7 Common Mistakes When Watering Succulents in Winter (And How to Avoid Them)
Winter can be a tricky time for succulent lovers like me. Living in the U.S., where winters range from snowy blizzards to mild, sunny days, I’ve learned that watering succulents during this season is an art.
These plump, desert-dwelling plants are low-maintenance, but they’re not foolproof. One wrong move with the watering can, and your beloved aloe or echeveria could be in trouble.
After years of trial and error, I’ve pinpointed the most common mistakes people make when watering succulents in winter—and how to avoid them. Let’s keep your plants thriving all season long.
Common Mistakes When Watering Succulents in Winter
Here are the common mistakes most gardeners make when watering their succulents during the winter season:
Mistake 1: Watering on the same schedule as summer
I used to think my succulents needed the same amount of water year-round. Big mistake! In winter, most succulents enter a dormant phase, especially in colder climates like the Midwest or Northeast in the U.S. Their growth slows, and they need far less water.
Sticking to a summer watering schedule can lead to root rot. This is because water uptake is greatly reduced. There is also little or no evaporation taking place. This makes the soil to remain soggy, attracting fungi that cause root rot.
How to fix
Check your succulents’ soil before watering. Stick your finger an inch into the soil—if it’s dry, give them a small drink. In winter, I water my indoor succulents every 2–3 weeks, depending on the humidity in my home. For outdoor succulents in milder regions like California, once a month might be enough.
Mistake 2: Ignoring your home’s indoor conditions
American homes vary wildly in winter. My friend in Seattle deals with damp, cloudy winters, while my mother’s home in Texas gets dry as a bone from constant heating. Indoor conditions like humidity, temperature, and light affect how much water your succulents need.
I once overwatered my jade plant because I didn’t realize my heater was drying out the air. I noticed when it began looking shrivelled. While it’s not a good time to repot, I had to do it to save my plant. I used fresh succulent soil and removed the damaged roots before repotting.
How to fix it
Pay attention to your home’s environment. Use a hygrometer to measure indoor humidity—aim for 30–50%. If your home is dry, you might need to water slightly more often. If it’s humid, cut back. Place succulents near a south-facing window for maximum light, but avoid drafty spots near vents or windows.
Mistake 3: Using the wrong pot or soil
I’ll admit it—I once planted my succulents in a cute pot with no drainage holes. It looked great but spelled disaster. In winter, excess water trapped in non-draining pots or dense soil can suffocate roots. Many people have succulents in decorative containers that aren’t winter-friendly.
How to fix it
Always use pots with drainage holes. I swear by terracotta pots—they wick away moisture and help prevent overwatering. Pair them with a well-draining soil mix, like a blend of potting soil, sand, and perlite. You can find these at any garden center or even mix your own.
Mistake 4: Watering from the top without care
I used to pour water directly onto my succulents’ leaves, thinking it was no big deal. Wrong! In winter, water sitting on leaves can cause rot, especially in cooler, less sunny conditions. This is a common issue in American homes where indoor light is limited during winter months.
How to fix it
Water the soil, not the plant. I use a small watering can with a narrow spout to target the base. If you accidentally get water on the leaves, gently shake or blot it off with a tissue. For rosette-shaped succulents like echeverias, this is critical to prevent rot in their tight centers.
Mistake 5: Forgetting about regional weather differences
Living in Chicago, I’ve seen how winter weather affects my succulents differently than my cousin’s in Florida. The U.S. spans multiple climate zones, and outdoor succulents face unique challenges depending on where you live.
Overwatering outdoor succulents in rainy Pacific Northwest winters or underwatering in arid Southwest winters can spell trouble.
How to fix it
Know your USDA Hardiness Zone and know when to bring your succulent indoors for winter. In colder zones (4–6), bring tender succulents like echeverias indoors before the first frost.
In milder zones (9–11), like parts of California or Arizona, protect outdoor succulents from heavy rain with covers or by moving them under eaves. Check local weather forecasts and adjust watering based on rainfall or snow.
Mistake 6: Neglecting to check for pests or rot
Winter’s low light and cooler temps can weaken succulents. This typically makes them prone to pests like mealybugs or fungal issues like rot. I once ignored a small white spot on my Haworthia, thinking it was just dust. Turns out, it was mealybugs thriving in my cozy, heated home.
How to fix it
A good winter cactus pest control strategy begins with inspecting your succulents weekly. Look for sticky residue, cotton-like spots, or mushy stems. If you spot pests, isolate the plant and treat it with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab.
For rot, cut away affected areas with a clean knife and repot in fresh, dry soil. Keeping your succulents dry and well-ventilated reduces these risks.
Mistake 7: Overcompensating by underwatering
After learning about overwatering risks, I went too far the other way and barely watered my succulents all winter. They started wrinkling and losing their plump charm. While succulents are drought-tolerant, completely neglecting them in winter can stress them out.
How to fix it
Don’t let your succulents go bone-dry for months. I check my plants every couple of weeks and give them a light watering when the soil is completely dry. For example, my string of pearls gets a tiny sip every 3 weeks to keep it happy without risking rot. Balance is key.
Bonus Tips for Winter Succulent Success
- Winter days are shorter, and American homes often get less natural light. I use a grow light for my indoor succulents to mimic summer conditions. Aim for 6–8 hours of bright, indirect light daily.
- Keep succulents away from chilly windowsills or doors. I learned this the hard way when my aloe turned mushy after a cold night by a drafty window.
- I cluster my succulents together to create a microclimate with slightly higher humidity. Just ensure there’s enough airflow to prevent mold.
- Use room-temperature water. Cold water can shock succulents.
Final thoughts
When I started growing succulents, I was clueless about winter care. I lost a gorgeous sedum to root rot because I didn’t adjust my watering routine. Now, I treat winter as a chance to bond with my plants.
I check their soil, inspect their leaves, and make small tweaks based on my home’s conditions. It’s like giving them a cozy winter hug. If I can master succulent care in my drafty Chicago apartment, you can too, no matter where you live in the U.S.
Tim M Dave is a gardening expert with a passion for houseplants, particularly cacti and succulents. With a degree in plant biology from the University of California, Berkeley, he has vast experience in gardening. Over the years, he has cultivated a vast collection of desert plants and learned a great deal about how to grow and care for these unique companions.
