The popularity of succulents as an apartment and home decor plant is due to their ease of upkeep.
The need for light does vary, however, so that they can survive and thrive.
You might ask what kind of light succulents need.
Basically, succulents require at least six hours of bright indirect light or bright filtered light each day.
Here you’ll learn about how much sunlight succulents really require, and what you can do if they’re not getting enough or too much.
Different Issues With Sunlight And Succulents
- Too Little Light
- Too Much Light
- Not The Right Amount Of Direct Light
- Not The Right Amount Of Indirect Light
How Much Light Do Succulents Need?
Generally, succulents need six hours of sunlight each day, but particular requirements will depend on the location you want to grow them, your climate, and the type of succulents you choose.
It is, however, a bit more complicated to achieve ideal conditions.
The first thing you need to understand about succulent plants is that they hold water in climates that get very little rain.
Some plants have unusual features, including thick fleshy parts that keep water in.
Deserts, cliff edges, and rocky terrains are home to many of these plants. They are found mostly in Africa, but some are also found in South America and the Alps.
As a result of their ability to retain water, they can survive without water for several months, and grow in warm, bright areas.
How Much Light Do Succulents Need?
If succulents are receiving enough light, their colors will be vibrant and they will grow happily. If they are not receiving enough light, they will stretch out in an attempt to “find” a light source.
This type of growth is different from normal growth in that the plant will look weak and leggy. This may appear as if the plant is growing tall, but it isn’t strong enough to support itself.
If they get too much sun, their colors will become more washed out or faded rather than vibrant and vibrant.
How Much Indirect Sunlight Should Succulents Receive?
Even though succulents prefer warm and bright regions, they do not necessarily prefer direct sunlight.
However, they are more susceptible to burning with direct sunlight.
Whether you plant your succulents outside or indoors, indirect sunlight is best for succulents.
What is indirect sunlight?
It’s sunlight that doesn’t directly shine on a plant.
For example, if you are growing plants outside, sunlight that shines through clouds or leaves is indirect sunlight. This is in comparison to sunlight that isn’t blocked by anything.
If you place your plant directly in front of a window, it receives direct sunlight. Indirect sunlight is achieved by placing it at least three feet away from a bright window.
Can Succulents Survive In Direct Sunlight?
Depending on the type of succulent and where it came from, succulents grow best in bright indirect sunlight.
In my experience, some succulent species, such as Sedums and Sempervivum, are better at handling full sun, which gives their vibrant colors that make them excellent groundcovers.
You need to consider a few things, however, if you want to plant your succulents in a place where they will receive direct sunlight.
To begin with, slowly transition the plant. If you place a plant that was raised in indirect sunlight in direct sunlight, it is more likely to burn.
Start by placing your plant in the direct sun for a couple of hours and gradually increase the time until it is able to acclimate.
If you’ve got plants that are in the sun all day during the summer, you may want to filter the light onto them so that they don’t burn.
Can Succulents Get Enough Light Indoors?
Getting enough sunlight for succulents indoors can be challenging; they need a steady amount of sunshine to thrive.
Using a south-facing window near your indoor succulents may provide enough light they need. Basically, succulents need as much light as possible.
Especially during the winter months or if you want to encourage your plants to bloom, you’ll need grow lights if you do not have a solarium attached to your house.
The best location for supplying sufficient light would probably be on the west or south side of a building.
Because they are up against hot glass, succulents placed in front of a window might burn.
Succulents that grow well indoors include jade plants, aloe vera, pencil cactus, haworthia, elephant’s food. Plants with brighter colored leaves do not grow well in the house.
How Much Sunlight Do Succulents Need Outdoors?
Succulents can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but you shouldn’t grow them outside in temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit or below freezing.
If you choose to grow your succulents outdoors, they should have at least six hours of bright, filtering sunlight per day – most will get “leggy” and weak if they don’t get that much light.
This is because the succulent will try to grow long to get to a light source. Plants that are not green might also lose their color if they do not get enough sunlight.
With more light, they can grow more colorfully and have more blooms, but remember that it is important that the light they receive is indirect.
Can Succulents Get Too Much Sun?
Most succulents need at least 3 hours of direct sunlight each day. If they receive 6 or more hours of direct sunlight, they will burn if they are not sun-loving species like Aloe or Sempervivum.
Sadly, they only burn after a few hours, so take care to think about what kind of succulents you are using and where you think about planting them.
If you are concerned that your succulents may be burning, look for scars and washed-out colors. Your succulents should be vibrant if they are receiving enough sunlight.
If you are growing succulents outdoors and don’t want to bring them inside during the winter, you should live in a place that doesn’t get too cold.
Since succulents are native to desert climates, they are not adapted to freezing temperatures. However, sedum and sempervivum succulents can withstand freezing temperatures.
The Best Succulents For Growing Outdoors
- Sedum
- Houseleeks
- Kalanchoe
- Echevaria
- Aeoniums
Plants with more color will thrive outside.
Is Sunlight Mandatory For Succulents?
However, this does not mean sunlight is necessary for growing succulents. Many varieties of succulents prefer both direct and indirect sunlight.
It does not matter whether the light comes from the sun, fluorescent lights or LEDs, so long as it is bright enough to replicate the sun’s wavelengths in order to provide your succulents with the light they require.
Like we mentioned previously, succulents do not necessarily need direct sunlight, and in fact, some of them prefer to grow in “bright shade”. The ZZ plant and the snake plant are both species that thrive in the shade.
It is best to have bright shade if it is not possible to have artificial light instead of getting light from the sun.
Can You Grow Succulents With Artificial Light?
The light itself is important for the photosynthesis process, where plants use this light to create the energy they need to live. Unlike humans, plants do not need vitamin D from the sun, but the light itself.
Therefore, providing your plants with the right amount of light will enable them to survive.
Due to their origins (dry, sunny, hot climates), succulents are difficult to grow under artificial light.
Purchasing a light that is specially designed for plant growth will give you the best results in the long run.
Inside lighting does not produce all of the wavelengths required by succulents and plants.
How Long Should You Leave Grow Lights On?
It is important to position your light near your plants, because light intensity decreases when it is further from the target.
Would you like to know how long to leave the light on your plants?
For succulents, they require light that emits at least 2000 lumens per square foot, which is comparable to the sun’s 10,000 lumens at noon.
Therefore, you would be exposed to the same amount of light if you left a light on for 14 hours or more.
The Best Succulents For Growing Under Artificial Light
- Jade Plants
- Kalanchoes
- Sedum
- Sempervivium
- Adromischus
The Worst Succulents For Growing Under Artificial Light
- Cacti
- Aeonium
- Echeveria
- Split Rock
- Lithops
Other Tips For Giving Your Succulents A Healthy Amount Of Light
- A succulent might benefit from being planted in an east-facing area, since morning light is generally less harsh than afternoon sunlight.
- Remember that you may need to move your succulents if they are not happy. If you see signs of burning or stretching, move them to a new spot.
- The amount and type of light your succulents will receive is the most important consideration, and not how cool the plants look. Yet, don’t hesitate to experiment!
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