Do succulents need sunlight? And how much? One of the most common questions asked about succulents is whether or not they need sunlight. The answer is yes and no. While succulents do need sunlight to grow and thrive, most do not need direct sunlight all day long.
Succulent are plants that are able to store water in its leaves, stems, or roots. This allows them to survive in hot and dry environments where other plants may not be able to thrive. While many succulents have adapted to sunny conditions, too much direct sunlight can be harmful to succulents. It can cause them to lose too much moisture and dry out and succulents can, believe or not, suffer from sunburn.
How Much Light Do Succulents Need?
In general, most succulents will do well with 4-6 hours of sunlight per day. Indirect sun is preferable for most species of succulent, but if you do have your succulents in direct sun, try to provide them with some shade during the hottest hours of the day.
If you’re growing succulents indoors, place them near a sunny window where they will get bright, indirect light. If you’re growing succulents outdoors, choose a spot in your garden that gets partial sun to full sun.
It’s also important to note that different types of succulents have different sunlight needs with some succulents needing more sunlight than others to thrive. Check the needs of your succulents individually before deciding where to plant them outdoors or where to place them indoors.
Can Succulents Survive Without Sunlight?
No plant can survive without sunlight. However, some plants are more tolerant of low-light conditions than others.
Succulents are one type of plant that can withstand lower levels of light. While they will not grow as quickly or produce as much color in low light, they can still survive.
If you are growing succulents indoors, it is important to give them enough light. Place them near a window where they will receive direct sunlight for at least part of the day. If you do not have a window that gets direct sunlight, you can also use grow lights.
Succulents are relatively easy to care for and make a great addition to any home. They are perfect for those who do not want to deal with high-maintenance plants.
While they do need some sunlight, they can survive in low-light conditions.
Do Succulents Prefer Sun Or Shade?
So, the question is, do succulents prefer sun or shade?
The answer to this question depends on the type of succulents you have. Some succulents, such as cacti, require full sun to grow and bloom properly.
Others, like echeverias, will do fine in partial sun or shade. In general, most succulents prefer at least four hours of bright, indirect sunlight per day.
However, if you live in an area with very hot summers, it’s best to give your succulents some midday and afternoon shade to prevent them from getting sunburned.
If you’re not sure how much sun your succulent needs, the best thing to do is to start with a little bit of sun and then slowly increase the amount of time it spends in direct sunlight.
This will help your plant get acclimated to the light and prevent it from being damaged by too much sun. Just be sure to always keep an eye on your succulent and make sure the leaves are not getting sunburned.
Do you have a succulent that seems to be struggling? It might be because it’s not getting the right amount of sun. If you think your plant could use more light, try moving it to a brighter spot.
And if you think it might be getting too much sun, try giving it some afternoon shade or moving it to a location that doesn’t get quite as much direct sunlight. With a little trial and error, you should be able to find the perfect spot for your succulent.
How To Keep Succulents Alive During Prolonged Heatwaves
If you’re like most succulent lovers, you probably spent the last few months carefully nurturing your plants and watching them grow.
But when summer is in full swing, you may notice that your succulents start to look wilted. Don’t worry, this is normal!
Succulents are native to hot, dry climates and can tolerate long periods of heat and drought. However, they will need some extra care during prolonged heatwaves.
Here are a few tips on how to keep your succulents alive during extended periods of high temperatures:
- Water regularly, but don’t overdo it
Succulents need more water during hot weather, but be careful not to overdo it. Water your plants deeply, but then allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. If you water too frequently, the roots will rot and the plant will die. - Move your plants to a cooler location
If possible, move your succulents to a shady spot or indoors where it’s cooler. They can tolerate direct sunlight, but prolonged exposure to high temperatures can be damaging. - Protect your plants from wind and heat.
If you can’t move your plants indoors or to a shady spot, try creating a makeshift greenhouse by covering them with a clear plastic sheet or container. This will help trap moisture and create a more humid environment for your succulents. - Don’t fertilize during extended periods of heat.
Fertilizing your plants can give them a boost of energy, but it’s best to avoid this during hot weather. The extra nitrogen in fertilizer can cause the leaves to burn if they’re exposed to too much sunlight. - Check for signs of stress.
Wilting, yellowing leaves and soft or mushy stems are all signs that your succulent is stressed. If you see these symptoms, give your plant a deep watering and move it to a cooler location. With a little extra care, your succulents should survive the heatwave.
How Much Light Do Succulents Need Indoors?
Most succulents need at least four hours of direct sunlight a day to stay healthy, so if you’re growing them indoors, make sure they’re getting enough light.
If your succulents are not getting enough light, they will start to stretch and become leggy. To avoid this, give them as much light as possible and turn them regularly so that all sides of the plant get equal amounts of light.
In general, if you are in the Northern Hemisphere south-facing windows provide the lightest, followed by east- and west-facing windows. North-facing windows usually don’t provide enough light for most succulents. If you are in the Southern Hemisphere north-facing windows provide the lightest, followed by east- and west-facing windows. South-facing windows probably won’t provide sufficient light.
If you only have north-facing windows in your home (or south if you are in the Southern Hemisphere), you can supplement the light your plants receives with grow lights.
What Are Grow Lights for Succulents?
Grow lights are artificial lights that mimic the sunlight succulents need to grow. They come in a variety of types, including fluorescent, LED, and incandescent. Fluorescent grow lights are the most energy-efficient and have a long lifespan, but they can be expensive.
LED grow lights are also energy-efficient and have a long lifespan, but are even more expensive than fluorescent grow lights.
Incandescent grow lights are the least energy-efficient but are the cheapest option.
Whichever type of grow light you choose, make sure it has a high enough intensity to reach your plants. The light should be bright enough to cast shadows. If not, it’s not intense enough to be effective.
Grow lights should be turned on for 12 to 16 hours a day.
If you can’t provide sufficient light for your plant, you can supplement your plants with a specific plant food. This plant food contains a special ingredient that helps plants absorb more light, even when there’s not much light available.
If you’re not sure whether your succulents are getting enough light, consider investing in a light meter. Light meters measure the amount of light in an area and can help you determine if your plants are getting enough light.
Overall, most succulents need at least four hours of bright, indirect sunlight a day to stay healthy.
In Summary
Succulents are a great option for anyone looking to add some greenery to their home, but it’s important to know how much light your individual succulents need in order to thrive. While some succulents can survive with low light levels, most will grow best when given 4 -6 hours of bright, indirect light each day.
If you live in an area with hot summers, make sure to keep your succulents indoors where it’s cooler and give them plenty of indirect light. With a little bit of care, your succulents should be able to weather even the hottest summer days and the darkest winters.
