How to Salvage a Lackluster Succulent

The beauty of succulents is undeniable. They’re relatively foolproof, they look beautiful, they’re compact, and they’re easy to show off virtually anywhere. Whether you’ve got the greenest of thumbs or you’ve barely glanced a planter’s way, you can be confident in your abilities to nurture and nourish a succulent with success.

Of course, no one is perfect — and at some point, everyone at every stage of gardening will experience the decline of a succulent. It’s important to remember that this doesn’t necessarily signal the demise of the plant. As easy as they are to maintain, succulents are also fairly straightforward to salvage in many cases. Here’s what you should know.

How to Determine if Your Succulent Needs Help

First, it’s helpful to understand what sets a healthy succulent apart from one that could benefit from some extra TLC. The most obvious sign is a change in the condition of the leaves. When they’re unhealthy, they may appear translucent instead of their usual rich tone. Black dots may form both on the leaves and the stem as a result of rot formation. They may also feel soft to the touch and, in some cases, take on a mushy texture. What’s more, leaf loss is common. But what does this indicate? It’s specifically a sign that the succulent was subject to more water than it needed.

By contrast, some succulents don’t get enough of the moisture they need to thrive. Once depleted of this vital resource, they’ll begin to display clear signs of dehydration. Among them are dry leaves, which can even shrivel up as the problem worsens. The appearance of the succulent in its entirety will eventually change as it begins to wilt unhealthily. There may also be a layer of dead leaves collected at the base of the plant. The drier it becomes, the worse it will look, with a dry bottom and flat leaves bereft of their typical plump texture.

What to Do to Save Your Lackluster Succulent

Once you’ve determined the reason for the problem, you can easily treat the problem. If your plant is overwatered, abstain from watering it for a few weeks. You want to give it some time for the moisture to evaporate and the plant to begin the drying process. Test the soil in about a week by inserting your fingertip about an inch deep. If it feels dry, you can lightly water the plant again.

It's also helpful to place the succulents in the path of sunlight to speed up the drying process. If this process doesn’t do the job and the soil still feels damp, you can try removing the succulent from the soil altogether. Set it in the shade so it dries, then put it in a new pot with a properly draining potting mix. Depending on how badly it’s damaged, you may be able to salvage your succulent by removing any mushy leaves, allowing the remainder to dry, then repotting it in fresh potting mix.

If your plant is underwatered, you’re generally in a better position to save it. All you need to do is water it thoroughly. Once should be enough, but one that’s more dried out might require another watering session. Take your time, and avoid overwatering, or you could end up going overboard in an effort to quickly revive the plant. Going slowly is always best since you can easily add more water each time.

With some regular care and attention, you can learn how to identify problems associated with your succulents and give them a new lease on life — whether they’ve been severely overwatered or could benefit from a little extra moisture.