If you want to grow succulents indoors, you’ll need a really bright location, such as a windowsill. A generous amount of water once their soil is … They are mostly brightly colored when under sunlight with colors like pink, red, and purple. This tropical cacti does not do well in full sunlight and need protection from intense afternoon sun. The plant needs a transition period. Succulents are very opportunistic plants, and when the conditions are right for them they will continue to grow. There’s a notion that all succulents need sunlight all the time, when in fact, there are many varieties that thrive more in the shade, so much so that constant exposure to UV rays can wilt them. These plants need to be watered when the soil is dry. This means that indoor succulents need gradual exposure to direct sunlight to allow them to adjust to the new environment. How to look after succulents. 2 How much sunlight does a cactus need? All plants need sunshine, but they cannot all handle the same amount of sun. Remember, succulents are used to living in harsh environments, often under full sunlight. If sun exposure terms for plants like full sun or indirect sunlight are confusing you, you are not alone! While they appreciate a lot of light (and very few survive in full shade), most succulents need sun protection, especially if the temperature hits the 90-degree-mark, or if they’re small. But determining how much light a specific plant needs involves a number of variables. But remember to make the transition from low light to direct sunlight slowly as sunburn will cause ugly damage to the leaves. Here are the light requirements of some succulent plants. You can also opt for a … Their thick, fleshy leaves and enlarged roots allow for them to retain water so do not need watering as frequently as other plants. 4 Where to plant cactus? How much sunlight do succulents need? As well as being an attractive addition to your home, succulents require very little fuss. Why do Succulents need Sun. Make sure to check if your specific succulent needs a lot of light and if so, put it on a windowsill with full sun exposure. 5 Cacti that don't need sun. Fortunately, there are a large number of succulents that do just great in low light conditions. Alternately, you can shift a succulent outside during spring and summer. But, make sure you don't confuse low light with no light. Kalanchoe. OR DIE?! Succulents do need sunlight but they cannot withstand full sun throughout the day. It will still need sunlight to keep it's compact shape, and a fast draining soil to stay dry. You need to protect them by providing shade. Succulents normally grow in a temperature range of 60 to 90 degrees F. Overexposure of both indoor and outdoor succulents can cause sunburn to their leaves. Q. Most, in an indoor setting, will crave the brightest light possible, especially during winter in northern climates. Again these indoor succulents also need some 6 hours of sunlight and they can’t be under house arrest all the time. The general rule of thumb to look for indoor succulents is to choose species that are generally green and won’t change color even when “stressed”. We’ve said it a hundred times before, and we’ll say it a hundred more: baby succulents need bright, indirect sunlight to thrive. 7 Conclusion: Do cactus need sun? However, they require a lot of sunlight to thrive. This way the plant will be able to endure the hotter environment. Generally, succulents need to be exposed to sunlight for at least half the day for flowering to take place. Some succulents like zebra haworthia are more sturdy. The exact amount of sunlight will vary according to the species. Remember, succulent and cactus like Sun. But what does that mean, exactly? Genus Tillandsia – 800 lux. So to begin with, the green ones are much better. So water them when you touch the soil and feel that its bit dry. Succulents do not need moisture rich soil. Do succulents need sun? There are a few succulents that require less sunlight, but most of the succulents require all the sunlight you can give them. The minimum light intensity for cacti and succulents should be between 1,500 and 3,000 lux. You need to keep that in mind while you aim for that golden 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Sometimes a lengthy summer holiday in the sun may be all that’s needed. Shedding (Sun)Light on Indoor Succulents. And how the heck do you pick the best spot in your house for your succulents? With the varying levels of sunlight exposure come varying temperatures. Like succulents with bright colors are not the best ones to try indoors as they need some direct sun and don’t make a great indoor plant. When it comes to the world of succulents, there are literally thousands of different types, ranging from succulents who need a lot of light, to succulents that don't need much at all. Water: succulents generally do not need much water as they store lot of it in its leaves. They adapt well to harsh outdoor conditions like excess heat from the sun, strong winds, low humidity, and others. In general, succulents need about 6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight to achieve the best growth. As they’re native to desert and arid areas, most of them don’t grow well indoors or in a shady outdoor space of your garden. Trying to accommodate all your sun-worshipping succulents can lead to overcrowding in prime spots like sunny window sills. In general, it’s safe to assume that most succulents will do well with as much sunlight as possible. Place them near a south- or east-facing window. Succulents are a great option for a beginner because, not only do they need less light to survive, but they also need less water! Yes. But if they are planted in full sunlight then one should water more often as they absorb heat and will get dry much faster. Shedding (Sun)Light on Indoor Succulents. Still, succulents are versatile plants, there’re species that love sunlight and can stand heat up to 50F while others can live well outdoor or indoor. Interesting question and one that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no… Let’s see what we mean by this. 7.1 Share this: 7.2 Like this: 7.3 You May Be Interested In: It can take less than an hour of direct sunlight to damage some types of succulents. A lot of smaller succulent species evolved to grow in the shade cast by bigger plants or to live in rocky crevices. Some popular shade-loving varieties of succulents include Aloe and Haworthia. It requires filtered sunlight However, direct sunlight can also prove to be harmful to these plants, causing sunburn damage. While succulents generally do need plenty of bright sunlight, many can’t handle too much sun, as it can cause them to become sunburned. Prolonged exposure to intense sunlight and heat can even fry and kill a succulent. Despite widespread belief, most succulents do not thrive if blasted with the hottest temps and the fullest sun exposure. Or stretch?! Some are low light succulents. As a general rule, succulents need plenty of sunlight. Some succulents do well in direct sunlight; they flourish well in outdoor environments and require more than 8 hours of sunshine. Most people place succulents in their windows, and this has mixed effects. Imagine the desert environment. Of course,some succulents are frost tolerant, while many are of tropical origins and should not be allowed to go below about 50 F (10 C).The succulents that are commonly used as houseplants will do well at temperatures in the range of 50-80 F (10-27 C) that are typical of indoor environments. The plant looks great when planted on its own and should be pruned regularly to grow thick and full. They need sunlight exposure in the morning not in the afternoon. On the other hand, if there is not a lot of available light it is best to use a succulent variety that enjoys the shade. This means that sun-loving succulents will do great on a windowsill or in an area indoors that receives a lot or ample sunlight. Succulents are plants that love sunlight, daily maybe 2-3 hours of sunlight is fine for them, but if they are exposed to long hours of full direct sunlight they get a sunburn. The trailing indoor succulent plant produces long tendrils of small banana-like leaves. They do well in partial shade. The dragon tree, Dracena Deremensis – 600 lux. If you transfer an indoor succulent outside, do not directly bring the plant outside and expose under sunlight. I hope you get something from this post that you can apply to your succulents too. There are a couple of variables to consider with succulents and their dormancy periods - Indoors and Outdoors - which are explained here: Succulent Dormancy - Indoors. Place a dormant succulent in an area with at least three to four hours of bright light. A start to understanding how much light do succulents need is to mimic the conditions they are native to. The trailing plants are a must have for those who want to be extra creative with their indoor plants Credit: Etsy. How to Care for Succulents. So, at least 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight needed daily. Succulents are low maintenance and grow well in dry soil. The direction the window is facing also plays a large part in how much sunlight it receives. 1 Do cacti need sun? This is how to get the right lighting for succulents. Water requirements for succulents indoors. Succulents need less light during the winter than when they are actively growing during the summer. Sansevieria Trifasciata – 300 lux. By direct sunlight means, sun should be falling directly on the plant with out any obstruction or diversion from shade. If you are growing succulents indoors, make sure to place them near a south-facing window. If so, this question must have already popped up in your mind: do succulents need direct sunlight? In addition to the succulents listed with the other indoor plants that don’t need sunlight above, here are few you might want to try: Jade Plant; Zebra Cactus; Holiday Cacti; Burro’s Tail; Aloe; Ponytail Palm This is great, especially if you’ve been wanting to start your little succulent garden but don't have enough outdoor space for them, as these plants can easily grow indoors. These temperatures are important to keep track of. Sunlight levels change by season and during weather. Do you need special soil for succulents? They can grow quite large and live for a very long time. It all comes back to the conditions they evolved to thrive in. While some succulents grow leggy if grown indoors for long periods (Echeveria and Aeonium), others have evolved to thrive underneath other larger plants, so can deal with being inside in an airy spot. 3 Can a cactus get too much sun? Growing Tips. Succulents (and cacti) are native to dry, arid climates, so they prefer sandy, well-draining soils. If left under the scourging sun, there’s a high chance that the succulents will get burned and eventually die. What if they burn?! Light. And there are several types of slow-growing succulents that actually prefer lower light conditions. There are a few downsides though. Native to Madagascar, the most popular ones are small shrubs with thick succulent leaves that come in different shapes and forms. Their dessert ancestry makes them the perfect houseplant for anyone who forgets to water their plants on a regular basis. In fact, all plants do better indoors if they get more than the minimal amount of sunthat will keep them alive. Grow these 27 Low Light Succulents Indoors, or in a shady patch of your garden, they’ll survive without direct Sunlight!. This is the reason some succulents need plenty of sun, while others are low-light succulents. Bathing your plants in sunlight is best done in the morning because direct sun, especially in the afternoon, will cause the fleshy leaves to burn (1). Today, we're going to take a look at the top 10 low light succulents that you can grow in your home. 3/19/19 / By . Succulents and direct sunlight in their natural habitats. Another group of succulents has different needs—the orchid cacti, or the epiphytes, such as Christmas cactus and Epiphyllum.They live on tree branches in the wild, so they are more adapted to partial sun.But, with shorter winter days, give them at least a few hours of direct sun.. This same setting works during the warmer parts of the year. 5.1 Epiphytes; 5.2 Shade tolerant cacti; 6 What to do when a cactus becomes etiolated? It also works beautifully when put in a pot containing other succulent indoor plants.