Your succulent isn’t as green as it used to be, or is it dying? You’re not alone; most of us who have plants at home go through a similar experience. 

Succulents, with their beauty, wide variety, and robust appearance, are favorites among plant lovers due to their low maintenance and ability to thrive in adverse conditions. 

However, even the hardiest succulents can show signs of weakness if not given proper care.

If you’re experiencing this situation, don’t worry. With a little knowledge and attention, it’s possible to revive and restore vitality to your plant. 

In this article, I’ll give you different tips and key techniques for trying to rescue a succulent on the brink of death, from identifying common problems to implementing effective recovery strategies.

Get ready to transform that wilted succulent into a vibrant symbol of life and beauty!

How to Revive a Dying Succulent Plant?

Reviving a dying succulent can be a challenge, but it is possible with proper care and a little patience.

Succulent dying from bottom up

If you don’t know why your plant is dying, I recommend that you take them out of the ground to know the state of their roots and see if there are traces of rot and fungi.

If the problem is fungus on the roots, it is best to replace the substrate with a new one. Before adding the new substrate, disinfect your pot.

Remove the parts affected by the fungus very carefully from the healthy part of the silver (don’t forget the roots) and transplant only the healthy part. Then, apply fungicides (commercial or homemade) to eliminate the fungus.

Be careful with waterlogging or excess watering, as this could be the cause of the fungus in your plant.

How to save a succulent without roots:

If you have a rootless succulent, there are a few things you can do to try to save your plant. Here are some steps you can follow:

Examine the plant to determine if there are any parts of the roots that can be saved. In some cases, although the main roots are damaged, there may be lateral roots that are still healthy.

Use clean, sharp scissors to remove any rotten, diseased or damaged parts of the roots. Only leave the roots that are healthy.

Once you have cut the roots, let the plant air dry for a day or two. This will help prevent further rot and allow the cuts to close.

Prepare a soil mix suitable for succulents. This mix usually includes potting soil, coarse sand, and perlite or pumice. Just remember that it has to be a substrate with good drainage.

Transplant the succulent into a pot with the prepared substrate. Make sure the plant is placed stably and the roots are in contact with the soil.

After planting the succulent, lightly water the soil around the plant. Avoid overwatering, as too much water can cause more root rot.

Place the succulent in a location with bright indirect light and avoid direct sunlight for the first few days after transplanting. This will help reduce stress on the plant while it recovers.

Keep an eye on the succulent over the next few weeks to see how it responds. It may need time to recover and start developing new roots.

Now, if your plant literally does not have a single salvageable root, I recommend propagating your plant through cuttings. Make a clean cut on a branch of your plant and plant in a small pot or glass. You can also try to propagate in water, ie. Place the plant in a glass where only the stem touches the water.

No matter what the method, keep an eye on the evolution of your plant. You will notice the evolution of your plant if it begins to produce new leaves or roots.

Remember that recovering a rootless succulent can be a delicate process and is not always successful. However, with proper care, many succulents have the ability to regenerate and regrow even after suffering significant damage.

How to propagate a dying succulent

If you have a dying succulent and want to try propagating it to salvage at least a part of it, here are some steps you can follow:

Examine the succulent to identify any part that is still healthy. Look for stem sections that are not too damaged or rotten.

Use clean, sharp scissors to carefully cut a healthy section of the succulent. Make sure the section you cut has healthy leaves and stem.

After cutting the succulent, let the plant sit on a paper towel in a well-ventilated area (without direct sunlight) for a few days, until you notice the cut to be dry.

Prepare your pot with a suitable succulent potting mix. When choosing or making the mix, ensure it drains water well.

It’s time to plant your cutting. Make sure to bury the cut end deep enough to be stable but not too deep.

Place the pot in a location with indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight until your plant has grown.

After planting the section, lightly water the soil around the plant. Keep the soil slightly moist, but avoid overwatering as this could lead to root rot.

Over time, the succulent section should begin to root and develop new leaves. Be patient and monitor the progress of the plant as it recovers.

How to revive a succulent that was overwatered?

Improper watering is one of the main reasons why a succulent can wilt.

If the soil is constantly wet, the roots can rot, causing the leaves to wilt and promoting fungal growth.

Make sure to water the succulent only when the soil is dry, and adjust the frequency according to the plant’s needs and environmental conditions.

If your plant is wilting due to overwatering, the first thing to check is whether the substrate is appropriate. 

If you notice that when you water your plant, the substrate takes a long time to drain the water, meaning the water remains pooled on the surface, you should change or improve the substrate.

If the substrate is appropriate, simply stop watering your plant for a few days, let the substrate dry out completely, and let it rest before watering again. 

Succulent leaves drying up and falling off:

There are a few reasons why the leaves of your succulents are falling off. It is important to identify what the cause of this is in order to act accordingly.

That is why I leave you the main causes why the leaves of your succulents are falling.

-Underwatering – Improper watering is one of the main reasons why a succulent can wilt, causing its leaves to dry out and fall off.

Although succulents tolerate drought very well, they require water from time to time, especially in summer.

So if you water your succulents a little and notice that their leaves are falling off, you should start watering them a little more frequently.

-Sunlight Exposure: Succulents need adequate sunlight to grow and thrive, but too much direct light can burn them.

If you notice that your succulent is exposed to excessive and intense light, and its leaves look burnt and fall off, move the plant to a place where it receives sun but also shade during the day.

-But if it is in a place with little light and you notice that the plant looks weak and its leaves fall off easily, you should put it in a place where it receives more sunlight.

Be careful not to expose it to direct sunlight abruptly as the plant can burn.

-Diseases and Pests: Some fungal or bacterial diseases, as well as infestation by pests such as mites or scale insects, can cause succulent leaves to dry out and fall off.

Check your plant to see if you notice any signs of pests or diseases and add the remedy that your plant needs depending on the disease.

-Incorrect Substrate: The substrate in which the succulent is planted greatly influences its health. A substrate that retains too much moisture can cause root rot and leaves to fall off.

Make sure you use a substrate that drains water well. You can make it yourself or purchase one designed specifically for succulents.

Overwatered succulent ya hable de esto mas arriba por eso lo deje asi.

-What does a dying succulent look like?

Wilted plants can look different from each other, depending on what is affecting them. But in general aspects when the succulent is dying its leaves can begin to wither, become soft and wrinkled.

Its leaves change color, turning yellow, brown or even black. This color change can be a sign of stress, lack of light, illness, or excessive watering. Leaves that fall off easily or plant parts that come off effortlessly are signs of weakness and deterioration in a succulent.

Also if you look at its roots you will notice that they are soft, dark or rotten. The stem of a dying succulent may become soft and discolored.

Another sign that your succulent is dying is that it will stop growing and will no longer have new shoots.

Leaves that fall off easily or plant parts that come off effortlessly are signs of weakness and deterioration in a succulent plant.

In conclusion, reviving a dying succulent can be a rewarding challenge that requires patience, care, and attention to detail. By taking the proper steps, such as identifying and correcting watering problems, providing adequate light, aeration, and well-drained substrate, it is possible to save these beautiful plants and restore their health. Although success is not always guaranteed, the process of trying to revive a dying succulent can teach us valuable lessons about plant care and the importance of being attentive to the needs of our green spaces. With dedication and perseverance, we can enjoy the beauty and vitality of these fascinating plants in our home or garden.

-More Tips   l:o resalte por si lo quieres dejar o no

-Regardless of the cause of your plant’s wilting, remove the severely damaged parts. This will help the plant conserve energy and encourage new leaf growth.

-Be cautious with fertilizers, as although they can benefit your plant, an excess of them can potentially burn your plant. Add them only when necessary. You can use natural and homemade fertilizers, as they are less harsh.

-Be patient; the recovery of a dying succulent can take time. Even if you don’t see immediate results, continue providing regular care to the plant. With time and proper attention, you may start to see signs of revitalization and growth in your succulents.

-Give plenty of love to your plants and provide them with the individual care each one needs. Not all plants are cared for in the same way.

Remember that each succulent is unique, and what works for one plant may not work for another. Observe closely the needs and signals of your dying succulent and adjust your care accordingly. With a little love and attention, it’s possible to revive even the sickest succulents!