So your succulents survived your “helpful” winter care—congrats! Now summer’s rolling in, and those plump little guys are side-eyeing you like, “You’d better not drown us in love again.” As someone who’s killed more succulents through kindness than neglect (RIP, my overwatered Haworthia), I’ve cracked the code for summer survival. Let’s ditch the one-size-fits-all advice and get tactical.
1. Watering: The Art of Playing Hard to Get
Here’s the dirty secret nobody tells you: Succulents thrive on your indifference. Last July, I experimented with two identical Echeverias—one watered weekly, the other only when its leaves wrinkled. Guess which one grew neon-pink edges?
Summer hydration rules:
- Finger test 2.0: Dig a chopstick into the soil. If it comes out clean, water; if muddy, walk away
- Timing hack: Water at sunset to prevent root steam burns (yes, that’s a thing)
- Container IQ: Terra cotta pots > plastic—they breathe like yoga pants
2. Sunlight: From Spa Day to ER Visit
Your succulents need sun, but summer rays are that friend who doesn’t know their own strength. My Aloe ‘Black Gem’ got scorched in 90°F heat—now I use 30% shade cloth from June-August.
Light strategy:
- Morning sun buffet (6-11 AM), afternoon shade siesta
- Window warriors: Rotate pots weekly to prevent lopsided tan lines
- Sunburn SOS: Move scorched plants to bright shade—they’ll grow new leaves over scars
3. Soil: The Drainage Game Changer
Store-bought “succulent soil” often lies. I mix my own: 50% potting soil, 30% pumice, 20% coarse sand. Added bonus? It drains faster than my phone battery.
Pro mix tips:
- Add perlite for air pockets—roots need to breathe too
- Top dress with lava rocks to reflect heat
- Avoid decorative moss traps—they’re humidity bombs
4. Pest Control: Bug Warfare
Mealybugs love summer succulents like ice cream trucks love kids. My battle-tested routine:
- Weekly inspections with a magnifying glass (phone flashlight works)
- Q-tip dipped in 70% alcohol for spot treatments
- Cinnamon sprinkle on soil—fungus gnats hate the spice
5. The Dormancy Dilemma
Not all succulents nap in summer! Sempervivums slow down, while Aeoniums party hard. Track your plant’s natural rhythm:
- Summer growers: Agave, Kalanchoe
- Summer sleepers: Crassula, some Sedums
6. Propagation: Clone Army Time
Summer’s prime for multiplying your collection. My go-to method:
- Twist off healthy leaves (no scissors—clean breaks matter)
- Let them callus 3 days on paper towels
- Place on dry soil; mist around (not on) them weekly
Final Reality Check:
Succulents want to survive—your job is to not helicopter-parent them. That fancy watering schedule? Trash it. Those “perfect conditions”? Overrated. Last summer, my healthiest plant was the one I left on the porch during vacation. Sometimes, less is more.
