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Why is my succulent turning yellow and mushy?

If you’re noticing your succulents normally plump leaves turn yellow and soft, there could be a few things going on such as watering too often, too little light, extreme cold, or pests.

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Overwatering

Water only when the soil is 100% dry. You want to err more on the dry side than too wet. Be sure to check the soil before watering. Water thoroughly until you see it flow out of the drainage hole. Discard any excess water in the saucer. This ensures your plant isn’t sitting in water which can lead to root rot.

Lighting

Your succulent needs bright light. This means at least 6 plus hours of direct sun per day. Too little light and your succulent is not able to properly metabolize the water in the soil.

Extreme Cold

While succulents can be tough, prolonged temperatures below 45°F can cause cold damage. If this happens, bring your plant to room temperature away from any drafts. Hold off watering until the soil is all the way dry. Wait a week to prune off any growth that did not recover.

Pests

Weakened or stressed plants become more susceptible to insect infestations. Sap-sucking bugs like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale can drain your plant of moisture. This problem quickly manifests itself by yellowing leaves. If not killed early on, these small pests proliferate and move all along the plant into nooks and crannies. The piercing mouths of the insects exhaust your plant and accelerate yellowing, especially if your plant is already unhealthy. If you discover any pests, treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap as needed.

Need more help?

We're confident your Succulent will be back to normal in no-time, but if you've followed the steps above and things just aren't improving you can contact us here.