What to Do When a Newly Bought Succulent Turns to Mush? Common Causes and Solutions

Like many plant lovers, Momo lost quite a few succulents over the summer. She wanted to take advantage of the crisp, pleasant autumn weather to pick up several succulents she liked, but they started turning to mush as soon as she brought them home. How frustrating!

When a succulent turns to mush, we first need to find the cause, then find the corresponding solution. If it is rescued in time, the succulent will quickly become plump and lively again.

Leaves of a bare-root succulent turning to mush

After a succulent is removed from the soil, because shipping takes a relatively long time, the air is not circulating, and the succulent was not dried in time after being bare-rooted, the air becomes stuffy. Add to that water remaining on the leaves, and the succulent quickly starts turning to mush.

Solution

If the succulent you receive has some leaves turning to mush, simply remove the affected leaves in time and keep the healthy ones. Then place the succulent in a ventilated, shady spot to dry for about 2 days. Once dry, repot it. Remember, it is better to pot it in dry soil. After about a week, once the succulent has settled into the pot, you can care for it normally.

Leaves of a freshly potted succulent turning to mush

If a freshly potted succulent's bottom 1-2 leaves slowly become soft, this is normal and there is no need to worry at all. This is because the succulent needs to settle into the pot, and since its roots have not yet established themselves, it consumes the nutrients from the bottom leaves, creating the false appearance of turning to mush. At this point, keep it dry first, and after about 1 week, increase the amount of watering.

Another situation is when the bottom leaves of the succulent are consumed relatively quickly. That is because the roots have not established themselves and there is standing water in the pot. The roots may well have rotted too, so they consume the nutrients from the leaves. At this point, you need to take it out of the pot, let the roots dry again, and at the same time dilute carbendazim with water at about 1000 times, soak the roots for 10 minutes, then let them dry again before repotting.

Well, that is all for my sharing. I hope it is helpful to you.