If you’re a gardener, then you’ve probably experienced this issue before – your succulent leaves start to turn mushy and soft. While it can be alarming, there are a few things you can do to help your succulent get back on track. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps to take when your succulent leaves start to go bad, as well as some tips for keeping them healthy in the future. So if your succulent leaves are looking a little too soft for your liking, read on!
Causes of mushy succulents leaves( what caused the succulents to die)
There are a few reasons why your succulent leaves might start to turn mushy.
Too much watering
The most common culprit is too much water. If you’re watering your succulent more than once a week, or if you’re letting it sit in water for extended periods of time, this could be the issue. Over-watering can cause the leaves to swell and eventually break down, leading to that mushy texture.
Symptoms of over-watering succulents
In addition to mushy leaves, other symptoms of over-watering include:
- Roots that are dark and slimy
- Soil that is always wet or soggy
- Leaves that are yellow, brown, or falling off
- Stems that are soft or rotting
If you suspect that you’re over-watering your succulents, it’s important to take a step back and assess your watering habits. Are you watering too often? Are you letting the plant sit in water? If so, cut back on your watering schedule and make sure that the plant has a chance to dry out between waterings. You should also consider switching to a well-draining potting mix to help reduce the risk of over-watering.
Not enough light
If your succulent isn’t getting enough light, this could also cause the leaves to start to break down. Succulents need bright, direct sunlight in order to thrive, so if yours is living in a shady spot, it might not be getting the light it needs. This can cause the leaves to become weak and eventually start to disintegrate.
Symptoms of insufficient light
In addition to mushy leaves, other symptoms of insufficient light include:
- Leaves that are pale or yellow
- Stretching or “etiolation” of the plant
- Slow growth
If you think your succulent isn’t getting enough light, try moving it to a brighter spot. If possible, place it in a south- or west-facing window where it will get several hours of direct sunlight each day. You can also try using grow lights to supplement the natural light
Bad drainage
If your pot doesn’t have good drainage, this could be another issue. If the roots of your succulents are sitting in water for too long, they can start to rot, which will lead to mushy leaves. Make sure you’re using a pot with drainage holes, and that you’re not over-watering your succulents.
Symptoms of poor drainage
In addition to mushy leaves, other symptoms of poor drainage include:
- Roots that are dark and slimy
- Soil that is always wet or soggy
- Leaves that are yellow, brown, or falling off
- Stems that are soft or rotting
If you think poor drainage might be an issue, report your succulent in a pot with drainage holes and make sure you’re not over-watering.
Pests
If you see any small insects on your succulents, this could be the cause of the mushy leaves. These pests can suck the moisture out of the leaves, causing them to become weak and eventually disintegrate. If you think your succulent has pests, try spraying them with a mixture of water and soap to get rid of them.
Disease
Lastly, if none of the other causes seem to fit, your succulent may be suffering from a disease. While rare, some diseases can cause the leaves to become mushy and eventually fall off. If you think your succulent may be diseased, it’s best to take it to a professional for diagnosis and treatment.
How to Fix Mushy Succulent Leaves( Solutions in easy steps)
Now that we’ve gone over the possible causes of mushy leaves, let’s talk about how to fix them.
Treating overwatered succulents
If you think your succulent is being over-watered,
- the first thing you need to do is cut back on watering. Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again, and make sure you’re not watering more than once a week. You might also want to consider switching to a pot with better drainage.
- If the leaves are already mushy, you can try to save the plant by removing the affected leaves. Cut them off at the base of the plant, and make sure not to leave any stubs.
- Once you’ve removed the leaves, allow the plant to dry out completely before watering again.
Treating underwatered succulents
If your succulent isn’t getting enough water,
- you’ll need to increase the frequency of watering. Water your succulent once a week, making sure the soil is completely saturated.
- You might also want to consider moving it to a spot with more light.
- If the leaves are already mushy, you can try to save the plant by giving it good watering.
- saturate the soil, and make sure the water is reaching the roots. Once you’ve watered the plant, allow it to dry out completely before watering again.
Treating succulents with bad drainage
If your pot doesn’t have good drainage,
- you’ll need to switch to a pot with drainage holes( I also have used these drainage holes in pot for mu plants)You might also want to consider increasing the frequency of watering, to make sure the roots are getting enough water.
- If the leaves are already mushy, you can try to save the plant by removing it from the pot and allowing the roots to dry out. Once the roots are dry, you can replant the succulents in a pot with drainage holes.
Treating succulents with pests
If you think your succulent has pests,
- the first thing you need to do is isolate the plant. Remove it from any other plants, and make sure to inspect it for pests.
- If you see any insects, spray them with a mixture of water and soap to get rid of them. You might also want to consider using an insecticide.
- If the leaves are already mushy, you can try to save the plant by removing the affected leaves. Cut them off at the base of the plant, and make sure not to leave any stubs.
- Once you’ve removed the leaves, allow the plant to dry out completely before watering again.
Treating succulents with diseases
If you think your succulent has a disease,
- the best thing to do is take it to a professional for diagnosis and treatment.
- If the leaves are already mushy, you can try to save the plant by removing the affected leaves. Cut them off at the base of the plant, and make sure not to leave any stubs.
- Once you’ve removed the leaves, allow the plant to dry out completely before watering again.
How to revive a dead succulent?
If your succulent has died,
the best thing you can do is start over.
Purchase a new succulent, and make sure to pot it in well-draining soil. Water it regularly, and make sure to give it plenty of light. With a little care, your new succulent should thrive.
Last Words
Succulent leaves going mushy is a common problem. It can be caused by overwatering, underwatering, pests, or diseases. If you catch the problem early, it’s usually easy to fix. In this article, we’ve outlined some solutions in easy steps. If your succulent has already died, don’t worry! There are still ways to revive it.
We hope our tips help you get your succulents healthy and thriving again soon! Do you have any questions? Leave them in the comments below and we’ll do our best to answer them.