Do Succulents Like Humidity

Do Succulents Like Humidity? 9 Amazing Discoveries

Do succulents like humidity? To get your houseplants to grow well, you need reliable information about what to expose them to and whatnot. These conditions include the ideal soil type, lightning conditions, pruning methods and, of course, humidity.

If you’re looking to get the most out of your succulents and help them grow, it’s essential to understand the importance of humidity in their environment.

Humidity plays a crucial role in the enhancement of plant growth. If you’ve got succulents growing in your home or terrarium, humidity is one factor you must aptly consider.

Don’t get worked up if you have no understanding whatsoever about humidity and everything it embodies. This piece covers everything worth knowing about humidity and its relevance to succulent plants.

Do Succulents Like Humidity?

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Before delving into this question, let’s briefly explain what humidity means.

Don’t let the vocabulary confuse you; humidity is a simple concept. It refers to the quantity of water vapor in the air which determines the amount of water absorbed by the soil.

Excess water vapor in the air would mean that there is high humidity. On the other hand, less water vapor in the atmosphere means low humidity. A hygrometer is the right equipment for measuring the relative humidity level (%RH of the atmosphere.

When the relative humidity level is more than 40%, that’s a case of high humidity. Whereas the humid condition is low when it’s below 40%.

Back to the question, if succulents like humidity, better put, can succulents grow well under humid conditions? The answer to this question is an outright No!

Succulents don’t like high humid conditions because they naturally come from areas with low humidity. These plants are naturally configured to survive drought and dry conditions. As such, they don’t need excess water.

Why Succulents Don’t Like High Humidity?

Succulents do not like humidity, and here’s why:

  • High humidity exposes the plant to various fungal diseases, which can result in many unpleasant things. The plant’s leaves may wilt, resulting in its death in the long run. Succulents usually store water in their leaves, so be sure the leaves are completely dried before watering again. Water the plant once a week, and it will do just fine.
  • Moisture and water are significant aspects of the growth of a plant, but too much water can result in root rot and kill the plant.
  • High humidity also leads to succulents experiencing pest invasion. When this plant is filled with too much water, it attracts pests like slugs, snails, mealybugs and many more. The insects it attracts decrease the overall health of the plant.

What’s tricky is the fact that succulents can’t also survive in extremely low humid environments. The soil becomes too dry when there’s less or no water in the air. This can result in succulents becoming wilt or even dying.

Thus, succulents prefer to be grown in moderate humid environments, which are neither too high nor too low.

Tips for Helping Succulents Grow in High Humid Environments?

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Having learnt that succulents can’t thrive in high humid conditions, we know you’d be bothered about them, especially if you stay in high humid environments, say, Alaska, Maine or Hawaii (all in the US) or Singapore.

But stay calm because it’s not the end of the road for your plants. What can you do to help them grow well in high humid regions?

  • Drainage is highly essential. Succulents root cannot take excess water. They’ll begin to rot away. So, you must ensure that they have holes that serve as drains in their pot. Never put your succulents in pots or holders that can retain water. It’s not the best for them.
  • Please place them in open spaces, especially on the windowsill, for enough oxygen. Shrouding your plant beneath glass or putting them in enclosed places will deprive them of oxygen.
  • Avoid using a soil mix high in peat moss or any organic material. This is because organic matter can retain excess moisture, which can affect the smooth growth of the plant. Remember, excess moisture or water can result in root rot.
  • Mildly water the plants. Avoid exposing succulents to too much water through watering. It’s better not to water them until they show signs of dryness in the soil. During dry seasons like winter, you have to water these plants occasionally. They don’t need watering during wet seasons, except you put them in a place where rainwater can’t reach them.
  • Misting the leaves is the best way to water succulents when the air is dry.
  • Getting a humidifier to regulate the humidity level in their environments is better. Humidifiers come in handy for increasing or decreasing humidity levels in an area. When the humidity level is high, a humidifier may be used to reduce it. Also, when the humidity level is low, a humidifier may be used to increase it.

Not All Succulents Hate Humid Conditions

Yes! Most succulents cannot thrive under high humid conditions, but certain exceptions exist. Some succulent species that can do well under relatively high humid conditions include:

1. Stonecrop

Sedum, stonecrop is another rogue succulent plant that can grow well in extremely hot or cold conditions. The only deal is that it must get adequate sunlight as it requires light to grow well.

This plant comes in varieties and is one of the most common succulents grown by succulent enthusiasts.

Sedum requires less watering and more light. Misting the plant at three days intervals is ideal for it. Overwatering the plant puts it at risk of root rot and pest infestation.

2. Jade Plant

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Crassula Ovata, popular as the Jade plant, is characterized by oval-shaped and flat grayish-green leaves. It’s an exceptional succulent plant that can grow under slightly high humid conditions. It freaks out and wilts away when exposed to extremely dry conditions or low humid environments.

3. Portulacaria Afra

The list is incomplete without this succulent plant, a native of South Africa. It can blossom in dry environments and doesn’t mind humid climates too.

More on succulents:

Outro

One thing is clear from all that’s been said, and that’s the fact that most succulents hate humid environments. They develop root rot and are prone to disease and pest infestations when exposed to moist conditions. 

Thus, overwatering your succulents is not in your best interest, as you may gradually rob them of life. So, avoid this at all costs. Misting is a better alternative for tending to your succulent plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does humidity hurt succulents?

Exposing succulent plants to too much humidity puts them at risk of gradual death. It damages them and prevents them from growing well. 

Too much water makes the plant prone to mold infestation and root rot, which can sap life out of the plant in due time. 

So, if you’re tending to your plant in a high humid environment, it’s best to regulate its water absorption rate using a humidifier.

What humidity is too high for succulents?

When the relative humidity level is greater than 40%, then the humidity level is too high for your succulents. High humidity exposes your plant to excess moisture, damaging its well-being.

Do succulents like being misted?

Yes! Misting them is the right way to water the plant. However, ensure not to overwater them when misting the plant. Succulents do not require plenty of water to thrive; as such, there’s no point exposing them to such.

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