Why Your Succulents Keep Dying (And Exactly How to Save Them)

You walk in, toss your stuff down, and something catches your eye. Yep. Another one. A shriveled, sad little succulent biting the dust on your windowsill. You swear you didn’t do anything wrong—and that’s the part that stings.

These plants are supposed to be easy to grow. So what’s the deal? Don’t worry. You’re not cursed. You’re probably just missing a few simple things. Let’s fix that before you lose another one.

Too Much Water

So here’s the big one. Too much water. It happens fast, especially when you’re trying to be a good plant parent. Succulents don’t need frequent watering—those thick leaves already store plenty. If the soil’s even a little damp, skip it.

Overwatering shows up as yellow, mushy leaves or weird spots that look like blisters. Once that starts, things go downhill. Let the soil dry out fully, trim off the damage, and ease up on the watering schedule.

Doesn’t Have Proper Drainage

If your pot doesn’t drain, your succulent’s just sitting in a soggy mess. That trapped water sticks around way too long and starts rotting the roots. You might see soft, see-through leaves or even black spots popping up. Not great.

So check the bottom of your pot—if there’s no hole, that’s the problem. Switch to a pot with drainage and grab a gritty mix that drains fast. No fancy soil needed. Just keep it light and well-aerated. Your plant will thank you.

It’s Not Getting Enough Light

Succulents love light—lots of it. So if yours is looking stretched out, faded, or just kind of sad, it’s probably craving more sun. Indoors, aim for a sunny windowsill where it can soak up a few hours each day. If it’s already stretched, go ahead and snip the top.

Let it dry out for a couple days, then replant it. The rest of the plant usually bounces back once it gets enough light and a little time to chill.

It’s Now Getting Too Much Sunlight

So yes, succulents love the sun—but there’s a limit. Too much direct sunlight can actually burn them. You’ll notice brown spots, faded patches, or even blackened areas on the leaves. That’s sunburn.

Some types are more sensitive than others, especially if they’re not used to full sun all day. If yours looks scorched, move it to a spot with some afternoon shade. You can also trim the damaged parts. It won’t fix the old leaves, but new ones will grow just fine.

Root Rot

It’s a silent killer! You don’t usually know it’s happening until things look pretty rough up top. Leaves get soft, colors fade, and nothing perks back up. It usually comes from too much water sitting around the roots.

To check, gently pop the plant out and look. Healthy roots are pale. Mushy, dark, or smelly ones need to go. Trim the bad stuff, repot in dry soil, and give it time. Sometimes, even a little cutting can restart the whole thing.

Pests

Pests can mess things up fast. Tiny bugs like mealybugs, spider mites, or aphids might settle in without you noticing right away. You’ll usually see scars on the leaves or sticky spots that weren’t there before.

Spray the plant with soapy water and wipe off what you can. For anything stubborn, neem oil or a bit of rubbing alcohol works well. Also check under the leaves. That’s where they like to hide and multiply when you’re not looking.

Lack of Nutrients

Succulents don’t need a lot of fertilizer, but they still get hungry sometimes. If yours look faded, stretched out, or like they’ve stopped growing, the soil might be tapped out. Just grab a fertilizer made for succulents or mix up a balanced one with low nitrogen.

Feed in the spring and go light—too much can burn the roots. Also, container plants need more help since nutrients drain out faster with watering. A little boost goes a long way here.

Age and Development

Sometimes your succulent drops a few bottom leaves, and that’s totally normal. As the plant grows, it sheds older leaves to make room for new ones up top. You’ll usually see this with rosette-shaped varieties.

If everything else looks good—firm leaves, decent color, no signs of overwatering—there’s no need to panic. Just remove the dried leaves when they start to shrivel. That helps prevent pests from sneaking underneath and making themselves at home.

Incorrect Soil Mix

Succulents hate sitting in soggy soil, so regular potting mix usually doesn’t cut it. It holds too much moisture and can smother the roots. A gritty, fast-draining mix works way better. Think cactus soil or a blend with sand, perlite, or pumice. You can even make your own if you like to tinker. Switching the soil gives the roots room to breathe and helps prevent rot. It also makes watering way less stressful for you and the plant.

Snails

Snails love juicy succulent leaves and usually show up after dark when you’re not looking. You might not catch them in action, but the chew marks and slimy trails give them away. They hide well and multiply fast, so it gets out of hand quickly.

You can go out at night with a flashlight and hand-pick them. Some people swear by beer traps too. If it keeps happening, try switching to a dry setup that makes things less comfy for them.

Take Charge and Bring Your Succulents Back to Life

Spotting problems early gives your plants a better chance to bounce back. Check their water, light, and soil often to keep them happy. Remove any damaged leaves or pests as soon as you see them. Adjust care routines if something feels off. Small changes now can help your succulents grow strong and healthy again. Keep an eye on them, and you’ll enjoy thriving plants for a long time.