Learn how to properly water your hanging succulent plants with this easy-to-follow guide. Discover tips, common mistakes, and seasonal advice to keep your succulents healthy and thriving.
Hi, I’m Ashley Scott, and I’ve been gardening for over 10 years. One of my favorite plants to grow is succulents, especially the hanging ones. There’s something so cool about seeing them spill over the edges of their pots, bringing a bit of nature indoors or to my patio. But when I first started, I had a tough time figuring out how to water them. I almost lost my first hanging succulent—a gorgeous string of pearls—because I gave it too much water. That mistake taught me a lot, and now I want to share what I’ve learned with you.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about watering hanging succulent plant care. Whether you’re new to gardening or just want to keep your plants happy, I’ve got simple tips that even kids can follow. Let’s get started!
What Are Hanging Succulents?
Hanging succulents are special plants that grow long and trail down, making them perfect for hanging baskets or high-up pots. Some popular ones are string of pearls, burro’s tail, and string of hearts. They’re super pretty and don’t need a ton of work to grow—as long as you water them the right way.
Watering these plants can be tricky because they’re up in the air. The soil dries out faster than it does for succulents in the ground, but you still have to be careful not to give them too much water. That’s what makes hanging succulent plant care a little different.
Understanding Succulent Water Needs
Succulents are tough plants that store water in their leaves, stems, or roots. This helps them survive in dry places where it doesn’t rain much. Because of this, watering succulent plants isn’t like watering other plants—you don’t need to do it all the time.
Too much water can hurt them, causing problems like root rot, where the roots get soggy and die. Too little water, though, can make them dry out and look sad. For hanging succulents, the air around them moves more, so the soil might dry out quicker. That means you have to watch them closely.
How to Water Hanging Succulents
So, how do you get it just right? Here’s an easy guide to watering hanging succulent plant care:
1. Pick the Right Soil and Pot
Start with soil that lets water drain fast. Succulents hate sitting in wet soil, so use a cactus or succulent mix from the store. You can also mix regular dirt with sand or perlite to make it drain better.
Make sure your hanging pot has holes at the bottom. If water can’t escape, it’ll build up and hurt your plant.
2. Water a Lot, But Not Too Often
When you water, give the soil a good soak until water drips out the bottom. This makes sure the roots get enough to drink, but the extra water runs away.
Then, wait until the soil is totally dry before watering again. For my hanging succulents, this is usually every 1-2 weeks, but it depends on where you live. If it’s hot and dry, you might water more often. If it’s cool and damp, you can wait longer.
3. Try the “Soak and Dry” Trick
The best way to water is called the “soak and dry” method. Here’s how I do it:
- Soak: Pour water all over the soil until it runs out the bottom.
- Dry: Don’t water again until the soil feels dry when you touch it.
This is how succulents like it in the wild—lots of water once in a while, then time to dry out.
4. Skip the Spray Bottle
You might think spraying water on hanging plants is a good idea, but it’s not great for succulents. Misting doesn’t give the roots enough water, and it can make the plant grow weak. Stick to soaking instead.
5. Check Your Space
Where your plant hangs matters a lot. If it’s outside with sun and wind, it’ll dry out faster. Inside, it might stay wet longer. I always poke my finger into the soil about an inch—if it’s dry, I water it.
Signs of Good and Bad Watering
Your succulent will tell you if it’s happy or not. Here’s what to look for:
Signs You’re Watering Too Much
- Yellow or see-through leaves: This means too much water is in there.
- Soft, mushy parts: If it feels squishy, the roots might be rotting.
- Leaves falling off: Overwatered plants drop leaves easily.
Signs You’re Not Watering Enough
- Wrinkly leaves: The plant is thirsty and needs a drink.
- Super dry soil: If the dirt feels like dust, it’s time to water.
- Droopy or slow growth: It’s not getting what it needs to grow strong.
If you see these signs, change how much or how often you water. It’s easier to fix a dry succulent than a soggy one, so don’t overdo it!
Seasonal Watering Tips
The time of year changes how much water your succulent needs. Here’s what I do:
Spring and Summer
In warm months, succulents grow more and might need water every 7-10 days. If they’re outside, like my watering hanging plants outdoor, I check the soil often because the sun dries it fast.
Want more summer tips? Check out this guide on summer succulent care on my site.
Fall and Winter
When it’s cold, succulents slow down and don’t need much water—maybe once every 3-4 weeks. I cut back a lot in winter to keep them from getting too wet.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Even after years of gardening, I’ve made mistakes with succulent watering tips. Here are some big ones to avoid:
1. Wrong Soil
Regular dirt holds too much water. Use a special succulent mix or add something gritty like perlite.
2. Watering Every Week
Don’t water on a set day—check the soil first. If it’s wet, wait a few days.
3. Forgetting the Weather
A sunny spot dries out faster than a shady one. I move my plants sometimes to balance things out.
4. Not Enough Light
If your succulent doesn’t get enough light, it won’t use water well. Give it bright, indirect sunlight.
Learn more about light from this University of California guide.
My Story with Hanging Succulents
When I got my first hanging succulent, I thought it needed water all the time because it looked so fragile. Big mistake! My string of pearls turned yellow and mushy fast. I was so upset, but I didn’t give up.
After reading up and talking to other gardeners, I switched to the “soak and dry” method and got better soil. It took time, but my plant bounced back. Now, it’s one of my favorites, and I’ve learned that hanging succulent plant care is all about watching and waiting.
Extra Help and Links
Want to know more? Here are some great places to look:
- Succulent Watering Guide – Tons of watering tips.
- Picking Pots for Succulents – How to choose the best pot.
- Succulent Problems – Fixes from the University of Minnesota.
- DIY Succulent Soil – Make your own mix.
- Indoor Succulent Care – Tips for inside plants.
And here are some fun reads from my site, USA Garden Hub:
Wrapping It Up
Taking care of hanging succulent plants is so much fun once you get the hang of watering them. Use fast-draining soil, water only when it’s dry, and keep an eye on what your plant tells you. You’ll have happy, healthy succulents in no time!
Every plant is a little different, so try things out and see what works. Got questions or your own succulent watering tips? Drop a comment below or visit me at USA Garden Hub. Happy planting!
