Short answer
In winter, most succulents need less water, as much light as you can give them, and protection from freezing temperatures. Hardy types can stay outside in suitable climates if kept from wet conditions, while soft or tender types usually need to come indoors.
Know what you have: soft or hardy
Winter care starts with identifying the plant.
- Hardy succulents such as many Sempervivum and some Sedum are bred for cold and can often stay outdoors in appropriate climates. Exact limits depend on the species and cultivar.
- Soft or tender succulents such as Echeveria, many Aloe, jade plant and Haworthia are generally frost-tender and are normally brought inside before freezing weather.
Some succulents grow mainly in winter and rest in summer, so check your specific plant.
Light
Winter days are shorter and dimmer, and succulents may stretch. Move them to the brightest window you have. A grow light can help. Keep leaves from touching cold glass. See our Echeveria indoor guide for signs of too little light.
Watering
Indoors, most succulents use less water in winter because growth slows. Let the soil dry fully between waterings and expect longer gaps than in summer. Cool, damp soil is a common route to rot. If a plant looks wrinkled, check the soil and roots before assuming it needs water.
Temperature, drafts and heat
Avoid cold drafts, freezing windowsills, and spots right beside radiators or heat vents (our winter houseplant care tips cover the rest of your collection). Stable, cool-to-average room temperatures are generally better than swings. Good airflow helps keep soil from staying wet.
Can succulents stay outside?
Only if they are hardy for your climate. Tender succulents may be damaged by frost, and the exact temperatures at which harm begins vary by species. If frost is forecast, bring tender plants inside. Hardy succulents can still suffer in cold, wet conditions, so drainage and protection from prolonged rain matter.
Overwintering hardy succulents outdoors
- Use fast-draining soil and containers with drainage holes
- Remove dried leaves around the base so moisture does not sit there
- Shelter pots from heavy rain or snow-melt, for example under an eave
- Consider planting in the ground in well-drained spots rather than leaving small pots exposed
Can succulents survive three weeks without water?
Many can, since they store water in their leaves, especially in cooler winter conditions. Plants in small pots or in warm, bright spots may struggle sooner. Water thoroughly before leaving, avoid placing plants in direct sun through a window, and do not leave them sitting in water. For longer trips and other plant types, see what to do with houseplants when you are on vacation.
Do succulents come back every year?
Many are perennials and live for years if given suitable conditions. Hardy types can return each spring outdoors. Tender types are perennial only where they are protected from frost, which is why they are often kept in pots. Some succulents, such as a few Sempervivum rosettes, die after flowering, though they usually produce offsets.
Winter problems
- Stretching: not enough light
- Mushy leaves: too much water in cold conditions
- Leaf drop: can be caused by cold, drafts or sudden changes
- Pests: check for mealybugs when bringing plants inside