Echeveria Succulents: Care and Growing GuideTips for How to Fix a Stretched Succulent Plant that Grows Too Tall!
In this post, I'll show you how to fix Succulents that are already stretched out.
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I get panicked emails from readers who think their plants look different than they did.
They have become much taller and spread out.It's a common occurrence when you're growing Succulent indoors.
When they aren't getting the light they need, it's amazing how quickly they stretch.This is referred to as etiolation.
Some Succulents will stretch less than others.I want to give you care cards for the 5 best indoor Succulents that don't need a grow light to stay compact.There are essential tips to help your indoor plants thrive.The cards will be helpful if you click here.
When they aren't getting enough sunlight, Succulents stretch out.The succulent starts to turn and bend towards the light source.
The leaves are usually smaller and lighter in color.The lack of sunlight will cause the succulent to turn green or lose the intensity of it's original color.
The Echeveria 'Lola' is not as colorful as it was when I photographed it for the top dressings post.
The majority of this will happen indoors, but you will also find it outdoors when succulents are in too much shade.
While a tightly curled up succulent is getting plenty of sun, one that is flattening out or has its leaves spreading out is not getting enough.This is one of the earliest signs that your Succulent needs more light.
If they get adequate sunlight, Succulents will look better, but they will grow in low lighting.It will take a year or two for them to die in low light, even though they won't be as healthy or as good as they should be.
You can watch the video below to learn how to save your plants that are growing tall.
When a Succulent is stretched out, it won't be the same as it was before.Don't worry!
Use sharp scissors to cut off the top of the succulent.It is absolutely worth every penny.Leave at least an inch or two on the base.If you leave a few leaves, the base will absorb sunlight.
When I keep a few leaves on the stem, it takes less time to send out new stems.If the cutting is too tall for your liking, you can cut off some of the stem to make it shorter.
The base should be dry for a few days.Once the end of the cutting is calloused over, you can plant it in soil and begin watering it.
I've found that the amount of water that needs to be given to the plant is not much.Make sure the soil is well drained so the stem doesn't rot.You can learn more about propagation here.
Within a couple days, the cutting should start to put off the roots.When the roots are more established, you want to cut back on watering so it's on the same schedule.
New plants will be put off by the base within a few weeks.You can keep the same care for this plant that you did before cutting it.
At some point, the leaves on the base plant may fall off.This won't happen.
Don't be alarmed if they fall off.The leaves of the new rosettes will not be a problem.
If you have stretched out plants, you can try to promote new growth, but if you don't give the plants enough light, they will eventually get stretched.
If you want your plants to get more indirect sunlight, try to find an area where they can get it.You can add a grow light if you don't want to move them.
You want your plants to get as much sunlight as possible.This is difficult indoors.It is almost impossible to grow Succulent in the winter.
Again, using a grow light can help, but the best option is to put them near the window that gets the most sunlight.
If you haven't already, be sure to download your free Succulent care cards to see which plants will thrive indoors.You can get the cards by clicking here.
If you notice that your plants are leaning toward the light or getting too tall, you'll know what to do.
Did you know that each species has different care needs?Some of them will grow better for you than others.
If you want to know which ones will grow well for you, get help.There are over 180 varieties featured.
Even if you live in a less-than-ideal climate for them, I'm excited to help you enjoy growing them.I started out with 3 plants on a window sill in Utah, and now have hundreds of them indoors in Arizona.You can do this as well.I am here to help.
If your Succulent is getting too much or too little water, there are things you can do to help it thrive.
You will get detailed care information for 5 Succulents that are great for beginners and grow well indoors with this free download.Succulents will love being inside.You will get a few follow up tips to help you grow healthy Succulents.
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