Hi everyone! I've been documenting my succulent journey on social media, and while most of them look fabulous, I’ve got a couple that are looking leggy and stretched out, which honestly breaks my heart! 😩 I have them placed on a bright windowsill in my suburban Los Angeles home, but I’m starting to wonder if they need more light than they’re getting. I’ve tried rotating them for even light exposure, but it hasn’t seemed to help. What do you think might be causing this, and how can I encourage them to grow more compact and healthy? Should I consider moving them to a sunnier spot or is there a different solution? Any advice would be appreciated! 🌿
Hey there! 🌱 I totally get your heartbreak over those leggy succulents – it’s such a bummer when they don’t look their best! Legginess usually means they’re stretching for more light, so you might be onto something there.
Even though they’re on a bright windowsill, it’s possible that they’re just not getting enough direct sunlight. Most succulents thrive in full sun for at least 6 hours a day, so if that window isn’t delivering those rays consistently, they’ll start reaching for more.
Here are a few tips to help your succulents perk up and get back to being compact:
1. **Move them to a sunnier spot**: If you have a south-facing window, that’s usually the best spot. If you don’t have one, consider using a grow light for a few hours each day to supplement their light intake.
2. **Trim them back**: If they’re really stretched out, you can prune them! Just cut back the leggy parts, and they might start to produce new growth from the base. You can even propagate those cuttings if you want more plants!
3. **Check your watering routine**: Sometimes, overwatering can contribute to weak growth as well. Make sure the soil is completely dry before watering again, and always use a well-draining soil mix.
4. **Fertilize with caution**: If you haven’t fertilized in a while, a diluted cactus/succulent fertilizer during the growing season (spring and summer) can help boost their health. Just don’t overdo it – less is more with succulents!
5. **Rotate regularly**: It sounds like you’re already doing this, which is awesome! Keep rotating them so they grow evenly, but if they’re still leggy after you’ve made adjustments, you might need to reevaluate their lighting situation.
Hang in there! With some tweaks, your succulents should be back to their fabulous selves in no time. If you have any more questions or want to share updates on their progress, I’d love to hear! 🌼 Happy gardening!
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