In case of succulents with caudex like Adenium Desert Rose, they often lose leaves during dormancy but their caudex still looks healthy and plump. Then, in some parts, succulents don’t go completely dormant. Posted by 4 years ago. You’ll find them growing the most during the fall, winter and spring. It's not like they use a calendar, y'know? Echeveria Collection | Most succulents go dormant in the winter, but some are winter growers. The most important factor in your succulent’s winter care regime is whether your species becomes dormant over the winter or not. Assuming the plant is frost tolerant, if “cold” is 50 degrees Fahrenheit they’ll keep growing more than if cold is 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Although generally, succulents do not actively grow during winter. Like the forum member said, your succulents will tell you what they need… you just have to know what to look for. I love this comment from a succulent forum on dormancy, “Your plant will tell you when it is growing. Some of them are much more likely to grow well for you than others. Winter Dormant Summer growers This group is generally regarded as the “summer growers”. However, during the hottest days of summer (July/August in the US), they will go through a mini dormancy period and slow down their growth. Most succulents can also be put into two categories - summer growers and winter growers. … Press J to jump to the feed. Basically, you shouldn’t water succulents when: Summer dormant succulents prefer cooler temperatures for actively growing. Many are dormant during winter and need little water. Simply pick a small branch and bend it sharply. Add some fertilizer around April and these hens and chicks will really take off! © 2020 Read on for tips for caring for your cactus and succulent plants in the winter. Ask your question below: Did you know each species of succulent has slightly different care needs? While they may not be actively taking up water when temperatures reach their peak during the summer, most succulents want their roots to stay cool. Some go to sleep in the winter, like Pincushion cacti, agave plants, and your cold-hardy sedums. While these succulents will do just fine in temperate climates, they do most of their growing when temperatures get warmer. Winter dormant succulents, or summer growers, will grow mainly in spring, summer and autumn and lie dormant for winter. Sempervivum blooms are mono carpic and highly attractive to butterflies. Kinda like a bear, right?! A species that is winter dormant will slow down and, conversely, winter growers (which are usually dormant during the summer) will take off. Many succulents are dormant in the winter so they won’t need as much water. Traditionally, succulents might be divided into categories of “Winter Dormant” and “Summer Dormant”. Oh by the way, are offering a FREE printable 2021 calendar  as a little gift for your continued support to Succulents Box :) It comes in cute monthly succulent and cactus themes. Let’s dive in to what that actually means for succulents. Winter Dormant Succulent Species (Summer Growers) These are just a few of the more popular succulent species that thrive in warmer temperatures, usually going dormant from late October to mid-February. The biggest discussion around succulent dormancy is when succulents are in need of more or less frequent watering. ... Succulents. So in terms of winter dormancy, there are three main classifications of succulents: winter growing, semi-dormant, and totally dormant. Give them a little more. Summer growers are succulents that grow actively in the summer months from May to August and become dormant in the winter months from November to February. Some signs indicating that a succulent starts “sleeping” is that it stops producing new growth completely, the leaves might turn yellow/brown and either drop or hang limply off the sides of the succulent stem. Most succulents belong to one of two categories – summer growers (winter dormant) and winter growers (summer dormant). Common Winter Dormant Succulents Winter dormant succulents are like animals that go into hibernation. Extreme heat and extreme cold will cause most succulents to go into survival mode (aka… dormancy) until things get back to a more tolerable temperature. When a “summer growing” succulent starts its dormant period in the winter, it enters a survival mode and stops growing actively, therefore, doesn’t need a lot of water. However, during the hottest days of summer (July/August in the US), they will go through a mini Yes, plants other than succulents have dormancy periods. It’s also a modern and practical decor accent for your home and office. Succulents are resilient and can look beautiful all year round, but in fact, there are some times of year they become inactive. This method is suggested by Oklahoma State University and has been used to test many kinds of plants. In fact, the caring works for putting the succulent inside is more a task of maintenance. Navigating Winter Dormancy. They put off so many new chicks you won’t know what to do with them. This is often stimulated by unfavorable changes in environments such as extreme temperature, dryness, etc. (If you’ve ever placed yours in a dim corner and watched it slowly turn to mush, you understand). Perfect for gifts as well! Succulent dormancy is kind of a weird topic because plants go in and out of dormancy based on a bunch of different factors, but for some reason, the succulent world has divided succulents into two groups- summer dormant and winter dormant. Once the weather begins warming up you’ll want to begin watering slowly but increasingly. Just right will make them happy and they’ll grow! Here’s our guide on winter succulent care. When tender succulents have gone dormant for the winter they don’t need as much water. Orostachys is a charming winter succulent that deserves to be more widely grown. Here are 12 winter houseplants that can withstand everything winter throws at them. It’s important to note that when succulents go “dormant”, that it’s more of a slow growing period than a true dormancy. As I’ve previously mentioned, this is a generalization. We know how unfriendly winter can be, and your cactus needs to be taken care of with caution. Slow down a bit and let things get back to a more normal state before watering again. Know more about these Cold Hardy Succulents for Winters this article. Some species within a genus may be different. The soil shouldn’t be soggy or else it will promote rot. Succulents go dormant during the winter months so they require even less watering during this time. It will tell you what it needs, and when it needs it. Anything and everything about succulents, a.k.a. They are beautiful, drought tolerant, and can be a great plant for new gardeners. Powered by Shopify. Like most plants, succulents go dormant for a portion of the year. Tip 1: Not all Succulents are dormant in the winter. Some succulents growing season is in the winter months which is contrary to what is normally stated when talking about dormancy. Let’s bring it all back to the comment from the beginning of this post… Your succulent will tell you when it’s growing. This simply refers to the minimum temperatures a succulent can tolerate. During the warm, but not too hot months of spring they get large and their leaves will be plump and firm. You’ll definitely want to keep these succulents protected from extreme heat as much as possible and limit the amount you water during the summer. More importantly, if you grow your succulents indoors, they most likely never go dormant and you can continue to water them on the same schedule all year round. The range of temperatures succulents can tolerate is quite impressive, but not all species can handle the same temperatures. Close. I wanted to point out a few genera of succulents from each list above and point out why it makes sense in that particular category. Most succulent species tend to thrive in the temperate weather of the spring and fall. Bringing … Water very little. Winter is the season of growth for some succulents, though, and they need water, food, and even pruning. As you might imagine, a succulent grown in Phoenix, AZ is going to need different care than a succulent growing in New York City, NY. It’s not recommended to repot your succulents during their dormancy and disturb their “deep sleep”. Indoor care for succulent plants in winter is primarily about lighting. For the majority of succulents, dormancy happens in winter, but some like Aeoniums are dormant in summer. On the contrary, winter growers are those that grow actively in the cold of winter and slow down in the summer. Shorter days, cooler temps, and dimmer indoor light sends succulents into winter dormancy. You can remove your succulents from the pot to see if their roots look shriveled, dry or mushy. Interestingly, both Echeverias and Sempervivums will thrive during spring and fall when temperatures are more temperate. Is your succulent dormant over winter? Most varieties go dormant in winter and are frost-tender, meaning they can’t handle temps below 32 degrees F. Winter Conditions That Damage Succulents These common winter conditions can lead to damage or death for dormant (not actively growing) succulents: soggy soil (causes roots to rot) Even succulents considered to be “summer growers” will slow down growth during the hottest months of the year. Check out this dormancy table below to get a rough idea of the dormant period for different succulent species. Throughout the year, they open their form, close it and develop more or less coloring in response to environmental stresso rs. Dormancy is a period in plants when their growth, and physical activity are temporarily slowed down. Most succulents will continue their active growth so long as the prevailing conditions are favorable. If you found this article interesting, share it with your succulent loving friends!And get a free plant when your friends make an order. The amazing thing about succulents is they are find their way into gardens all over the world. However, if it never really goes into survival mode it will just keep growing and taking in water. However, some are actively growing and will need more attention. Sign up here! It’s different for “winter growing” succulents—they go dormant in the heat of summer but still need water during this time to help their roots remain cool and prevent the leaves from drooping. If it’s dead, the branch will bend easily and the insides look dry. With fluctuations in temperature, most succulents will go through phases where they grow less (dormancy) or grow more (actively growing). "fat plants," welcome here! Sleeping plants do not need food. That is the #1 thing you should learn to recognize. Succulents are generally opportunistic growers. Limp, dull and wrinkled? Now that your succulents are inside, it’s time to start taking care of them! Winter Dormant Succulents Summer Dormant Succulents; Adenium: Aeonium: Aloinopsis: Aloe: Agave: Crassula: Echeveria: Gasteria: Euphorbia: Haworthia: Mangave: Kalanchoe: Notocactus: Peperomia: Schlumbergera: Sansevieria: Sempervivum: Sedeveria: Tillandsia: Senecio This is part of their survival mechanism for enduring a harsh or arid season. Sempervivum variety stressed red from cold temperatures. Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you make a purchase through these links. Two Echeveria varieties with Sedum dasyphyllum mixed in. Although most of them are partially dormant. Baja_Costero Nov 26, 2020 10:14 PM CST . Echeveria don’t mind some heat, but definitely can’t handle extended freezing temperatures. Whereas others are dormant in summer, like Kalanchoe and Aloe. This means that some succulents are active during winter. We love succulents for their supposed easy-care instructions but, heads up, they do need a bit of natural light to survive. That, in essence, is the art of horticulture.”. Some winter dormant succulents include: agave, ceropegia, echeveria, euphorbia, sempervivum and tillandsia Moderator. https://succulentsbox.com/blogs/blog/succulent-dormancy-101 This is why succulents grown indoors can be watered at nearly the same rate year round. Overwintering Succulents Indoors. Also, you can click on the names of the succulents in the table to learn more about species in that particular genus. Due to the sheer number of species, it’s difficult to list out all the winter dormant vs summer dormant plants. This article including the dormancy table above serves as a general point of reference giving you some preliminary information on succulent dormancy. And get a free plant when your friends make an order. Like most plants, succulents won’t grow at the same rate all year round. At least keep an eye on things so your newly indoor succulents don’t get too dry. When a succulent is dormant, it’s trying to survive, not grow. Echeverias are more tender and can go dormant at a higher temperature. Plants sense consistently rising/falling temperatures and act accordingly. Now that we’ve laid some groundwork… Let’s get to an actual outline of summer vs. winter growers. It's not recommended to repot your succulents … (Any succulents near vents/heaters will dry out more quickly than others. While succulents may go dormant in the fall/winter to avoid the cold, they may also go dormant in the summer to protect themselves from hot, dry conditions. For that matter, winter dormant succulents may not go dormant if the weather remains mild or they are brought indoors. keep them happy. Especially with non-dormant succulents, fluorescent lighting will help plants grow healthy and unstressed. Kinda like a bear, right?! Simply pick a small branch and bend it sharply. But If the succulent is alive, it will be green and feel moist underneath. Summer dormant/ Winter Grower succulents You may have heard that some varieties of succulent are active in the winter, and therefore will need more frequent watering at this time. Succulents that are dormant in the winter will actively grow during the spring, summer, and fall months. While these plants tend to like things warmer than some of their other succulent friends, they still don’t like the extreme heat and will shut down to stay alive. However, during the coldest parts of the winter (December/January in the US) they will go through a mini dormancy. Partly dormant – the plant is still growing but a slower rate. It hinders the growing process of plants and freezes them out. The first method is to do Take a look at my post on succulent identification to get help identifying your succulents. In fact, most experts agree that succulents are “opportunistic growers”–meaning they will grow when conditions are right, and slow down when they’re not ideal. Remember that cold weather means succulent soil stays wet longer, and will not need to be watered as frequently. 3,277 other succulent lovers also enjoyed this article in the last 30 days. Seasonal succulent care goes beyond a succulent dormancy table. Sempervivums are cold hardy, can tolerate frost, and might go dormant at below freezing temperatures. Summer growers are succulents that grow in the hot months of summer and become dormant in the winter. Aeoniums are a classic example, as are Haworthia, Kalanchoes, Senecios, Portucalaria and Crassula. The rule of thumb is to pay close attention to the condition of your plants to determine their needs and, Learn more about how to nurture and enjoy many gorgeous succulents and clever decoration tips with our newsletter. When a succulent goes into dormancy, it will minimize metabolism activity to conserve energy until the environmental conditions get better. Otherwise, in most cases, you don’t even need to water it at all and just leave it alone until its growing season comes around. Overwintering Succulents How to keep succulents happy during the cold winter months Where you live makes a big difference when it comes to the well-being of your succulents in winter. Click here to get access to my free Succulents for Beginners course! There are going to be exceptions, for sure, but the majority of succulents will really thrive in more mild temperatures. Winter Dormancy. which succulents will grow best where you live, What soil will help your succulents thrive, How to water succulents the right way to prevent an untimely death for your plants :). For a succulent with no branch, you can try to scratch the stem. The temperatures at which succulents go dormant vary depending on the species. Most succulents have an “opportunistic dormancy”, that is the ability to go dormant when it is advantageous to do so. Haworthia Zebra is the best succulent for beginner, Why dry propagation is the best propagation method for beginners, Key reminders to grow succulents in full sun. to check its roots. Tip #4: Sunlight. Remember that cold weather means succulent soil stays wet longer, and will not need to be watered as frequently. During the winter months some succulents, like Euphorbia and Pachypodium, can slip into dormancy due to lower light. Succulents - Find out if you are Winter or Summer dormant! Cactus and, since you’re a succulent lover, giant Agave. So dear to my heart, as it’s one of the few succulents that survives harsh winters in Utah. This method is suggested by Oklahoma State University and has been used to test many kinds of plants. If the succulent is alive, it will be green and feel moist underneath. Another way to tell if your succulent is dead or just need some extra rest is, This article including the dormancy table above serves as a general point of reference giving you some preliminary information on succulent dormancy. Traditionally, succulents might be divided into categories of “Winter Dormant” and “Summer Dormant”. The key to keeping succulents happy is watering only when the soil is dry and paying attention to the leaves. Click here to learn about individual types of succulents. Or fully dormant – the plant has completely stopped growing. Learn more about how to nurture and enjoy many gorgeous succulents and clever decoration tips with our newsletter. All are exceptional winter succulents and strong performers. Succulents - Find out if you are Winter or Summer dormant! Winter Watering for Succulents Now that your succulents are inside, it’s time to start taking care of them! These can survive most of the winter without being watered, assuming it rains and snows somewhat frequently. Even though the plant might look dead, the roots are healthy. Read the Guide to Dormancy to determine which succulents are dormant in the winter and which ones are in their active growth phase. Therefore stop watering them once the temperature drops and the days become shorter. You don’t pay any extra but the commissions help us provide free information on the website. Here’s our guide on winter succulent care. These winter succulents form attractive, dense mats of large rosettes (“hens”) surrounded by many smaller ones (“chicks”) in a wide array of colors. This just means they've stopped growing, but evapotranspitation is still happening, so you'll need to water them. When you think about the desert heat, what comes to mind? Click here to purchase. The rule of thumb is to pay close attention to the condition of your plants to determine their needs and Log in sign up. Sunlight – We notice when days are getting longer or shorter and this tells us what season is coming. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. So while you may see growth year round, the specific growing season of … Let's sign up! Winter dormant succulents can last without water for a long time (nearly whole 3 months depending on the climate) while summer dormant succulents should be watered every now and again as they can dry out too much during heatwaves. This is often stimulated by unfavorable changes in environments such as extreme temperature, dryness, etc. However, some are actively growing and will need more attention. The list below can be a good starting point. Given strong light and warm temps (and a reasonable amount of water), very few cacti or succulents will actually enter a hard winter dormancy, let alone require one. User account menu. They still take a little break when it gets really hot (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit) and aren’t too keen on growing during the winter. When a succulent goes into dormancy, it will minimize metabolism activity to conserve energy until the environmental conditions get better. Another way to tell if your succulent is dead or just need some extra rest is Succulent dormancy for heat is a different story. I have an entire post on dormancy that includes a list of which succulents are winter growers and which are summer growers. Succulents for the most part go through a dormant or hibernation phase in the winter, where all they want is for you to leave them alone. You need to know when to expect their active growth season as well as dormant period to adjust appropriate succulent care techniques. This means it won’t take up as much water and prefers to be left alone. This Aeonium Aureum is summer dormant and while it … In this article you’ll learn not only the active growing seasons of specific succulents, but also what changes you need to make to keep your succulents happy year round. When fall arrives, with it’s cooler temperatures, they’ll open up a little more. If you notice that your succulents and cacti stop growing, don’t take this as a sign that they need more water. On the contrary, winter growers are those that grow actively in the cold of winter from November to February and slow down in the summer.