Just got a new plant and I’m definitely a beginner…I boug...
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 3 weeks ago
2
Best Answer
Welcome! Succulents are really fun once you get to know them. The main things to keep in mind with all succulents are Sunlight, Water, and Drainage.
Light: succulents love their sunlight, especially Echeveria. Your plant looks like an actual E elegans, which can handle full sunlight outdoors. If you want to move it outside, do so slowly. Keep it in a shady spot for about a week, then gradually transition it to a sunnier spot. Sunlight outside is a different beast compared to indoor sunlight. Your plant can get sunburned if you don't move it outside slowly (no worries if that happens, succulents are tough little things and it'll bounce back). I would recommend supplementing your indoor light with a strong grow light. I personally suggest investing in a Barrina T5 light: I use those for mine and have had fantastic results. Echeveria are hungry for light, and they need tons of it to stay compact.
Drainage: ALL succulents need good drainage in their soil to avoid wet feet. Getting a terracotta pot is a good start; 10/10 definitely get some perlite for your soil. I usually go for a 2:1 mixture of perlite:soil for mine. If you have the funds, Bonsai Jack gritty mix is also a top tier amendment for increased drainage. If not, that's totally fine, perlite will work. Definitely get a blend formulated specifically for cacti and succulents. Regular potting mixes hold way too much moisture and don't dry out quickly enough for most succulents.
Water: succulents *do* actually need water. They can be very thirsty plants, especially when it's hot outside. The frequency of watering is directly tied to the amount of sunlight and drainage your plant has. More light + a fast draining soil = higher watering frequency. Less light + slower draining soil = less water needed. Using the soak and dry method is a good starting point. Wait until the soil is dry all the way down and lower leaves are wrinkly, then drown the plant on watering day. Drown. It. Over watering has everything to do with watering frequency and nothing to do with the volume of water given. If you want fat leaves, you gotta give them enough water to plump them up. If in doubt, wait a couple of days before watering. A thirsty succulent is way easier to rehab than an overwatered one. I'll attach a picture of a dehydrated versus fully hydrated plant below. Same plant, different times of year, but the visual makes it easier to see the difference.
Light: succulents love their sunlight, especially Echeveria. Your plant looks like an actual E elegans, which can handle full sunlight outdoors. If you want to move it outside, do so slowly. Keep it in a shady spot for about a week, then gradually transition it to a sunnier spot. Sunlight outside is a different beast compared to indoor sunlight. Your plant can get sunburned if you don't move it outside slowly (no worries if that happens, succulents are tough little things and it'll bounce back). I would recommend supplementing your indoor light with a strong grow light. I personally suggest investing in a Barrina T5 light: I use those for mine and have had fantastic results. Echeveria are hungry for light, and they need tons of it to stay compact.
Drainage: ALL succulents need good drainage in their soil to avoid wet feet. Getting a terracotta pot is a good start; 10/10 definitely get some perlite for your soil. I usually go for a 2:1 mixture of perlite:soil for mine. If you have the funds, Bonsai Jack gritty mix is also a top tier amendment for increased drainage. If not, that's totally fine, perlite will work. Definitely get a blend formulated specifically for cacti and succulents. Regular potting mixes hold way too much moisture and don't dry out quickly enough for most succulents.
Water: succulents *do* actually need water. They can be very thirsty plants, especially when it's hot outside. The frequency of watering is directly tied to the amount of sunlight and drainage your plant has. More light + a fast draining soil = higher watering frequency. Less light + slower draining soil = less water needed. Using the soak and dry method is a good starting point. Wait until the soil is dry all the way down and lower leaves are wrinkly, then drown the plant on watering day. Drown. It. Over watering has everything to do with watering frequency and nothing to do with the volume of water given. If you want fat leaves, you gotta give them enough water to plump them up. If in doubt, wait a couple of days before watering. A thirsty succulent is way easier to rehab than an overwatered one. I'll attach a picture of a dehydrated versus fully hydrated plant below. Same plant, different times of year, but the visual makes it easier to see the difference.
@StoutCalathea46, @Charli3Plant gave a really great, detailed answer, nough said lol!