Now that we’ve laid some groundwork… Let’s get to an actual outline of summer vs. winter growers. Succulents Box. In case of succulents with caudex like Adenium Desert Rose, they often lose leaves during dormancy but their caudex still looks healthy and plump. Succulents are resilient and can look beautiful all year round, but in fact, there are some times of year they become inactive. Copyright 2013-2020 Succulents and Sunshine LLC. Let’s dive in to what that actually means for succulents. In fact, the simple act of keeping your succulents indoors is mitigating, or possibly negating entirely, the effects of dormancy. … Press J to jump to the feed. If the succulent is alive, it will be green and feel moist underneath. Get help identify your succulents and see which ones will grow well for you! Here are 12 winter houseplants that can withstand everything winter throws at them. Let’s dive in to what that actually means for succulents. In some rosette succulent species, the rosettes might contract. During their growing phase, succulent plants like regular watering. On the contrary, winter growers are those that grow actively in the cold of winter and slow down in the summer. When a succulent is dormant, it’s trying to survive, not grow. That’s the reason why succulents are known as “opportunistic growers”. Succulents that are dormant in the winter will actively grow during the spring, summer, and fall months. 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. You need to know when to expect their active growth season as well as dormant period to adjust appropriate succulent care techniques. Kind of like Goldilocks… not too hot, not too cold. They have adapted to our northern hemisphere cycle & are dormant from November through February. This is often stimulated by unfavorable changes in environments such as extreme temperature, dryness, etc. However, if it never really goes into survival mode it will just keep growing and taking in water. Just right will make them happy and they’ll grow! Especially with non-dormant succulents, fluorescent lighting will help plants grow healthy and unstressed. Echeveria don’t mind some heat, but definitely can’t handle extended freezing temperatures. Baja_Costero Nov 26, 2020 10:14 PM CST . Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. They just aren’t fans of the heat. Cut back if it seems to be slowing down. Traditionally, succulents might be divided into categories of “Winter Dormant” and “Summer Dormant”. 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. Winter is mostly a tough season for plants, especially succulents. However, now all succulents are equal. Navigating Winter Dormancy. In fact, the caring works for putting the succulent inside is more a task of maintenance. If you have Aeoniums outdoors during extremely hot temperatures, they’ll appreciate some water to keep their roots cool. Like the forum member said, your succulents will tell you what they need… you just have to know what to look for. 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. Succulents - Find out if you are Winter or Summer dormant! Let’s bring it all back to the comment from the beginning of this post… Your succulent will tell you when it’s growing. The soil shouldn’t be soggy or else it will promote rot. However, during the coldest parts of the winter (December/January in the US) they will go through a mini dormancy. They are likely focusing on developing deeper roots so they can better withstand heat and drought. While succulents can be placed into general categories of summer growers or winter growers, this is not a hard fast rule. You can give them some water every 1 to 2 months and allow the soil to dry out between watering. Is it unhealthy for these types of plants to not go dormant at all? This should help you determine which plants you own fit into these categories. 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, This article including the dormancy table above serves as a general point of reference giving you some preliminary information on succulent dormancy. This Aeonium Aureum is summer dormant and while it … Know more about these Cold Hardy Succulents for Winters this article. Most succulent species tend to thrive in the temperate weather of the spring and fall. Most succulents can also be put into two categories - summer growers and winter growers. Succulent plants, like all plants, have seasonal growth patterns. While these succulents will do just fine in temperate climates, they do most of their growing when temperatures get warmer. With fluctuations in temperature, most succulents will go through phases where they grow less (dormancy) or grow more (actively growing). © 2020 Winter Dormancy. During this time, they require even less water. Anything and everything about succulents, a.k.a. In fact, dormancy is most commonly observed in temperate plants (which most succulents are not). Many succulents are dormant in the winter so they won’t need as much water. But you also need to become familiar with your succulents, your growing area, and your tendency to “over love” or “neglect” your succulents. Every winter trees drop their leaves. Here’s our guide on winter succulent care. You’ve likely realized by now that knowing what varieties of succulents you own in important in keeping them healthy year round. Indoor care for succulent plants in winter is primarily about lighting. Most succulents belong to one of two categories – summer growers (winter dormant) and winter growers (summer dormant). Sempervivum heuffelii Bros is an outstanding variety, hardy to zone 4 (-30°F / -34° C). Succulents that are dormant in the winter will actively grow during the spring, summer, and fall months. If you’ve read many articles on this site, you’ll know I stress paying attention to your succulents. Along with the trees, they’ll display some stunning color changes before they hibernate for the winter. 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. The key to keeping succulents happy is watering only when the soil is dry and paying attention to the leaves. Shorter days, cooler temps, and dimmer indoor light sends succulents into winter dormancy. It hinders the growing process of plants and freezes them out. https://succulentsbox.com/blogs/blog/succulent-dormancy-101 For the majority of succulents, dormancy happens in winter, but some like Aeoniums are dormant in summer. Once temperatures start getting over 90 degrees Fahrenheit you’ll notice these hens and chicks start to tighten up. Remember that cold weather means succulent soil stays wet longer, and will not need to be watered as frequently. Yellowing, translucent and about to burst? The biggest discussion around succulent dormancy is when succulents are in need of more or less frequent watering. Let's sign up! For a succulent with no branch, you can try to scratch the stem. But Partly dormant – the plant is still growing but a slower rate. It's not recommended to repot your succulents … Different succulents grow at different rates within a year depending on the temperature. 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