Can succulents be grown outdoors in summer? The risks are actually quite high

Summer is the season with the highest death rate for succulents, so growing succulents in summer deserves to be discussed separately, and it is very much worth a proper discussion. After all, the succulents that die in the other three seasons combined are not as many as those that die in this one season. What are the severe challenges that summer poses to succulents?

The first is high temperatures. Most succulents begin to enter dormancy when the temperature reaches 35°C, and a small number begin to go dormant above 30°C or above 40°C. When a succulent enters dormancy, it means the physiological functions of all parts of the plant begin to weaken, and its resistance is at its lowest, which is why the death rate is so high.

The second is scorching sun. Heat is one thing, and sun exposure is another. Many succulents cannot tolerate scorching sun, and too much or too intense sunlight will cause the leaves to change color, turn scorched yellow, or develop sunburn spots. Once damage appears on the surface of a succulent, it provides an entry point for other pests and diseases, making it more susceptible to them later on.

The third is heavy rain. Summer is inherently the season of typhoons and heavy rain. Just look at the news to see how heavy the recent rain has been. Having a car and a house is no longer the basic standard; you also have to add a small boat, and you need to learn swimming skills to survive. Waterlogging is already a major taboo for succulent roots, and if you add high temperatures on top of that, it is essentially like boiling the plant.

In view of the above three reasons, growing succulents outdoors is not recommended. Of course, there are exceptions, such as regions like Yunnan, where the average summer temperature is only around 30°C, and the temperature difference between day and night is large, almost like autumn, so the outdoor growing method can be chosen, which can bring out the colors of the succulents, and they will grow very beautifully.

In one sentence, whether to grow them outdoors depends on the temperature. Above 30°C, it is not recommended. Obediently pull up a shade curtain or shade net for them, and shield them from the outside heat waves and intense light! Of course, some people simply move them indoors to escape the heat, which is also fine. A lack of sunlight will not kill succulents; at most it will just make the colors dull and the stems and leaves elongated. Keeping them alive comes first.

Another issue is whether they can be rained on. If it is light rain or drizzle in other seasons, letting succulents get rained on occasionally is fine. But with summer rain, strong winds mixed with torrential downpours, it is better to move them back inside. How could they withstand such an ordeal? Succulent roots rot extremely easily. When the rain is so heavy that the water in the street drains outside is overflowing, how can you expect this small pot of succulents to absorb so much water?

Apart from those regions where the summer climate remains mild and the air is dry with no typhoons or heavy rain, do not place succulents directly outside in summer. Grow them in a place where they can be shaded from the sun and sheltered from the rain. Also pay attention to ventilation, otherwise even after shading them from the sun and sheltering them from the rain, they will still end up dead in the end.