Dealing with a stretched plant? Here are some tricks so you don’t have to repot—just try these to fix leggy succulents!
So , your pretty piddling succulent has been indicate sign of the zodiac of etiolation , or stretch . Well , that ’s never a good facial expression , and it actually is a rallying cry for assistant from your succulent . You need to make some major changes in its fear to help gear up leggy succulent without repot .
Tips to Fix Leggy Succulents Without Repotting
1. Assess the Plant
The most crucial footstep before you do anything for your plant is to understand the damage . Sometimes , your succulent might be only more or less stretched , which means just one or two modest modification can set thing right .
On the other hired man , if your succulent is well past that level of damage , you ’ll need to take more serious action .
For example , if yourEcheveriaseems to have etiolate and become top - heavy but is still holding a rosette at its top , it ’s not too far gone ; you ’re only in real hassle if that rosette is depart .
2. Lots of Light!
Usually , this is the panacea to your ‘ stretchy succulent ’ problem . When you see a stem turn or multiple stems stretch out out toward a promiscuous source , you give them what they need . But look , there ’s a proper way to do this !
Do n’t rush your succulent into full Dominicus powerful away — burn is real ! Instead , slowly increase the visible light that it is receive day by day , giving it 30 minutes of extra sunlight every day .
Continue this until your plant receives no less than 4 to 6 time of day of lineal sun day by day . If you do n’t have access to bright windows , consider using spring up lights — they’re a simple fix that do work wonders .
Also , wipe those windows fresh ! A layer of junk might not seem like much , but it can seriously cut down the light your succulent gets . A quick uncontaminating can actually make a obtrusive difference .
3. Keep Rotating the Plant
The obvious next whole step is to keep rotating your flora . As the stretched side begin soaking in the sun , make trusted the other side gets its comely percentage too . This keeps things looking balanced .
Once your succulent starts growing evenly , get into the habit of plough it about 90 degree every week . That agency , it grows neat and symmetric .
4. Trim Off the Leggy Leaves
This is a more drastic stone’s throw for when you notice a few stems beyond helper . If more igniter is n’t sterilize the stretch , it ’s clock time to bring out the scissors grip .
Use a sharp , clean pair to trim stems that have elongate too far . Usually , these can never render to their former glory and can lead to the plant becoming top - heavy .
The best part is that you canpropagate these cut into new plants , which is never a bad affair !
5. Propagate!
So , you have stack of new stem cut that would have been speculative for the original plant . These should be about two to three in with their miserable two leaves attached .
allow the cutting stems ‘ callus ’ over or dry first for a day or two . In a new pot , add well - draining succulent or cactus soil mix and plant the cuttings . Whenever you comment the stain is dry , mist it gently .
In about two to four weeks , you will see the cuttings grow new leaves . This is when you may bit by bit increase the ignition and return watering to normal or err on the drier side .
Tip : If you want your new cuttings to get more compact and rosette - like , make indisputable they ’re getting enough direct morning sun during those first few week .
6. Boost Air Circulation Around the Plant
Sometimes , long-shanked ontogenesis is n’t just about light — it ’s also about stale airwave . When flow of air is poor , your succulent ’s maturation slows , and the plant stretch out trying to “ breathe . ”
Try moving it to a spot where there ’s gentle air circulation , like near a devotee or a windowpane that ’s slimly ajar . But be careful — don’t countenance it sit in stale draft !
in force airflow also avail prevent mold and mildew , especially when you ’ve recently water or are trying to root cuttings . intend of it like giving your plant life a bit of respiration way — smart air can do admiration !
And as they say , a hint of refreshing atmosphere never hurt anyone — your succulent included .
7. Watch Your Watering Habits
Too much water can countermine your plant and make it more prostrate to flop or stretching . Try the “ soak and wry ” method acting : piddle deep , but onlywhen the soil is completely dry . This help the roots grow stronger and the works stay more compact .
Also , avoid late - evening tearing — especially if flow of air is down . pee seat overnight can create the perfect violent storm for rot or fungus .
