How to Care for Succulents During the Summer

It’s no secret that succulents love many things that the summer season is all about. Warmer temperatures and extended hours of sunlight are especially appealing to them! So is there anything special that you need to know about how to care for succulents during the summer? We’re sharing a few tips to keep in mind so you and your succulent babies can enjoy this lovely time of year to the fullest!

How will my succulent care routine change during the summer?

If you are planning on keeping your succulents indoors during the summer season, not too much will change for your care routine. You will want to take note of your plant’s exposure to sunlight during this season of extended daylight hours. While succulents love bright sunlight conditions, be careful of extended periods exposed to direct sunlight. If you notice dark spots forming on your succulent, it may be experiencing succulent sunburn. If you notice the succulent stretching upwards or towards a window, it is needing more light.  Make sure your plants are getting plenty of indirect sunlight during this time of year. 

While succulents tend to need very little water (only water your succulents when the soil has completely dried out), you may notice you’re needing to water slightly more often during the summer months. Longer hours exposed to sunlight and your plant experiencing more growth during the spring and summer seasons may make them more thirsty. Check that soil for an indication of when it’s time to water your succulent!

Are you planning on taking your succulents outside for the summer?

The summer season is a great time to bring your heat-loving plants outdoors. But there are a few things you need to know about how to care for succulents outdoors. When the temperatures begin to warm up, you may get the itch to move those babies outside. Make sure daytime temperatures are consistently between 60-80 °F and nighttime temps are not much lower than that before moving your succulents outside.   Temperatures higher than 90°F or lower than 40°F are never recommended for your indoor plant that is vacationing outdoors. 

If you’re located in a hot, dry climate, your succulent will need to be watered more often than those who are located in a cooler or more humid climate. If you move your plants outside and they are exposed to warmer, brighter, and drier conditions, they will need to be watered more frequently than what you’ve been doing indoors.

The spring and summer are seasons of growth for your plants so this is also a great time to fertilize them. Note: do not fertilize when your succulent soil is dry as this can burn the plant. Mix a liquid fertilizer with water and then apply.

Avoid succulent sunburn.

Another factor you want to take into account when moving your indoor succulents outside for the summer is to monitor and control their exposure to sunlight. Think about the light conditions your plants were receiving indoors and try to place them in a location with similar light exposure outdoors. Moving your plant to a drastically different light (or temperature) level can shock it, so move slowly. If you want to increase the sunlight your plant is receiving, gradually expose it to brighter conditions for a few hours each day, giving it a chance to acclimate.

Just like us, our plants are susceptible to sunburn when exposed to too many rays! Succulent sunburn appears as dry brown or black patches on leaves. If you notice this happening, move your plants to a shadier spot with more indirect light. While you won’t be able to get rid of these sunburnt patches, your plant will eventually grow new leaves and shed the damaged ones. 

Don’t bug out!

While your plant babies are outdoors and exposed to the elements, they are also exposed to pests. Check your succulents occasionally to make sure pesky mealy bugs or even ants have not infiltrated your plant’s space. Check out our past blog post for suggestions on ways to avoid these pesky bugs and critters to keep your plant safe and healthy outdoors.

Have questions? Reach out to us @wild_interiors on Instagram with your summer succulents questions!