What should you do when a succulent grows new roots exposed to the air?

When the roots of a succulent are exposed to the air, they are also called aerial roots. Growing aerial roots means there is a problem with the root system, including being unable to support the main body, lack of oxygen, lack of water, lack of nutrients, and so on. If you have a newly planted one, growing aerial roots is actually a pretty good sign, the plant is in the process of re-rooting. If it is an old plant growing aerial roots, then you might as well consider the reasons mentioned above and look for the problem.

The aerial roots of succulents are generally slightly transparent white, and usually grow on the part of the stem close to the soil, or on the middle part of the stem where leaves grow or on the leaf bases. However, there are also a few cases where they grow at the head of the succulent. Small white aerial roots are generally slender and have good extensibility, but they cannot replace the main root system for absorption and metabolism. In a dry environment they will also quickly dry up and die. However, whether they grow or die after growing, it does not have much effect on the plant. In a certain sense, growing aerial roots is actually a good omen, so if you see aerial roots growing on your succulent, do not panic.

Some succulents may grow aerial roots because the soil is lacking water. If the soil is too dry and the succulent's roots cannot absorb water, aerial roots will grow on the stem to absorb moisture from the air in order to maintain growth. So this is reminding you that the soil is short of water, hurry up and water the succulent.

When a succulent grows top-heavy, it is very easy for it to grow aerial roots, which is equivalent to the succulent being in a state of self-protection. Succulents planted densely also tend to grow aerial roots more easily. Generally speaking, for succulents, Crassulaceae succulents are more likely to grow aerial roots, especially Kalanchoe marmorata, Pachyphytum oviferum, and Sedum rubrotinctum. For some succulents, the appearance of aerial roots is due to normal lignification, after all, succulents also have a lifespan. When a succulent gradually ages, its root system also loses vitality, and the lower stem slowly becomes woody.

In late winter and early spring, some old plants tend to grow aerial roots. This may be because you cut off water in winter to let it go dormant, but it has already ended dormancy and even produced new leaves and new branches. At the same time, the air humidity is greater than the soil humidity, and the plant cannot absorb water, so it grows aerial roots to supplement water. In this case, you can end the water cutoff and gradually resume watering.

For some succulents, growing aerial roots may not be as simple as just the soil being short of water. In some cases, because the succulent is invaded by Fusarium oxysporum and develops black rot, the stem has completely necrosed due to the black rot. Although the succulent looks fine on the surface, the root and stem have already necrosed.

If your natural conditions are good enough, then you do not need to think too much, and even if you care for them carelessly you can still grow decent plants. Succulents are naturally very strong growers. But if your natural conditions are not good enough, then it is especially important to learn the principles and, based on those principles, practice and figure out your own methods. Do not compare with others over who grows better; compare with yourself, and see whether under the known conditions you can grow them better.

This is a gathering place for succulent lovers, sharing succulent care tips. Welcome to follow and exchange ideas.