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Why Is My Succulent Growing Tall? 3 Most Common Issues With Succulents

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Succulents are something we all love. They’re simple to care for, tolerant of those who don’t have a green thumb, and extremely gorgeous inside any section of our house.

However, no one tells you that your succulent’s structure may change. If you’ve caught your succulent turning leggy and wonder why our post’s for you. Find out why is my succulent growing tall now!

In today’s post, we’ll also introduce 3 other common issues that usually happen on succulents and how to solve each problem. Keep on reading. 

Why Is My Succulent Growing Tall
Help! My succulents always end up tall and skinny! – via Reddit

Why Is My Succulent Growing Tall? 

We call this etiolation. Etiolation is when your succulents begin to develop taller stems bearing paler, less condensed leaves.

Etiolation is most often induced by a shortage of adequate daylight to the plant, resulting in a transformation in your plant’s structure, appearance, and development. 

This is more common with domestic succulents as they are not exposed to direct daylight over extended periods, but it could apply to all succulents.

Best Way To Fix Succulent Stretching

Although it is nearly impossible to revert your spindly plant to its former small state, there are strategies to control its expansion. To begin, attempt to include more sunlight into its everyday regimen. This will keep your plant from expanding further.

Pruning your succulents is the fastest and most straightforward technique to “fix” the expansion. Use a sharp pair of clippers and snip directly above a cluster of leaves.

The exact place to cut will vary depending on the kind of succulents you have. You would want to keep enough good leaves on your succulent so that it can proceed to photosynthesize and thrive.

This will eliminate those undesirable, lanky leaves without affecting the remaining parts of the succulent. It also enables you to develop a fresh, thriving plant from the cuttings, an additional advantage!

After you’ve trimmed your plant, allow it to cure thoroughly in a well-lit spot so that a callus may develop over the cut stem. This typically requires 2 – 3 days. You may then place the cutting straight into soil to sprout and yield roots over time.

You can apply what you’ve discovered about etiolation and ways to avoid it to those current cuttings and newly clipped succulents to avoid repeating the same old problem.

Why Is My Succulent Growing Tall 2
Why has my succulent grown so tall – via Reddit

3 Most Common Issues With Succulents

Besides growing leggy and tall, succulents also face the 3 common issues listed below. Find out what they are and how to deal with each situation! 

1. Leaves falling off or whithered

Why are my plants’ leaves coming off? The most prevalent cause is a water-related problem. Excessive watering can lead the blades to bulge, soften, and finally come off. Overwatered leaves seem soggy and gooey, and the stems might look swollen.

Stop watering till the topmost layer of soil looks dry. Ensure that the planting mix drains effectively and that the succulent does not soak in water for an extended time. If the inappropriate planting mix is used, re-pot your succulent and change the soil to a well-draining type.

Allow the succulent to stay dry for several days after repotting to recoup and recuperate before relocating and watering again.

While watering, allow fluid to escape through the openings inside the container. If the container lacks drainage openings, try piercing some or adjusting watering methods to avoid excessive watering.

During periods of high temperatures, leaves may also come off. Succulents adapt to hot weather or droughts by shedding their leaves to preserve power and retain their water stockpile. Although this is a natural reaction, there are things you can do to alleviate distress for your succulent.

Throughout a scorching period or drought, remove the succulent to a more shaded area away from direct sunlight. Throughout these settings, the succulent may also require more frequent watering. Increase irrigation as required or when the topmost layer of soil appears extremely dry.

Yellow Leaves

Yellowing leaves may occur for a variety of causes, including:

2. Watering issues

Watering problems might cause yellowing of the leaves. Both excessive watering and insufficient watering could induce yellowing of the leaves. Keep an eye on what else is happening with your succulent.

Overwatering occurs when the succulent is excessively irrigated, and its leaves grow yellow, seem soggy, and bloated. If your plant’s leaves start growing yellow, withering away, and drooping, and you realize you haven’t watered it for quite some time, it’s most likely inadequately watered.

You should adjust the watering procedures in this case. If the succulent is getting excessively watered, water less often and allow the soil to rest among waterings. 

Water the succulent more if it is getting inadequately watered. Most plants enjoy being watered until extra water drops out of the container’s openings. Then, wait until the ground has dried entirely before watering once more.

3. Lack of nutrients

Lack of nutrition can cause yellowing of the leaves. Many commercial plant gardening soil contains compost or fertilizer and the soil. Plants can survive on such minerals for an extended period.

These minerals are ultimately drained out of the soils due to repeated irritation, and you must supply fertilizers back in. You can also provide vitamins to the succulent by re-potting them in new garden soil or by fertilizing them.

Replant the succulent in a decent well-draining planting medium, or fertilize it. Utilize a well-balanced potted plant solution or a fertilizer combination created exclusively for cacti and succulents.

Cacti and succulents do not need much fertilizer because they are not heavy eaters. Therefore, half the dose of fertilizer suggested on the box is enough. Treating your plant with fertilizer every 2 weeks is enough throughout the growth phase.


Wrapping Up 

Why is my succulent growing tall? Now you know the answer. Hopefully, today’s post on common succulents’ issues has given you helpful information. Although these plants aren’t picky or hard to take care of, you’ll still need a bit of attention. 

If your plants face any of the above problems, try our quick fixes. If that doesn’t work, contact an expert for more advice.