Known as drought-resistant plants, succulents offer numerous benefits such as purifying the air, improving humidity, providing fresh oxygen, and above all, brightening the space in all weather conditions.
According to traditional beliefs, succulents not only have the ability to thrive in adverse conditions but also absorb the negative energy that surrounds them. Thus providing you with fresh vibes, good luck, as well as wealth and abundance.
Whether you believe it or not, succulents are good to have in your bedroom and other places of the house. Bringing you good ambiances, it helps improve your focus, enhance memory, and make you feel loved and relaxed.
Considering this, you will never want succulents to die or even to get near to it. For that, you need to take good care of them, and that includes watering them on time. Before you skip watering for a few days, get to know how long succulents can go without water?
Just like any other plants, succulents also need water to survive, and if not provided for over a while, they might not be able to survive.
How long can succulents live without water?
Since succulents are known as drought-resistant plants, they need less water as compared to other plants, and they may survive a bit longer too. But, in any case, it’s important to find out how long succulents can actually go without water.
Additionally, succulents are also known for their ability to survive in all weather conditions; it is actually one of their most notable qualities. For that reason, how long a succulent can survive with no water depends on a few factors.
Typically, a succulent can go a month without water, but then again, it is subject to change with the factors involved. So, why not go through these factors and see how they affect the time a succulent can survive with no water.
Type of succulent and soil
There are several types of succulent plants available, and each one has different watering requirements. You can identify the type of plant by leaves, the growth habit, and their shape. Some species have the ability to store more water in their stems than others, and therefore, they can survive a bit longer.
Generally, succulents with fleshy stems are the ones that store more water. Taking an example, Echeveria is a type that needs frequent watering, whereas the Jade plant only requires watering once or twice a month based on other factors as well.
Talking about Crassula, it can live without water for three to five months, and there is a species known as Saguaro, which can last for as long as two years with no water. Saguaros are usually found in deserts.
In the same manner, the type of soil also depicts how long a succulent can live without water. It is because soils have different properties and how much moisture they contain. For succulents to prosper, well-draining soil is preferred.
Size and age
When it comes to watering needs, the size and age of the plants are crucial elements to analyze. An established plant will surely be going to survive longer than an old or a newly planted succulent.
The same goes for the age of the succulent. A young succulent can live without water for a few days, an average age plant can live for a few weeks, whereas an older plant may only be able to survive for a couple of days only with no water.
The indoor or outdoor environment
Where you are keeping the succulent also matters a lot when it comes to finding out how long they can go without water. It is clear that the succulents planted outside will receive more sunlight and will also be affected by other outside elements such as humidity and temperature. Thus, it requires more frequent water as compared to the succulents planted inside. Plus, it also settles that succulent planted inside will be able to live longer than the ones placed outside.
Succulent only needs a few hours of sunlight to thrive, so it’s a good idea to provide shade for the rest of the time if you have planted it outside. This will allow them to retain more water and will be able to live longer if no water is provided for one or two weeks.
Season
It is obvious for all plants that they need more water during the hot season of the year. Hot weather dries out the soil as well as plants by evaporating the water they contain. For the succulents, how long they can survive without water heavily depends on outside weather conditions.
So do not be mistaken that they can survive for even a couple of months; it heavily depends on factors like these.
How often to water succulents?
It is again subject to the weather conditions and whether you have planted the succulents indoors or outside.
In general, watering succulents once a week is enough; however, you should be careful about over-watering. For that reason, if you see the soil is wet, do not water it even if the week has passed.
Similarly, if you see the soil is dry and the leaves are showing signs of stress, water the plant no matter the time frame.
If you observe how your succulent plant leaves and soil look, you can usually tell when it needs watering. This will also help you keep a balance, and you will never have to worry about water shortage or over-watering.
Conclusion
Is it two weeks, a month, or three months? There is no specific time that can be given for how long a succulent can go without water, and that is because it depends on quite a few factors. However, in ideal conditions, a succulent can last for as long as 1 to 3 months with no water.
A succulent can go without water for an extended period, but it is more important to look for signs that indicate when it needs water. For example, when the leaves are drooping, or the soil is dry, it indicates the plant needs water.
Succulents are plants that require little maintenance and survive for a long time without water. Moreover, it brings a nice charm and adds a touch of elegance.