It might be very frustrating if your succulent is not growing at all, even though you take good care of it. There can be different reasons why your succulent is not growing, which we will discuss in this post, along with tips on how to increase and promote growth in succulents.
The main reason why your succulent is not growing is because succulents are slow growers. Other reasons include dormancy period, under or over watering, pests, lack of nutrients in the soil, rotting roots.
Reason 1: Underwatering
Even though succulents are greatly adapted to dry climates, they still need water to thrive and grow. Succulents that are not well watered will start shriveling, and can even become dry and crispy.
In general, succulent leaves should be plump when well-watered, and will plumpness when lacking water. Also, if a succulent is under watered, it will start getting droopy and wilting.
There is no universal schedule on watering succulents. It will all depend on the season, type of your succulent, the pot it’s planted in, soil and much more.
For example, succulents potted in a large container will need less water, because water in it will evaporate much more slowly. If a pot is deep, it will evaporate much more slowly.
Generally, you will need to water a succulent once in 10-14 days in summer, and once in around 3-4 weeks in winter. But this is a rough estimate and will depend on multiple factors. A great tool to help with watering schedules is a soil meter like this, which will tell you if soil is wet or dry.
Watering should be increased during growing season (generally early spring to autumn) and decreased in late autumn through winter. However, make sure to check your care sheets for your specific succulent.
Reason 2: Dormancy period
If your succulents are not growing, that could be because they not in an active growth at the moment. Or, that they have entered a dormancy state. Succulents start entering a dormancy period in the early autumn, when temperatures start to drop. Some succulents however grow during fall and winter (Christmas cactus and more).
It is important to note, that you should start watering your succulents less and less, beginning early fall to winter. In winter, succulents are almost not growing, so they don’t need much water at all.
Succulent cells can actually explode if you water them too much in winter. That’s because water expands in freezing temperatures. And too much water can rupture your plants’ cells.
Of course, some succulents are more resistant to frost than others. But in general, temperatures below 40 Fahrenheit (4 Celsius) are stressful for most succulent species. Check care guidelines for your succulent type and make sure to keep it indoors if it’s sensitive to cold.
If your temperatures don’t get too low in winter, you can keep your succulents outdoors. Most succulents can comfortably bear some frost, or below freezing temperatures for a few hours a day.
A great way to protect your succulents from frost in winter outdoors is covering them with a horticultural frost cloth like this. Make sure to hold down the cloth on all sides. Cloth shouldn’t made of plastic (no air exchange) and should preferably protect from heavy rain (to prevent waterlogged soil and therefore rotting).
Reason 3: Pests and diseases
If your succulent is not growing, it could be due to pest infestation or diseases. As a succulent grower, make sure to make a habit of checking your plants, their soil and roots once in a few weeks.
Check your plant for bugs and insects. There are different pests that can attack succulents and suck their juices, preventing growth and leading to plant death. Some pests especially aim at fresh growth. Pests can damage roots or stems, leading to serious issues.
For example, spider mites, small red bugs that suck out plant sap. Check the plant for thin webs and scars, which can indicate spider mites.
Thrips can also attack succulents and suck the sap. They are very hard to notice, especially nymphs. But adult thrips can be noticed flying around the plant.
Mealybugs will form a cottony substance on your succulents to aid them with hiding. Make sure check around the base and roots of the plant for mealybugs, which greatly affect succulent growth.
Succulent diseases will also prevent your succulent from growing properly, if at all. Please check for any mold, stem or root rot, brown or black spots (fungal infection), leaf scarring or corking. Nematodes (worms), for example, can lead to tissue swelling in succulents and distorted growth.
Root rot (soft and brown roots) is especially dangerous, and will prevent a succulent from receiving any water, causing the plant to collapse. For pest invasion in roots, check for any eggs/larvae in roots.
Most diseases and pests take some time to cause significant harm to a succulent. Not only they will make your succulent not grow properly, but will lead to a collapse of a whole plant. That’s why it’s important to examine your succulents regularly and treat any problems as soon as they arise.
Reason 4: Overwatering and rotting roots
Not only underwatering can prevent your succulent from growing properly, overwatering can do it too. Overwatering will lead to plant leaves turning yellow and soft, and falling off as a result.
What is more, roots constantly sitting in water will start rotting. A succulent with rooting roots cannot get proper nutrition and water into its cells. Rot can also spread to a succulent’s stem and make it brown.
If not taken care of early, it will lead to a plant’s death. Check your succulent’s roots – if you notice any soft and brown/black roots, it’s time to cut them and repot a plant. Soft (might be yellow too) and falling leaves will also indicate overwatering.
If your succulent’s roots are rotting, don’t water the plant for some time to let the soil dry out. Use disinfected scissors to cut all the affect roots and repot into new soil. Don’t water for a week after repotting, or it can make your succulent droopy.
If you tend to have problems identifying when to water your succulents, a simple soil meter like this can be a great help. Another great trick to help with watering your succulents is to place a stone or a few on the soil. If you check under a stone and see moisture, that means that it’s not time to water your succulent just yet.
Reason 5: Keeping your succulent in an area too cold or hot
If your succulent is not growing, it might that you are keeping it in a wrong spot with improper temperatures.
Most succulents prefer getting lots of sunlight, and lack of sunlight will affect your plant’s growth. However, keeping succulents in glass/under glass can have negative effects. Direct sunlight causes high impact rays and increased temperatures, if your plant is a glass container, for example.
Another rule is not to keep your plant nearby hot radiators in summer or especially winter. Overly high temperatures can lead to soil drying out too quickly. Same goes to air conditioners.
In summer, succulents need to get lots of light. But if you place your succulents somewhere too hot, your succulents will get scorched and might overheat.
In general, temperatures of over 86 Fahrenheit (30 Celsius) might cause your succulents to suffer from overheating. This in turn, can cause them to go into a dormant state. And a dormant state = no growth in succulents.
In winter, you should not keep your succulents in very cold conditions. This can lead to your succulent freezing; after which you won’t be able to save it.
Please make sure to check temperature and light requirements for your succulent species. Also, check if it’s frost or heat resistant/sensitive to determine where to keep your plant.
Reason 6: Lack of nutrients
If you underfeed your succulents, there will be poor to no growth. Signs that your succulent is lacking nutrients are yellowing of the plant and lack of growth and blooming.
Fertilizing schedules for succulents can differ, but make sure to per species recommendations. What is more, make sure to water your succulents regularly, because otherwise it won’t be able to get nutrients from dry soil.
While fertilizing is important, make sure not to overdo it. Over-fertilizing will lead to your succulents growing too fast, and producing soft tissues, vulnerable to rot and diseases.
Make sure to only use cacti and succulent fertilizers, like this one. They are specifically designed for these plants and are often weaker than general fertilizers. Make sure to only fertilize during growth season, never during winter.
Reason 7: Succulent is potted in a pot too small
If your succulent is potted in a small container and contained in a tight pot, it will restrict its growth. Succulents growing in overgrown pots take much longer to increase in size, and many growers use this to their advantage. That’s especially if coupled with lack of watering and feed.
As succulents grow, they put off many new roots that also need space. If you keep your succulent in a very small pot, its root will get tightly packed together. This succulent will stop growing altogether with lack of space.
You can know that your succulent has outgrown its pot by seeing distorted growth, roots coming out of the drainage holes and packed roots. To allow your succulent reach its full potential size, you need to repot it once a season or so. Pots however must not be too big, but only leave some space on the sides.
Reason 8: Lack of light
Lack of light will also lead to poor growth in succulents. Succulents needs lots of direct (some might need partial shade) to grow. This is especially important during growth season.
After dormancy period ends in spring, you need to provide more and more light to your succulents, otherwise they won’t grow. Make sure to do it gradually to prevent burns in your succulents. Succulents with thicker leaves are often more tolerant to harsher sunlight.
Reason 9: Succulents are generally slow growers
Succulents are generally slow growers, some species growing slower than others. Haworthia and Gasteria, for example, are smaller and slower growing succulents. Kalanchoe, on the other hand, can grow much faster.
In general, it can often take at least a 3-4 months to see any growth in your succulent. But this can be even longer if your succulent is still very small.
Most new cuttings/pups are slow growing in beginning, and then grow a bit faster. Growing succulents from seed will take even longer to see any growth difference. Succulent propagated from leaf/stem cuttings can also take longer to grow if they are brand new.
How to increase growth in succulents?
If you wish to make your succulents grow faster or grow new leaves, you need to provide them will the optimal living conditions. While succulents can adapt and survive in harsh environments, it doesn’t mean that these conditions are ideal for them to grow and thrive.
To make sure succulents grow faster or if your succulent is not growing new leaves or offsets, please follow tips below.
Fertilize regularly
Fertilize the soil regularly when succulents are actively growing (most grow through spring to mid fall). With lack of nutrients, they won’t grow very fast. Lower nitrogen and balanced phosphorus and potassium fertilizer like this (2-7-7, or 2-8-8) are ideal for succulents and cacti.
Repot regularly and remove offsets
Repot succulents regularly and use fresh soil. As your succulents grows, it puts off more roots and needs more space. If your succulent’s roots are coming out of the pot holes and roots are packed together, it is root bound.
Repot immediately to promote new growth. Fresh soil will provide nutrients and new pots will provide more space for roots and plant to grow. Repotting frequency will depend on each plant, so make sure to check roots.
In general, repot every 1-3 years, before the start of growing season (end of February or beginning of March). Don’t water your succulents 2 weeks before and after repotting.
What is more, make sure to remove offsets when repotting. Offsets will take lots of energy from the mother plant, slowing its growth. You can pot offsets separately to grow new plants from them.
Allow enough sun exposure or provide artificial lighting
Succulent require lots of sunlight to grow well. However, each succulent will have its own requirements regarding sun exposure. Most prefer lots of indirect bright light, while others – partial shade. If you grow succulents indoors, place them on the brightest windowsill if it requires lots of light.
In general, succulent require about 5-6 hours of bright indirect sunlight per day to grow and thrive in general. If you don’t get much sunlight at all, you might look into getting a plant grow light.
Choose fluorescent or LED light of around 60 watt, with a timer, like this one. Use for 10-14 hours per day at around 1.5 feet away.
Don’t overcrowd
Overcrowding succulents is not a good idea. If you plant too many succulents in one pot, there will be lack of space to grow roots. There also will be lack of nutrients and water for each plant. Succulents growing very close to each other might also block incoming sunlight.
Use correct soil and provide good ventilation
Make sure to use correct succulent soil when planting your succulents. Succulents require well-draining soil. Ventilation is also important for succulents.
That’s why various arrangements of succulents in terrariums and similar should be temporary (only use open terrariums as well). Keep your succulents away from hot radiators and air conditioning too.
Thank you for reading this post! To learn more about succulent care, please see this page.