Sometimes, our favorite homegrown succulents just refuse to show off their beautiful blooms during the growing season. If your plant is being a bit stubborn, it’s usually because it didn’t get a proper winter nap! For these exotic beauties, a dormant period is absolutely essential if you want to see a spectacular floral display later on. Here is how to give your plants the winter rest they deserve:
The Golden Rule for Succulents: Keep ’em Cool and Dry
In their native habitats, rain is incredibly rare during the winter months. To get these exotic survivalists motivated to produce flowers next season, we have to mimic those conditions. A successful winter dormancy for potted succulents is all about finding that perfect balance between dryness and steady, cool temperatures:
- From November through the end of February, move your succulent to a bright, cool spot.
- Ideally, the temperature should be about 10°F (5°C) cooler than where it sits in the summer.
- Water very sparingly—just enough so the soil doesn’t turn into a complete dust bowl.
- Stick to a strict no-fertilizer rule from late October until mid-March.
Adjust Your Watering to the Size of the Plant
Size matters when it comes to winter hydration! For large succulents, you can give them one last deep soak at the start of November and then pretty much ignore them until February. Smaller succulents, however, have less storage space in their tiny roots and leaves. You’ll want to give them just a tiny sip of water whenever the soil feels dry to the touch.
Pro Tip: Indoor heating can get really dry! To protect your plants from parched air, give the leaves a light misting with distilled or filtered water every now and then.
The Exceptions: Winter Bloomers and Hardy Varieties
Not every succulent follows the same calendar. Winter-blooming plants (like Poinsettias or Christmas Cacti) have their own rhythm. Their “nap time” actually starts in the spring! To help them bloom again for the next holiday season, keep them at around 60°F (15°C) for about six weeks starting in early spring.
Then there are the “tough guys”—hardy succulents that can stay outside year-round. While they can handle the frost, they hate being soggy. A simple DIY cover using clear Plexiglas will protect your stonecrops and cacti from freezing rain and snow. For these outdoor varieties, you should stop watering entirely from November through February.
