Succulent plants are a popular choice for indoor & outdoor gardening, and they are relatively easy to care for.
However, during the colder months in Canada, tropical succulents are susceptible to damage from the cold air, and so, if you do have those tropical varieties outside, you need to bring them inside for the winter.
To keep your succulents healthy over the winter, it is important to provide them with proper light, water, and temperature conditions. Remember that stretching (see above photo) is normal during the winter, and you can correct this growth in the Spring when they enter their growing season!
LIGHT
It's important to provide your succulents with as much bright light as possible. This can be achieved by placing them on or near a window that gets plenty of sunlight. You will most likely still see some stretching of your succulents in the winter. That is totally normal! If you really don't have enough natural light, you can supplement with artificial light using indoor grow lights.
WATER
Succulents require less water during the winter, as most species enter a dormancy period, where they stop growing as fast. Be sure to allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. It is very easy to overwater your succulents during the winter dormancy, so it is important to be mindful around frequency of watering. You can check the soil moisture by sticking your finger in the soil before watering, or by purchasing a moisture meter.
STRETCHING
Succulent plants can stretch and become leggy if they are not getting enough light. This is a common problem when they are kept indoors during the winter months. Because they are dormant in the winter, it is a good idea to wait until the spring (May/June) to correct this stretching. Once spring arrives, and succulents enter their growing season, the first step is the cut or prune the stretched plant. Leave about 4-5 layers of leaves below the cut. This will encourage bushier, and more dense growth.
With proper care, your tropical succulents will survive during the winter months, and thrive during the spring and summer season!
For "how to" videos on succulent propagation & care,
check out our TikTok!