Succulents and Humidity: What’s the Deal?

Succulents are considered to be very easy plants to grow. That’s why a lot of beginners get them. But they are susceptible to atmospheric conditions like humidity. So, it’s best to know the specifics like, “Do succulents like humidity?” before or right after you get one of these plants.

Here’s what you need to know.

Do Succulents Like Humidity? 

For starters, there are two types of humidity to look into. High humidity is when the relative humidity in the air is more than 40 percent. This means the particles in the air are too many to allow for perspiration to vaporize.

This might be the result of fog, rain or too many other plants or trees around your succulent. When this happens there will be too much moisture and heat in the air which is dangerous for succulents.

Then there is low humidity, which is when the relative humidity is less than 40 percent. Under these circumstances, there aren’t enough particles to absorb perspiration. That means your succulent can dry out and become brittle. Plants that are in an air-conditioned environment or too close to a stove can experience this.

To understand how your succulent responds to the humidity and how much is good for them, you need to know how much water your plant needs to grow well.

Typically, a lot of succulents like low humidity conditions. That’s because there’s enough moisture in the air for the leaves to absorb and grow.

So, you could say that succulents like it when the humidity levels are between 40 and 60 percent. When it’s more than this, there is an increased risk of fungal diseases and root rot.

In summer, when the temperature is high, the ambient heat is high as well and it may increase the risk of fungal diseases because of higher levels of atmospheric water.

The latter is the result of poor draining when there’s a lot of humidity. So, the water stays stagnant on the top layer and causes root rot.

Related Post:
How to Fix Root Rot in Soil and Avoid Killing Your Plant

What Succulents Do Well In Humidity?

Luckily, there are plenty of succulents that like humidity well enough for you to grow them in your homes. Here’s what they are.

Crassula Ovata

Also called the jade plant, this is a succulent with leaves that are flat and oval-shaped. They are gray-green in color with markings in silver and grow about 12 inches in height. These plants don’t do very well when the conditions are dry, but they thrive when the humidity is high.

You must make sure that the temperature is around 60°F in winter and about 80°F in summer. You should water them once every one or two weeks depending on the amount of sunlight they get on a daily basis.

Make sure you don’t overdo the watering. The soil must be moist but not wet.

Portulacaria Afra

This is another succulent that can grow very well in a dry climate, but you must make sure that it is planted in well-draining soil and gets enough indirect sunlight. If you can meet these two conditions, this plant can even be grown outdoors in the summer.

This plant likes humidity because it is meant to be grown in a temperate climate where the relative humidity is high, especially if you are growing it outdoors. Compared to other succulents, this plant doesn’t need to be moist throughout the year.

But you must make sure that its surroundings have enough moisture for the air bubbles to leave the top of the soil.

Sedum

Also called the stonecrop, this is a very popular succulent and for good reason. A lot of beginners like to grow this plant because if it gets enough sunlight, it grows very well even in extreme temperatures.

That ranges from -40°F to -20°F and the humidity can range from 60 to 80 percent. When there is enough airflow, this succulent can live quite well even if the humidity levels are between 30 and 50 percent. It just needs a good deal of sunlight every day.

Now, Sedums are also succulents that should not be overwatered because of the risk of root rot. This will happen if there isn’t enough air circulation and more than the necessary amount of moisture around the roots.

But you shouldn’t let it go to the other extreme either. If they dry out, the plant will wilt and eventually die. So, if you’re living in a humid climate, you should water this plant once every three days to stop them from getting dehydrated.

Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana

This succulent is originally from South Africa so it shouldn’t surprise you that it grows well when it’s kept indoors and the humidity is 50 to 60°F during the day and 65 to 70°F at night.

This plant has orange flowers and green leaves, which gives it a distinct look. Now, once it starts flowering, this succulent doesn’t need as much water to stay healthy. That’s because once you enter winter, that’s the November to March phase, this plant is dormant.

In the summer, though, it needs to be watered once every few days depending on how much sunlight it is getting and how big it is. You should also water the plant at night so that it can take maximum advantage of the humidity.

How Do You Care For Succulents In A Humid Climate?

Now, when you have a succulent to grow and the weather outside is humid, there are a few things to keep in mind so that the plant is healthy. Here’s what they are.

Succulents need to grow in well-draining soil because they don’t tolerate stagnant water at all. This is because these plants are at risk of root rotting. So, make sure you pick the soil properly.

Related Post:
5 Best Soils for Succulents in Pots

While you’re at it, it’s also important to remember that the soil mix must not have a lot of peat moss or any other type of organic matter. This kind of matter tends to retain moisture, which can also lead to root rot.

You should also make sure that there is enough space around the plant if you keep them on a window sill. This way, they have enough oxygen compared to what they have when they’re under or against the glass.

When you’re watering these plants, make sure the soil is gently soaked such that it is moist. But don’t water it so must that it becomes wet. Also, ensure that the leaves don’t get wet. That’s because these plants are fragile and too much humidity can attract fungal diseases such as powdery mildew.

You should also check the humidity in the room succulents are kept and consider getting a dehumidifier so that the humidity levels stay in the acceptable range. And if you want to increase humidity in a room, you should consider putting some plants facing the south.

FAQs

Is the Bathroom Too Humid for Succulents?

This depends on the type of plant. Some succulents like cacti don’t thrive in a bathroom because they need low humidity, dry surroundings and sunshine. But succulents that can grow in moderate humidity will do fine. Just make sure the bathroom has sufficient light for the succulents.

Should You Mist Succulents?

Not all succulents do well with this. Fully grown plants don’t like misting because they are originally from arid climates. It could also cause root rot.

Conclusion

Not all succulents do well in humid weather. Some of them are highly susceptible to root rot and fungal diseases which is why you should know what kind of succulent you are dealing with and what is its most comfortable range of humidity.