When you’re a succulent owner, black spots on your succulents can be very concerning. Is it because of over-watering? Too much sun? What caused the black spot, and what should you do about it? Thankfully, there are several reasons why your succulent might be turning black, and most of them are easy to fix.
For those who love their succulents and want to ensure that they’re able to continue growing healthy plants, this article has everything you need to know about why your succulent is turning black and how to fix it!
Why is my succulent turning black?
There are a few reasons why your succulent could be turning black. It could be a sign of overwatering, underwatering, or because of algae growing on its leaves. If you have any sort of pest control in your home, it’s also possible that they’re causing it to turn black.
We’ll cover all these reasons and more in our guide to why your succulents are turning black… but first, let’s talk about what succulents are so that you know what we’re talking about here!
Succulent Turned Black Overnight
When a succulent turns black overnight, it typically means one of two things: your plant has either been over-or under-watered. In other words, too much or too little water caused your succulents to turn black and rot. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to how often you are watering your succulents.
Overwatering typically leads to fungal growth on stems and leaves. The rot will start at a leaf joint or in between two leaves and quickly spread up or down a stem. As for under-watering, when plants aren’t getting enough water, they lose turgor pressure; that means their cells start shrinking as they lose moisture, which can also cause your plant to turn black.
Related posts:
- What’s Up With Those Brown Spots on Birds of Paradise?
- My Asparagus Fern is Turning Yellow!
- My Fuchsia Looks Dead [Ways to Revive!]
- White Spots On Parsley Leaves [Why is it Happening?]
- Why Is My CITRONELLA PLANT TURNING YELLOW?
Succulent Turning Brown and Soft
With succulents, one of two things are happening: The first possibility is that you’re seeing signs of overwatering. This usually results in your succulent turning soft and losing color (often to a dull brown). If you see your plant with signs of rot, such as black spots or mushy leaves, you may have gotten waterlogged roots or simply neglected it for too long.
Take immediate action—mold can spread quickly and kill off entire sections of your plant. The other possibility is that you’re overwatering but still getting adequate drainage. When plants don’t get enough drainage time, they have to find somewhere else to send their excess water—and they do so by pushing it out through their pores.
Why Your Succulent Turned Black (and How to Save It)
If you’ve ever owned a succulent, you know that they can get some pretty funky colors. However, if your succulent has started to turn black, it’s time to be concerned!
Blackened succulents are not necessarily doomed to die, but before you start watering away, there are some things you should know first. Here’s what’s going on with black succulents and how to save them!
Related post: Why Are My Corn Plant’s Leaves Dropping?
Succulents turn black for various reasons
improper care, pests, or just getting old. If you’re wondering how to save your black succulents, don’t fret: there are several possible solutions! Succulents can turn black when they get too much sunlight or not enough water—so be sure that you’re caring for them correctly.
You can also check for pests like mealybugs and white flies; these usually cause damage by sucking out all of a plant’s liquid through their needle-like mouthparts. To help your plants stay pest-free and keep their leaves from turning color, mist them with water containing dish soap every few days. This will kill off any insects that might be munching on your plants’ leaves without harming them.
Haworthia turning black
Most succulents should be watered when they start to dry out, but not so much that water spills out of their potting container. If you see leaves turning black, it may be a sign that your plant is receiving too much water or has been overwatered. If your Haworthia turns black because of overly wet soil, try drenching its roots with room-temperature water and then gently removing as much excess water as possible without damaging its roots.
Allow your succulent’s soil to dry thoroughly before watering again. This can take several days in extreme cases but shouldn’t be longer than one week at most.
If your succulent has turned black, here’s what you can do…
So your succulent has turned black, and you’re probably wondering if it’s time to throw in the towel. But don’t worry—it might not be as bad as you think. Most of these plants are actually part of a group called xerophytes, which means they have evolved ways to endure periods of drought or high temperatures. This also explains why, even when they’re wilted, they usually bounce back quickly with proper care.
Why is my succulent stem turning black?
Typically, when a succulent stem turns black and begins to die it’s because too much water has gotten into one of its roots. In order to avoid overwatering, which causes rot and mold, aim for about half as much water per week as your succulents’ specific needs dictate. For example, if your plant is in a pot that specifies you should be watering it once every two weeks, you only need to water it once every two weeks; that’s not an error.
The most common reason people overwater succulents is simply because they’re uncertain of their plants’ needs and they assume they’re doing something wrong—but succulents aren’t complicated plants!
Can a black succulent come back to life?
Yes! But only if you act quickly. Once a black succulent has lost its color, it’s more than likely that your plant has begun to rot. Succulents generally only lose their leaves and turn brown when they’re stressed or dying—and a blackened leaf means there isn’t much time left. If you catch it soon enough, you can save your plant with a proper cleaning.
Begin by rinsing off your plant in clean water, which will remove any excess dirt or dust that may be clogging up its pores and preventing it from soaking up water and nutrients. If your plant begins to sprout new shoots after giving it some fresh water, congratulations! It just might come back to life after all.
Why is my succulent turning purple?
If you’ve ever found yourself asking why did my succulent turn purple? then this blog post will answer all your questions about the reasons and causes behind succulents turning black or purple, as well as how to save your plant if it has turned black or purple. You may even discover that you have an entirely different problem than what you thought!
If you’re concerned that your succulent has turned black or purple, take a look at the tips we’ve provided in the following section.
Can you save a rotting succulent?
A question we get asked pretty often at The Sill. And the answer to that question is, most likely, yes. Because succulents are so sturdy and resilient, they can be very forgiving in their care requirements if you make a mistake. Let’s talk about how to save a succulent that has gone too far and start off with some tips on how not to kill your plant. Then I’ll tell you how to bring it back from death!
What happens if I don’t water my succulent
It’s important that you understand what happens if you don’t water your succulent. Watering succulents is not a particularly difficult task and it’s actually quite enjoyable, but there are ways to get it wrong. If you over-water or under-water your succulents they can become very susceptible to fungal infection and wilting.
As with any plant, don’t water your succulents too much or too little as it can cause them harm. They also do best in bright light but need only be watered about every 2 weeks – being kept away from sunlight during their dormant period helps keep them from drying out during winter months.
Why is my succulent turning dark green?
Succulents change color depending on their growing conditions. So if you notice your succulent turning green, chances are its root zone isn’t getting enough oxygen. And if you see dark patches along your plant’s edges or midribs, there could be a fungus problem.
Usually, simply transplanting to more porous soil and providing good drainage will help alleviate any watering issues—but sometimes they don’t go away even after all of these efforts. In that case, your last resort is re-rooting or just replanting in a new pot with fresh soil.
What are the signs of an overwatered succulent?
If you see signs of rot, it’s time to be vigilant with your watering schedule. Overwatering succulents can cause leaves and stems to turn black, which is a sure sign that your plant is dying. This isn’t necessarily a quick process, though; be patient because once it starts turning black, it will continue until all parts of your plant are dead.
If you see any signs of mold or rotting on any part of your succulent, stop watering immediately. You should never try and save an overwatered succulent; if something bad happens you may still be able to help prevent further damage by caring for your remaining plants.
Succulent watering tips
When people think of succulents, they often focus on how easy they are to take care of. After all, they hardly need water and they don’t require much light, right? Actually, watering succulents can be more complicated than you realize. Because succulents store water in their leaves, it’s easy for them to dry out quickly.
This causes wilting and black tips—but before you rush over with a water bottle, there are some things you should know.
Why are succulent leaves falling off?
If you’re an avid succulent owner, it’s likely that at some point you’ve experienced a sickly looking plant with succulent leaves falling off. If you’ve never experienced such a thing and are wondering if it’s just normal for your succulents, or something that should be treated, rest assured: both are completely natural.
The most common cause of fallen leaves is actually one of overwatering. Like humans, plants don’t want to die from too much water either! And when their roots get too moist, they naturally shed excess water through their leaves.
Why is my succulent dying?
Most succulents are incredibly resilient, even able to survive extended periods of drought. However, sometimes your favorite cactus might need a bit of help in order to bounce back after being abused. If you see that your succulent has started turning black, don’t fret: chances are it’s not dead yet.
If you catch it early enough, there are several reasons why your succulent turned black and ways you can bring it back from the brink. Here are a few things to watch out for when trying to save a dying succulent.
