It’s no secret that succulents love light. Most of these drought resistant plants hail from dry, sunny deserts and semi-deserts. So does this mean that succulents require direct light to thrive? Not exactly…
While succulents can handle some direct sunlight, too much too fast can be harmful. Like humans, succulents are susceptible to sunburns if they aren’t properly acclimated to the suns rays. If your succulents go from sitting on a coffee table with no direct light to receiving four plus hours of direct sun on a windowsill, it’s going to get a bad burn.
A sunburn is typically identified by brown or hardened scar-like areas on your succulent’s flesh. Solid green, pale-colored, and variegated succulents are at increased risk. Unfortunately, unlike humans, a succulent won’t heal once they have been sunburned. If you find the discoloration unsightly, the burned leaves can be pruned off.
Most succulents require at least three hours of bright, indirect sunlight every day. It’s worth noting that the sunlight in the morning is usually a bit more forgiving due to the lower temperatures than the much harsher, hotter afternoon sun. If you need to adjust your succulent’s lighting level by moving it to a brighter location, be sure to do it gradually over the course of two to three weeks to acclimate your plant to its new environment.
Ready to take the next step in plant parenthood and adopt a few succulents? Check out our quick and easy guide on creating succulent bowls.
Leave a Reply