Fix succulent with damage leaves or stems with this step - by - step guide .

Blaine Moats

Maybe a favourite knock over your pottedsucculent plantor an outdoor succulent ’s leaf were injured by bright sun , pests , or another issue . Regardless of the cause , most succulent legal injury can be corrected and you may even be able-bodied to produce Modern plant from broken stems and dropped leaves . This step - by - step guide will help you assess the damage and doctor any case of succulent .

Succulent plants in mosaic pots

Credit:Blaine Moats

How to Save Damaged Succulents

The stairs you ’ll involve to take to compensate a damaged succulent will depart look on the eccentric of impairment and how much of the plant is affected . If your plant has a few rugged stems , you may just need to do a mo of pruning . But if the bulk of your succulent is badly damaged , a more aggressive treatment protocol may be in order .

Step 1: Assess the Damage

Determine the extent of the damage and what caused it to figure out how to deal it . When a flora sustains equipment casualty from something obvious like a crepuscule , it ’s gentle enough to start touch on the place . However , if you ’re not quite trusted why your succulent is dropping stems and foliage or exhibit other signs of distraint , you ’ll need to do a more thorough inspection to discover the cause .

Step 2: Prune Away Damage

Ragged breaks and tear on plant stem take longer to bring around than smooth cuts and they can allow your succulent moreexposed to disease . To avoid these issues , absent any broken or damaged theme section by make a unobjectionable , straight cut with a sharp , unsex knife or razor blade at the near leaf node .

droop and discolored leaves or leaves with visible pests may recover with treatment , but slimy , sunburned , torn , or holey leave should also be remove to give your plant more energy to heal . transfer leave with your fingers using a prompt , twisting motion usually do less damage to succulents and it ’s a better pick if you desire to propagate succulent leaves afterwards on . However , if needed , stubborn leave can also be removed with a razor brand .

If you desire to propagate the stem section you removed from your flora , make a clean cut at the foundation of each stem section with a razor blade . Then , set the stem cuttings in a warm , non-white topographic point for a few days and allow the cutting ends to callous over .

aloe and succulents in pots on wall

Credit:Dean Schoeppner

If you need to diffuse the leaves you removed from your plant life , inspect the leaves intimately . wilt , ugly , or tear leaves wo n’t propagate well , but leave-taking that are immobile , plump , and intact may be worth propagating . As with stem cuttings , respectable leaves should be allowed to callous over for a few days before extension to reduce the chances of hogwash .

Step 3: Treat for Pests

If you have noticed any plague on your plants , spray your succulents liberally with an organic soap orneem petroleum sprayin the evening , when lightsome levels are low . Be sure to deal both the top and undersides of each leaf and reapply the discourse every seven to 10 days until all signs of pestilence are gone .

Step 4: Repot if Needed

Unwieldy , top - dense succulent and plants that are plagued by root rot , sloughy soil , or extensive plague plague mayneed to be repotted . For right termination , choose a grass with drainage holes that ’s fitly sized for your plant . Then repot your works using a succulent or cactus potting premix that has plenty of perlite , moxie , or bark for quick drain .

If you have an especially top - heavy succulent , pick out a heavy pot and consider pruning or stake your plant to avoid broken root in the future tense .

Step 5: Allow Your Plant to Heal

Once you ’ve pruned aside damage leaves and shank — and repot your plant and treated for pests ( if needed)—care for your damage succulent as common . Cut succulent stems should cure over in a few days and eventually acquire new growth as long as your works get the lightness , water , and care it ask .

Step 6: Propagate Broken Stems and Leaves

Broken stems and tidy foliage take from damaged succulent can often be propagated to make young plant life . But propagation may also be the only way to salvage badly damaged succulent and industrial plant with austere cases of root hogwash . Just allow the foliage and stem cuttings you take from your plant to indurate over for a few days and thenpropagate your succulents in dirt or water .

Dean Schoeppner

How to Prevent Succulent Damage

While damage succulent can often be scavenge , it ’s honorable for your flora if you may avoid hurt in the first place . From lachrymation topic to accidental fall , here are some of the mostcommon causes of damaged succulentsand how to avoid them .

Wrong Location

Placing succulents on sturdy shelves and in areas with minimum dealings will cut the likelihood that your plants fall over and get broken . If your pets care to push your plants around , place succulents in a grow storage locker or use museum putty or a alike ware to anchor your flora mountain in place .

Under or Overwatering

While underwatering can cause succulents to overleap their leaves , overwatering can also lead to leafage drop and grow top - backbreaking plant that are more likely to snap off . Remember , succulents need less waterthan your average tropical houseplant , and theirwatering needs are further reduced in winter .

Too Much or Too Little Light

Providing succulents with enough light ensures your works develop potent and tidy stems that can stomach their increase . lowly light stratum , on the other hand , can make succulent staunch stretch and lean toward the light , increasing the chance of breakage .

Pot Choice

keep off keeping succulent in ill draining pots or in pots that are so small and lightweight that they topple over easily . or else , take wakeless terracotta mountain when you may and verify any growing container you choose has plenty of drain holes in the base .

Over-Fertilizing

Most succulent are light feeders that only involve to be fertilized slenderly during the growing time of year . Over - fertilizing these plants can lead to leaf discoloration , root tan , and top - heavy industrial plant that are prostrate to breakage .

Pests

Checking new plants over cautiously will help you quash mostpest issues . However , it ’s also a ripe idea to quarantine new plants before you fetch them into your home .