What Are the Signs of Dormancy in Succulents? A Detailed Guide to Identification

Succulents are much loved for their unique forms and their ability to adapt to their environment. However, as the seasons change, especially with the arrival of intense heat and severe cold, many succulents enter a dormant state. Understanding the signs of dormancy in succulents is crucial for enthusiasts. This article will introduce the signs of dormancy in succulents in detail from three aspects: state, color and growth changes.

Check the state: slow growth, leaves drawing together

After succulents enter dormancy, the most obvious sign is that their growth rate slows noticeably, or even stops altogether. During the growing season, succulents usually have an attractive shape, with leaves spread out and full of vitality. After entering dormancy, however, the leaves draw in toward the center of the rosette, and the plant becomes more tightly packed. This is because during dormancy succulents reduce the consumption of the leaves at the center of the rosette, so as to cope with unfavorable environmental conditions.

Some thin-leaved succulents also show the outer leaves slowly turning yellow while the central leaves draw inward during dormancy. For example, varieties such as Echeveria derenbergii, Aeonium and greenovia show particularly obvious leaf changes during dormancy. In addition, some succulents, such as Cotyledon tomentosa and Echeveria elegans, also shed leaves during dormancy. This leaf drop is mostly normal physiological leaf drop, a stress response to the environment, and it will not be accompanied by pathological symptoms such as root rot or leaves turning to water.

Check the color: leaf color changes, dull and lusterless

During dormancy, the leaf color of succulents also changes significantly. Compared with the growing season, the leaf color of dormant succulents becomes darker or lighter, but overall the color of the outer leaves and the leaves at the center of the rosette will be basically the same, becoming dull and lusterless. This is because dormant succulents stop growing, and the chlorophyll content in the leaves decreases, causing the leaf color to change.

During the growing season, the color of the center of the rosette is usually a little greener and tenderer than that of the old leaves. After entering dormancy, the color at the center of the rosette also gradually deepens and becomes basically consistent with the color of the old leaves. This color change not only helps us judge whether a succulent has entered dormancy, but can also serve as a basis for adjusting our care strategy.

Check growth changes: growth stops, dead leaves increase

After succulents enter dormancy, they stop growing, which is one of the most obvious signs of dormancy. Because growth stops, the demand of succulents for water and fertilizer is also greatly reduced. Therefore, during dormancy we need to reduce the frequency of watering to avoid root rot caused by overwatering. For completely dormant succulents, watering can even be stopped for a period of time.

At the same time, because the metabolic rate of succulents slows during dormancy, a large number of spent dead leaves are produced. These dead leaves usually do not appear together with pathological symptoms such as root rot or leaves turning to water, but instead fall off naturally as the weather turns cooler. For succulents whose outer leaves naturally turn yellow and withered during dormancy, we should not peel off the dead leaves by hand, because the outer dead leaves have a protective effect on dormant succulents.

The signs of dormancy in succulents are mainly shown in three aspects: state, color and growth changes. By observing the growth state, leaf color and growth changes of succulents, we can accurately judge whether a succulent has entered dormancy and adjust our care strategy accordingly. Only by understanding the signs and patterns of dormancy in succulents can we better care for them and let them show their most beautiful form in every season.