Why Do Succulents Drop Their Leaves? Six Major Causes Explained

While caring for succulents, everyone has encountered the situation where the leaves fall off at the slightest touch. So do you know why succulents drop their leaves?

Today I will explain the reasons why succulents drop their leaves, hoping it will help you grow succulents.

1. Caused by black rot

After extensive investigation, it was found that eight or nine times out of ten, succulents dropping their leaves is due to black rot. The specific symptoms are: waking up to find that the succulent has dropped many leaves; the leaves fall off at the slightest touch; the dropped leaves show signs of turning to water (sometimes the leaves look normal).

Reference treatment measures:

If it is not serious, cut off the blackened, rotting part with a sterilized knife, cutting as cleanly as possible, then let the wound dry in a spot with indirect light and good ventilation before repotting.

In more serious cases, throw away the blackened, rotting leaves (generally, blackened leaves are basically hopeless even for leaf propagation) or cut off the head and take cuttings as early as possible, so there may still be a chance to save it.

In severe cases, the stem and root system of the succulent turn black; by the time this is discovered it is too late, and there is basically no saving it.

Note:

Black rot is also somewhat contagious. If you find that one succulent has black rot, then you should isolate the other succulents as well. Black rot generally occurs frequently in summer, so pay extra attention to ventilation in everyday care.

If it is already at a late stage, there is basically no saving it.

2. Overwatering

Some beginner succulent growers cannot control their own hands; when they see the succulent is a little dry, they keep watering it, which results in excessive moisture and the phenomenon of leaves falling off at the slightest touch. In this case, be sure to pay attention to watering in everyday care. Generally, watering thoroughly after the soil has dried out is enough; just do not let water accumulate in the pot.

3. Lack of light

Sometimes, when succulents lack light for a long time, it can also cause the leaves to fall off at the slightest touch. For this situation, the best solution is to give them more sun in everyday care, but in summer be careful not to let them get sunburned; some succulents need shading.

4. Caused by root rot

Leaves falling off at the slightest touch can sometimes be due to a problem with the succulent's root system. In this case, you can pull the succulent out to check whether the roots have a problem.If there is a problem, cut off the rotted roots with a sterilized knife, then apply some carbendazim powder to the wound, let the wound dry, and then repot.

5. Caused by soil and pots that are not breathable

Besides the above four situations, sometimes if the soil and pot used for the succulent are not breathable, it can also cause the problem of leaves dropping. In this case, change the soil and pot promptly.

6. Normal metabolism

This one is relatively easy to judge. In this situation, mostly only the bottom leaves drop, and the leaves are wrinkled and do not fall off easily.

How should succulents be sunned?

1. If succulent plants have been grown indoors for a long time, when they are moved outdoors, the light should be increased gradually, otherwise the leaves are very easily sunburned. If no transitional increase in light is carried out, they will get sunburned,mainly shown by some brown spots appearing on the leaves. If the light is too strong, the plant may even die.

2. For those usually grown indoors, if they are to be moved outdoors, it is recommended to first place them in a spot with indirect light, or a place blocked by glass.

3. Succulent plants need four hours of sufficient light a day to grow healthily. In summer, when the sunlight is too strong, it is recommended to pull up a shade net to avoid direct sunlight.