Succulents do not like to sit in wet soil because their roots are sensitive to the bacteria that develop with moisture. So there are two things to remember about taking care of the succulents in your terrarium: light and water.
The Right Amount of Light
You already know that succulents need a lot of light, but how will you know how much light is enough? Your plants will tell you when they need more or less light.
Too little light: Plants will grow tall or bend in one direction, searching for light. That is called "stretching" or etiolation, and it will not hurt your plant. However, too little light can cause your plants to become pale and lose their color.
Move your plant to a brighter part of your space. If your succulents have not been in direct sunlight, avoid moving them into the direct sun for long periods as they will burn. Direct sunlight takes a little "training" by giving the plants more and more light each day so they get used to it. Start with one or two hours each day, then leave them for an hour longer the next day. If you live in a part of the world that is dark often, try giving your plant artificial light with some grow lights, but remember to keep the light source no more than 12 inches (30 cm) from the plants.
Too much light: Yes, giving your succulents too much light is possible, especially when they are babies. Most small succulents will burn if you leave them in hot, direct sunlight for a long time. The leaves get spotty burn marks, or they will start to dry out from the outside inward. Sometimes the glass from your terrarium can also refract sunlight, magnifying it into an intensely hot beam. So avoid the direct sun!
If some of the leaves on your succulents burn, do not fret! They will grow more leaves, and the old ones will die. Just move your terrarium away from the too-bright area. Do not give it a bunch of water. That is a common mistake. You can also put a piece of thin fabric, a plastic grocery bag, or a paper towel over your terrarium during the sunny part of the day, but make sure there are plenty of airflows.
The Right Amount of Water
The "perfect" amount of water is a pretty flexible concept for succulents, but we like to say, "more water, less often." The general rule is to water the soil thoroughly, then wait to dry out before watering again. This is because the soil that succulents love drains very quickly. If you dump water into one concentrated spot, it just drains to the bottom without spreading to the rest of your terrarium. This is no good because terrariums, by definition, do not have an opening for water to drain.
For this reason, we recommend watering your succulent terrarium with a low flow of water over a large surface area. Remember, do not overwater, and do not water too often! You have to keep in mind that changes do not happen overnight like in some houseplants.
Here is how to recognize when your plants are trying to tell you something.
Too little water: Plants look shriveled, or the leaves wilt downwards.
Do not give it a ton of water just yet. Dry succulents are not so bad as they were made to withstand long periods without water, being desert plants. If your succulents live in a terrarium without drainage, please be careful about how much water you give your plants. Keep an eye on the plants over the next week; you will see them plump up again. Do not dump a ton of water into your succulents at once because they will rot and die.
Too much water: This is the most common mistake people make with succulents. When plants get too much water, the bottom leaves die or rot. When they rot, the leaves get all squishy and gross.
In most cases, just let your terrarium sit without watering until you see the soil completely dry. You can tell if the soil is dry when the color gets light and dusty. Like baking cupcakes, you can also stick a finger, toothpick, or moisture meter into the soil and test the moisture level. If you have already put too much water into your terrarium and the dirt is soggy, or you see water fill up the bottom of the vessel, you might want to try more desperate measures. Go to the local pharmacy or computer store and buy a large syringe with a long needle, like the ones used to refill ink cartridges. Stick the syringe into the bottom of your vessel and suck out as much water as possible. Leave your terrarium in a bright place with good airflow, but not in direct sun, and let it dry out. Then start watering your plants again once things have dried. Usually, some parts of the plants die, but it does not mean the entire plant is dead. They will come back with love and time.
Source: juicykits.com
Links
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus