There’s no doubt about it if your succulent is falling apart, something is seriously wrong.
Succulents are supposed to be beautiful, low-maintenance, and hardy!
So, what gives?
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Why Are My Succulents Falling Apart?
Your succulents are falling apart because they are either dying or because, if they are certain types of succulents, they have been physically disturbed.
If your succulent is falling apart because it is dying, then some element of its environment or care is seriously lacking or being overdone.
And some fragile succulents can begin to fall apart if they are constantly being distributed, brushed up against, or shaken by the wind.
Let’s take a look at the issue in a little more detail.
1. Your Succulent Is Dying
Dying is the number one reason why succulents fall apart.
When a succulent is suffering from illness, over or underwatering, poor soil quality, or lack of sunlight, it shows in the way the plant holds itself.
It might begin to look like it’s shriveling up and fading away to nothing, which is generally characteristic of lack of water.
It might also be lacking nutrients, which presents as slow growth and/or muted colors or discoloration.
Or, your succulent might look like it’s swollen.
This appearance is most common in succulents like aloe vera, which are notorious for holding a lot of water within their leaves.
When the plant sucks up too much water, the leaves can begin to swell past their natural size, which makes them heavy and unstable.
This, of course, leads to leaves falling off and the plant effectively falling apart.
Related Article: Why Is My Succulent Getting Brown Spots?
2. Your Succulent Has Been Disturbed
Succulents such as sedums are known for having leaves that are “barely attached”.
They fall off with the slightest bit of jostling and sometimes it even seems like the wind is enough to knock them off.
This is why it’s safe to consider the fact that your succulent might not be dying but might instead be simply falling apart from being disturbed by something.
Although it’s most common in potted hanging plants, it can happen in any type of succulent that has small, distinct leaves.
How To Stop Succulents From Falling Apart
Once you’ve noticed that your succulent is falling apart, you need to figure out why.
Consider the care routine you have for your plant, as well as its location within the home, and the type of succulent it is.
Then, once you’ve come up with some ideas as to what’s going wrong, you can take action to remedy the problem.
If your plant is dying — it’s not good news but you still have a chance to save it.
If your succulent is falling apart and dying something catastrophic is going wrong with its care.
It could be any issue or any combination of issues to do with your plant’s environment and how much water it’s getting.
Different species of succulents can have different needs for sunlight, temperature, water, and humidity.
And some are easier to grow than others.
Before you can properly look after it, it’s important to identify your succulent and understand its specific care needs.
But, in general, there are a few common issues that can lead to the decline of succulents.
Water Your Succulent Less
Try cutting back on the watering, giving smaller amounts of water, or letting the soil dry out in between watering sessions.
Generally, succulents only need watering once every 2 to 4 weeks.
If this was the problem, you might also want to double-check the roots for root-rot, which is common in plants that have been overwatered.
More Water Or Less Full Sun
If your plant was suffering from too much sunlight or not enough water and is turning brown and crusty, consider upping the watering schedule and moving the plant away from direct sunlight while it heals from the damage it’s sustained.
Regardless of the reason your succulent is dying, it’s never a bad idea to change the soil.
Fresh soil for succulent is like fresh bed sheets for us — cozy, relaxing, and perfect for beauty, rest and healing.
Try Not To Disturb Your Succulent
If you’ve considered all the basic care needs and decided that your plant isn’t in distress but has been somehow disturbed, then saving your plant should be easy.
Consider A Pot That Provides Better Support
For plants that are in pots but have leaves hanging over the sides, consider potting them in bigger pots to allow the leaves space to rest on top of the soil.
You could also hang plants that are falling apart in order to prevent them from being bumped by cats, kids, or anyone walking past.
When the wind is the problem, moving the plant to a less windy location is the easiest option.
Other Reasons Your Succulents May Be Falling Apart
Poor Soil
Succulents do best in nutrient-rich soil.
If you feel like the soil could be lacking the nutrients your plant needs, stir in a little organic matter or try buying a special cactus or succulent planting mix that is specific to your succulent’s needs.
Your Succulents Are Planted Too Close To Each Other.
Succulents need space to grow naturally and shouldn’t be stuffed too close to one another.
You should keep several inches between each plant, so their roots have enough space to grow and won’t compete for nutrients and water.
The Pot Has No Drainage
Overwatering is probably the most common killer of succulents and can certainly lead to them falling apart.
Likewise, succulents hate to sit in soggy soil or a pool of water and this can easily lead to root rot and the steady decline of your succulent’s health.
Always ensure your pot has several drainage holes so the water can drain away each time after you water your plant.
Final Thoughts
We’re confident you’ll be able to identify the problem and your succulent will be looking great again in no time at all!
Just remember to research the specific environmental needs for your succulent, treat it with care, and give it the time it needs to recover from any trauma it may have endured.
