How to Grow Outdoor Succulents (Tips to Make Your Plants Thrive) (2024)

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Co-authored byChai Saechaoand Hannah Madden

Last Updated: August 25, 2021References

1. Yes, especially if you live in a temperate climate. Succulents thrive in warmer temperatures, but they’ll grow outdoors in any region at some point during the year. If you live in a colder climate where the temperature regularly dips below 40°F (4°C), plant your succulents in containers so you can move them inside during the harsher weather.^[1]

   • If you live in a cold environment, go for Sedum, Stonecrop, Sempervivum, or Promethium succulents. They tolerate the cold much better so they won’t die off during a frost.

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1. Regular soil mixed with gravel to promote drainage. Succulents aren’t super picky about their soil type, especially when they’re outside. If you have soil that isn’t super well-draining, you can mix in gravel and small rocks to add air pockets and drainage to the area. If your soil is well-draining (you don’t notice any standing water after rainfall), don’t worry about adding gravel.^[2]

   • The only soil type that succulents do not like is clay soil. It’s not well-draining, so their roots tend to get waterlogged.

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   Plant them in rock gardens or flower beds for ground cover. Succulents make amazing landscape additions, and they can add a bit of color to a rock garden or rock wall. They’re pretty resilient plants, so they don’t need perfect conditions to flourish.^[3]

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   Plant them in containers if you want to move them around. If you live in a colder climate or you plan on reorganizing your outdoor space, containers are probably a good option for you. Small containers can be lifted and taken inside easily, while large containers are eye-catching and beautiful.^[4]

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   Fill a shallow container with potting mix and gravel. Purchase a large, shallow container with a drainage hole on the bottom. Pick up a bag of potting mix from your local gardening store and fill up your container about 3/4 of the way full with it. Top it off with some gravel and use your hands to mix it all together.^[5]

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   Add 5 to 6 succulents together in the container. Succulents grow best in a cluster. Gently take the succulents out of their nursery pots and bury the roots in the soil, leaving the base and the leaves exposed. Surround your largest succulent with the smaller ones until the soil is mostly covered.^[6]

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   Give the succulents a good watering. New plantings need to be watered quickly or else they won’t take to the soil. Grab a hose or a watering can and water your succulents until the soil is moist.^[7]

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1. They like at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Succulents are desert plants, meaning they’re used to the harsh sun. Try to set them in a sunny spot where they can soak up a lot of rays throughout the day.^[8]

   • Some succulent variants need a little less sun. If you notice black spots or a white hue on the leaves of your succulent, it might be getting sunburnt. You can pull it into the shade for the hottest part of the morning and then let it sun itself during the afternoon.
   • Succulents that have waxy, glossy leaves usually need indirect sunlight, while the ones that are more textured usually prefer brighter light.^[9]

1. They prefer temps between 40 and 90°F (4 and 32°C). Any colder than that, and you should probably take them inside. If your temperature is pushing 100°F (38°C) or above, your succulents could get sunburnt, so you should move them inside as well.^[10]

   • Succulents prefer nighttime temperatures of 45 to 50°F (7 to 10°C).

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1. Once every couple of weeks. Overwatering is a huge problem for succulents, and it’s one of the number one ways they get killed. When you head out to water your plants, touch the soil with your finger. If it’s still moist, wait a full day and then head out to check it again. If the soil is dry, you can give your plants some water.^[11][12]

   • Aim the water at the soil, not the leaves. When succulents get water on their leaves, it can promote rot.
   • Always err on the side of underwatering your succulents, rather than overwatering them.^[13]
   • Succulents need more water during the spring and summer when they’re growing than they do during the fall and winter when they’re dormant.

1. Yes, during the growing season. Usually, that’s between March and October (or during the spring and the summer). Pick up a bottle of standard houseplant fertilizer and spray it on the soil if it’s a liquid or mix it into the soil if it’s a granular product. You can do this once a month until the growing season is over.^[14]

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   Overwatering. It’s the number one way that succulents die. If the leaves on your succulents get mushy or spongy, hold off on watering them for at least a week until they dry out again.^[15]

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   Lack of sunlight. If your plants aren’t getting enough sun, they’ll start to lose their color and their blooms. If you notice your succulent turn pale or light green, move it to a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight every day.^[16]

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   Mold. This usually means that too much water is getting on the leaves of the succulent. If you notice black or white spots on the leaves of your plant, be sure you’re watering the soil, not the top of the succulents. Avoid using spray bottles to water them, and make sure the soil is completely dry before giving them more.^[17]

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