While all succulents and cacti have different care needs, this grooming guide will serve as a starting point from which to establish your own plant-care routine.
Grooming your succulents isn't just about aesthetics; it's also about maintaining the health and vitality of your plants. Regular grooming ensures that dead leaves, pests, and other potential problems are dealt with before they can negatively affect your plants.
1. Removing Dead Leaves
Succulents naturally shed their lower leaves as they grow, which can pile up at the base of the plant. While this is normal, it's a good idea to remove the dead or decaying leaves to prevent any unwanted pests or mold from settling in. Simply pull away the dead leaves with your hands or gently prune them with small shears. Be careful not to damage any healthy parts of the plant.
2. Trimming Overgrown or Leggy Growth
Sometimes succulents can grow tall and "leggy" when they're not receiving enough light. This results in long, stretched stems with sparse leaves. To correct this, trim off the top part of the plant and replant it as a cutting. The remaining base may eventually produce new growth as well. This process helps the succulent maintain a more compact and healthy appearance.
3. Pruning Rotting Parts
If parts of your succulent are starting to rot, it's crucial to act quickly. Remove the rotting sections immediately to prevent the rot from spreading. Use clean, sharp shears to make precise cuts, and ensure you cut back to healthy tissue. If a lot of the plant is affected, it may be necessary to restart the plant from a cutting.
4. Dusting the Leaves
Succulent leaves can collect dust over time, especially indoors. Use a soft brush or cloth to gently dust off the leaves, allowing the plant to photosynthesize efficiently and stay healthy. For fuzzier plants like Echeveria or Sempervivum, use a delicate makeup brush to avoid damaging the leaves.
5. Cleaning Up Around the Base
It’s easy to overlook the soil and pot around your succulent, but keeping the area clean is important for your plant's health. Remove fallen leaves, debris, or any pests that might have gathered around the base of the plant. Regularly check for insects like mealybugs that hide in the soil or under dead leaves.
6. Removing Offsets and Pups
Many succulents produce offsets or "pups" around their base. If you want to propagate them, gently remove these pups with a clean knife or twisting motion and plant them in a separate pot. If you'd prefer your succulent to focus on its main growth rather than offsets, removing the pups early is beneficial.
7. Replacing Old Soil
Over time, succulent soil can become compacted or depleted of nutrients. Replacing the soil every year or two ensures that your succulent has a fresh, well-draining medium to grow in. Be sure to use a mix specifically designed for succulents, such as one containing perlite, coarse sand, and organic matter for proper drainage.
The TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read) Summary
Regular grooming helps your succulents stay healthy and look their best. Remove dead leaves, trim overgrown stems, dust off leaves, and clean around the base to keep your plants thriving.
The Next Steps
Now that you've learned about grooming your succulents, it’s time to apply these tips and keep your plants looking their best! Check out our Guide to Succulent Safety, or head back to The Ultimate Succulent Care Guide!