area where they will receive natural light.
Why is my succulent dying?
A: Succulents are very sensitive to light and heat. If you have a window nearby, try moving it further away from your succulents pot. If the room is too warm, try placing the plant in an area with less light or cooler temperatures.
Can I use regular potting soil for succulents?
A: You can use regular potting soil for succulents, but it is important to remember that the soil needs to be porous. This means that you should not use a potting mix or any other type of clay-based soil.
Why did my succulent died overnight?
A: Succulents are hardy plants that can survive in harsh conditions. They need a lot of light and water to thrive, so if you have not been watering them or giving them enough light, they may die overnight.
Why did my succulent turn black?
A: This is a common problem with succulents. The roots of the plant are often not well-drained, and they cant get enough oxygen to live. You can help by cutting off the top of the pot and filling it with fresh soil.
Can You Leave Succulents Out in the Winter?
Hardy succulents such as some Sedums, Sempervivums and Opuntia are excellent hardy succulents. They can tolerate below-freezing temperatures, frost and can remain outdoors all through the winter months. These hardy succulents are suitable for all-year-round, outdoor growing and in fact, they do much better outdoors than indoors.
How to Care for Succulents in Winter
Succulents have special needs, especially during the winter, when the temperature drops and you must ensure that your care for the succulents is tailored so that these demands are met to enable them to survive the harsh winter conditions.
Overwintering Soft Succulents Indoors
Soft or tender succulents like Echeveria, Crassula and Aeonium cannot tolerate very low temperatures and frost conditions. These soft succulents are quite happy and thrive well outdoors in warm and sunny weather.
Overwintering Hardy Succulents Outside
Hardy succulents such as Sempervivum, Sedum, Agave, Lewisa, Yucca and Ice Plant grow best outdoors and are tolerant to very low temperatures and frost. Typically, these plants overwinter quite well up to zone 5 to 6 and higher.
What succulents can tolerate cold temperatures?
Some of the most cold-hardy succulents belong to the Sempervivum , Sedum and Euphorbias genus . Most of these can tolerate temperature as low as -20F (Hardiness Zone 5) so you can grow those succulents outside all year round. Other succulents that are more sensitive to frost are "Soft Succulents".
How to prepare succulents for indoors?
Prepare succulents for indoor living. Before actually putting your succulents indoors, first spray them with a surface insecticide. This prep work should occur at least 3 weeks before their indoor adaptation to make sure your succulents are pest-free.
How much light do succulents need?
It's best to mimic their growing conditions inside the house. In hotter zone 9-11, a sunny windowsill can sufficient 6-8 hours of bright light but for regions that don't get much sunlight, consider getting a growth light for succulents.
Can succulents survive freezing temperatures?
Most of the others can survive when the temp is above 40 Fahrenheit degrees. Regardless of genus, you should never put your succulents in freezing temperature.
Can you winterize succulents?
Winterize your succulent is an important step prior to bringing it inside. as you have removed the “bad stuff from the pot”, changed the soil, watered sparingly, cleaned and changed the pot (if necessary), it is now time to take care of the plant indoors. In fact, the caring works for putting the succulent inside is more a task of maintenance.
Can succulents grow indoors?
Another thing to consider for indoor adaptation is providing enough light for succulents in winter. If your succulents have been kept outside for a long time, they've gotten used to being exposed to bright light on a regular basis. It's best to mimic their growing conditions inside the house.
Do succulents need water?
If your succulent is summer dormant, it will need water more frequently. Regardless of the dormant type, always water the plant just when the soil is completely dry. Moreover, as the airflow indoors is not as strong as outdoors, the soil will take a longer time to dry. In case you want to accelerate the drying process, ...
How do you keep succulents alive indoors?
A: Succulents need a lot of light, so you should place them near a window. They also need to be watered often and have their soil kept moist. If theyre given enough light and water, they can survive indoors for a long time.
What succulents can stay outside in winter?
A: Succulents are plants that can survive outside in winter. Some succulents, like the aloe vera plant, have thick leaves and a waxy coating on their leaves that helps them stay dry when it is cold out. Other succulents, like the cacti, can store water in their stems and roots to help them through the winter.
Can you revive a frozen succulent?
A: Unfortunately, this is not possible. Succulents are living plants and they require a lot of water to survive. If you leave them outside for too long in the winter, their leaves will freeze and then thaw out again when it warms up.
How To Keep Succulents Alive In Winter?
Succulents are native to deserts and prefer warmth, but winters make them feel bad and disturb their growth. Therefore, giving additional care to succulents in winter is mandatory.
Succulents Winter Care Routine
Now your succulents are indoors, let’s begin the winter care routine to keep them happy and alive. Remember, winter maintenance would also be the same for already indoor succulents.
3 Tips To Keep Succulents Alive In Winter
As temperature fluctuations are unsuitable for succulents, the falling temperature can shrivel plants, so maintaining the ideal temperature is necessary. You can use a thermostat to keep the temperature in range and manage it before it hurts plants.
Conclusion
Now you are good enough to keep succulents alive in winters. All conditions mentioned above provide sustainable conditions without rotting or dwindling plant leaves. So, do whatever you can but never let your succulents sit in the cold and take care of them.
7 Best Cold Hardy Succulents Zone 5 (with images & caring tips)
Click to read the 7 Best Cold Hardy succulents Zone 5 that you can grow with beautiful images and caring tips. Do not forget to share these with other succulent growers.
