Can Succulents Be Left Out in the Rain in Summer? No Need to Worry Anymore

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Images: Curator

When it comes to growing succulents, it really is a field of knowledge. There is no one-size-fits-all solution; all we can do is try our best to recreate the succulents' original growing environment. Nature is truly amazing: it provides plants with the best possible growing conditions, there is no immediate heat after rain, sunny days provide light for photosynthesis, and cloudy days still allow for good ventilation. So our actions should also stay as close to nature as possible.

Perhaps because summer has already arrived, questions about whether succulents can be left out in the rain in summer have been increasing lately, so the curator feels it is still necessary to write an article to explain this issue.

When it comes to what nature provides, rainwater is surely among the best. Every time I see succulent lovers asking whether their succulents should be left in the rain, and under what conditions they can be, the curator also ponders this question. First of all, rainwater is slightly acidic; compared with specially treated tap water, rainwater is undoubtedly better for succulent growth. During thunderstorms, the high-voltage discharge in the sky produces ionized oxygen, which then forms ozone; dissolved in rainwater and falling to the ground, it can also sterilize the soil to some extent. Ozone in water will also slowly reduce back to oxygen, and oxygen-rich rainwater is the best way to replenish oxygen for plant roots. However, how can you be sure that your succulents are definitely suited to rainwater?

Whether the succulent's root system is well developed

For succulents, whether the root system is well developed directly affects whether they can be left in the rain. First, observe the plant's crown width: one that is about to fill a 10cm*10cm pot can be considered, while a smaller crown cannot withstand the battering of heavy rain! Second, observe whether the root system is stable. If your succulent has just been repotted and the roots are not yet stable, in that case the curator advises not to take the risk! There is a good way to confirm this: push the succulent gently with your finger and wiggle the pot; if the plant still moves, that means the roots have not yet settled into the pot.

Whether there is enough granular soil

Next, you need to confirm whether there is enough granular soil in the potting mix. This involves the issue of drainage: the soil must contain enough granular soil to ensure the flow of rainwater and air. If the proportion of peat soil is too high, the soil may clump during rain, which also makes it unsuitable for rain exposure.

Whether the succulent variety is suitable

For example, succulents of the Cactaceae family and the Aizoaceae family natively grow in the arid regions of Africa, where they are barely watered all year round, so there is no need to insist on rain exposure, is there? All we can do is make the succulents' growing environment as close as possible to their original natural environment. Therefore, if you encounter continuous rainy days, it is better to move the succulents that are not suited to rain indoors. Also, varieties that generally carry a thick layer of farina, such as Snow Mountain and Snow Lotus, should still not be directly exposed to rain; if the farina washes off, the owner's heart would ache!

The issue of choosing flower pots

Plastic, ceramic and similar pots are not recommended, because their breathability and water permeability are not very good. If directly exposed to heavy rain, water will accumulate at the roots and may cause root rot. In this case, it is suggested to use pots and other containers to collect some rainwater and water the plants with it at the appropriate time, so that small plants that cannot be left in the rain can also share the blessing. Isn't that a great idea~

Observe the soil moisture before rain exposure

If your succulents have been in a long-term state of no water in summer, then a bout of rain is truly a welcome relief after a long drought! Succulents also need to breathe; alternating dry and wet periods, with a balance of tension and relaxation, allows them to grow better. A state that is too dry or too wet is unhealthy for succulents. But if, before the rain, they have been in a state of excessive watering and prolonged high temperatures, then you need to be careful, and it is best not to expose them to heavy rain.

Duration of rain exposure

There is also one main question: how long is it better to leave them in the rain. This is a rather difficult question to answer, as many specific situations need to be considered. In summer, in regions without a plum rain season, the probability of long periods of rain is generally not high, so as long as it is not a torrential downpour, two to three days of rain exposure is no problem. However, beware of the high temperatures after the rain stops, which can easily cause the succulents' roots to rot. So be careful to stop at the right point.

Generally speaking, in places with a plum rain season, the temperature is not too high, and intermittent rain exposure for about a week is also no problem. However, be sure to note that the high-temperature weather that appears between the plum rain periods will likewise cause the succulents' roots to rot. In spring and autumn, the duration of rain exposure can be somewhat longer.

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