Walk With Me As I Decide If Any Of My Plants Would Benefit From A Little Water (or not) And Why😊 

Dear Laura, concerning watering I have minor differences wrt your experience. It depends if the suculent is native from desert or sub-tropical zones. Most cactii native from desert regions are winter dormant, but their growing season (summer) is dry. So, they must be watered infrequently in summer. Succulents from subtropical areas are also summer growers, but the summer is wet. Pachypodium Lamerei, Euphorbia milii and Alluaudia procera, to name a few, must be watering frequently in summer even when temperatures are high. Conversely, no water in winter. This is my succulent "nano" tip of the day! Stay well.

I'm in the Phoenix area and we've been hovering just under 110 for a week or more. Each year that passes, I get more succulents to survive with your advice. Heat dormancy is a subject that is really not discussed enough and yet so critical to be successful with these plants for those of us in hot climates. I have an Echeveria Violacina that hasn't been hand watered in over 2 months and she's totally fine in the shade.

Laura, all your sunburned, stressed, wilted, rotted plants? That’s 100% what it’s like to try and grow succs in Florida! Disappointing is an understatement. Then we come on RU-vid and see picture-perfect succs in Cali the size of a human head! So, while I’m terribly sorry to see your plants in your new Vista garden dead or on their way out, you preaching shade and no water over the last week has been super helpful and thought-provoking for me. Because it’s always, always, always my first instinct to water. And while I did umbrella my actual succulent garden for a bit a few years ago, I’m too lazy to deal with the delicate divas on a daily basis like that. Your heat wave is helping me learn, so I need to say both thank you and I’m sorry. 😊

While I certainly can't apply your advice directly to my zone 7b hydrangeas (when in doubt, drench them), it's interesting to hear the thought process behind intuitively caring for another type of garden. I'm sure a lot of people will benefit from your expertise, as usual!

Laura, great topic today. I’m in my first summer in sparks Nevada. It’s so dry and hot and I feel like I should be watering all my succulents. I’ll look at them with an educated eye from now on. Thanks!

Absolutely LOVE that you are sharing this advice!!! I cant count how many people I've known whom water and lose their babies during heatwaves.

Laura excellent change of direction of advice. You really answered many questions I always had about succulents. Please always inform us of the newbies. I truly follow you for you are a professional.

Thank you Laura, I would ha e never guessed that we shouldn't water in this extreme heat wave. I am new to your channel and look forward everyday to your videos.

We ( in 9b) too are experiencing heat, 105-117!!, for 9 days and until Friday!! Our heat will then decrease to the 80-90’s. So it’s hard to figure what to do.

I feel so much more informed, then before watching! I would and have watered my cactus in the hot summer. Thank You.

Thanks for the tips! I'm trying to shade one area of plants that I installed about four weeks ago. Unfortunately I think I am going to lose half of them😭😭 I originally applied cloth over them but did not realize the cloth was touching some of the plants. It basically baked the ones that were touched. As you say Laura, "get to know your plants" I guess I know them now. Ugh. Almost 6:30 and it is still 113°; however, everything is now in shade. Temps are expected to drop into mid to low 90s starting Saturday with cloud coverage. My babies will finally have some relief. It has been just over one year having succulents and I have learned so much. More to learn but I am even more determined following this heat wave.

Thank you for this great instructional video- it was great to see and hear what we should look for when considering watering requirements….good Info although it’s hot here in Manteca [at 109!].

Hi Laura. I totally understand which you are seeing about providing shade rather than watering but I would like a little clarification. At other times we are told that you know you need to water when the leaves are wrinkling. So when you say that the leaves are curling and wrinkling but don't give in and water because they're just too stressed, there seems to be a conflict in my head. It's been 105 and 107 in Corona but the weather app says it feels like 113 because of the humidity. Many of my plants look surprisingly well but I do have some that don't look so good and I think I should water them but I kind of haven't. Some I made cuttings out of and said in the ground back in like April thinking there was plenty of time for them to grow roots but it didn't happen. Anyway thank you!

I appreciate you driving home this advice! I'm a heavy-handed waterer and I need it! It was so damn hot in Huntington Beach yesterday I was sure everything on my balcony was going to fry, but I remembered your words before I went out there and watered every single pot.

I might have a tip for you on your mammillaria. Try adding a fair amount (50% or so) of crushed limestone or crushed sea shells to the medium you plant your mammillaria in. It should really help with watering and avoiding root rot.

Thanks for the lesson on not watering dormant plants. I am in Oregon and grow the native Lewisia and have lost 2 very established plants where the stems rotted probably due to summer watering.

I have been stressing about my plants and this heat so THANK YOU so much for this video. I feel better now! I thought I needed to water but now I won’t. 💚

Well……. Yesterday, despite the 100+ temps we have had for a week, stressed out plants etc, Mother Nature decided to dump a ton of water on us! So now it is a waiting game. I really don’t think it is going to be a problem with my in ground succulents. Actually the only, ones I am a little worried about are my cactus in pots that I could not cover. I have probably 50 or more succulents in pots but most were all under our patio cover so no problem. However you stated that succulents in pots might do better with water than plants in ground so I guess I wait. It is still going to be over 100 until next weekend!

Thank you for such an informative video, Laura! I’m in the Bay Area with temps of 115! I was inclined to water the shit out of my succulents! Providing shade instead!

I have found that my milii respond to more water when they are droopy. I live I’m zone 9b. Thanks for all you do😊.

108 here today, in Kern County, California at the base of the Sierras. I'm writing this comment at 7:41 PM and it's still 99 degrees. 108 predicted for tomorrow too. It has been above 100 degrees every day for weeks. I moved everything into the shade. we'll see. Our gardens suffer a lot in the summer here.

I've learned over many yrs of experience that spiralis will change its direction and growth when its moved into a dif sun direction or micro climate. Even by a few inches sometimes

Thank you so much for this very interesting "watering tour" in your garden! I was impressed of it all and surprised how much knowledge water metod the plants need. I have overwatered my plants for sure (I have inside plants only). I have lost to many of them for that reasion. But I will be more careful in future. 💯🥰

I feel like the large mammalarias dislike living in the large Susan A. Pots, which is unfortunate. I think the pots retain a lot more moisture than you realized, because like you said - “It gets really humid and the plants pick up on water too”. So your mammalarias could be taking in that moisture, and the pots being as large as they are - the poor babies are likely sitting in too much moisture. Food for thought

Thank you Laura for teaching in every video! Repetition in teaching is just as important as it is in design! As a beginner (still after 3 yrs experiences w/succulents in my garden) following your lessons full of inspiration & principles is so helpful & encouraging! Here in the So Cal Inland Empire area we have temps over 95-100 most days all summer, so I hang onto the hope that watering in evening is our least harmful time for watering. And have to sigh when your garden is too hot at 90. (Smile)

I am glad that i watched this video because it really helped what to look for in each of my plants and what to do! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!!!!

Laura, This is a great video. Thank you! I'm in the Inland Empire of Southern California and temperatures have been over 100 degrees. Some of my succulents are suffering badly. Everytime I look at them, I remember not to water excessively! I will probably lose some, but I'm hoping for the best at the end of this inferno in Southern Cali. 🙏

This video was so informative for me as I have such a variety of plants. Thank you so much!! I feel a lot more confident. ❤️

Oh no! I just watered all my potted succulents after being away for 10 days, extreme heat over in LA Claremont, if only I would have seen your video before watering 😳

Very useful tour. Thank you! I look forward to your take on succulents that are located in lower temperatures than the one you are experiencing.

Thanks for all the tips today, I'm learning not to water when its this hot but being in Louisiana we get a lot of rain. All my plants are in pots which I am glad because if they were in the ground they would probably all be rotten.Love your videos.

Ahhh...Serenity now... Love the chimes😊 Thank you for this video. To water or not to water, that was the question 🌵👍

Shasta County had a record breaking 115 yesterday. Even the squirrels were looking for a cool place with their mouths open and their legs spread eagle with their bellies in the cool dirt where they dug their holes at the base of the oak trees. The high UV Index has fried most of my plants that are usually just fine in the hot summer months.

Perhaps wetting the rocks n pots that’s radiating heat with a spray bottle might cool down the place a bit for this poor fried succulents nearby?

wow, this is the exact opposite of what I would have thought you would do in this situation. Too hot? Too dry? No water for you!! lol

I laid over a white flat sheet that I do not use to cover the side of my garden that gets full day sun and everything is still looking great and no water till this coming weekend!

I would have rotted a bunch of those, thank you for this video

Why aren't we suppose to water aloe picatilous? At all in summer or just just in heat? Just bought one and has been watering it. Should I stop?

Ut oh...no sound again???

First

This was really helpful.

I think this is a great tutorial.

Very helpful. Many thanks for your advice. Cheers from Bundaberg Qld Australia

I'm struggling to keep myself from watering. 104-114 days this week. I keep looking at my plants for any stress.

I truly appreciate this video I typically water every week rain or shine kind of my weekly therapy I have split my garden into 2 sections separated by my front door I water the left side every wendsday (1hr) and the right side every Thursday (2hrs) it's considerably larger with way more plants I have noticed more browning plants than usual and I had never thought because of the heat until now I always had theind set that they were thirsty and needed a nice cool down but now I know I was the cause Thank you SO much for this "succulent tip of the day" Escondido

This was Seriously SO helpful to know your thought process on watering!! Many, many times I’ve wondered what to do in heat but usually I just don’t do anything (and most times things go fine!) Thank you for sharing this with us❤️

This summer I’ve been changing out my garden from boxwoods to cacti and aloes. I have one small jade. They all look burned and ugly because it’s been so hot. Today it got to 108* and tomorrow supposed to be the same. I’m just hoping that this fall and winter things will get better and maybe next spring my plants will look better.🤷‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️😩 for the most part your garden still looks beautiful. 😍❤️🌵

Thanks, Laura. That was a very informative trip through the garden. We hit 114 yesterday with no break until Saturday. Shading what we can but what will be will be. 🌵💚🌵

Summer's get high 30s to low 40s (Celsius) here in Melb Australia and I'm really paying attention to the provide shade not water mantra for these extreme temps, thanks Laura x Oh and how is the bouganvillia around in your kitchen widow going?

My plants are all in pots. I am losing some because they have gone way to long without water. I moved my jade out of the direct shade. Shes not looking good, think I need to repot in larger pot. I did water everyone and it was 100 when I did it. Its staying close to that all day, so have no choice when I water. It's been over 100 and sounds like it's not letting up. So I have to water. Seeing you in long sleeves makes me hot looking at you. No way , in 106 would that work...lol

It does become instinctive with experience. I have over 800 specimens in pots (very few in the ground) and I live in Turkey. If I watered mine like you do, they would not survive one season. Over 45 years Ive learnt how to water in over 40 degree heat. What can tolerate full sun, shade etc.Your location and climate is so important. Your new garden is really coming on!

I can only imagine what it must be like for you all to have to protect your plants during that heat - I live along the coast in South Africa with mild to warm temps mostly. Once in 2021 we had a day of 45deg Celsius and my succulents were almost obliterated in just few hours 😳

Thanks for the info,trying to keep my plants alive here in Neptune beach Fl. Lots of rain now,and 90 s temp.Love your garden,beauriful!

I always thought that when you did water, you gave it a lot then waited until it was very dry. But Laura doesn’t seem to give them much?? Also if it’s hot and they’re dehydrated, why would they rot if you watered it? Am I misunderstanding? Appreciate any clarification. Thank you.

This was very helpful and interesting, thank you. I’m in Simi Valley about 10 degrees warmer than Vista heeding your advice providing shade and not watering. Can you please share some info on aloe plicatilis? Thank you Laura!

Wow, Laura, that walkabout in your heatwave garden was so informative. Here in Sydney Australia, we are still in spring. Our summers here get very humid and hot too. You really gave us some great watering tips. Thank you. Hopefully it gets cooler soon for you there.

Thanks Laura! My N dry shade garden was watered days before the heatwave and are doing fantastic. checked weather forecast a few days out, so I could advance support & let it ride. 🙂 Been shading my new euphorbias pots in S garden as best I can, tbd. Lost a beautiful dwarf tomato plant to wind snap tho 🥺

So glad I watched this Laura. I'm one of those people that tends to overwater when my succulents look wilted/stressed. Now, thanks to your advice, I know better. Thank you.

ugh, this heat.. i'm in Mission Viejo and at 3:30p Tuesday it's 100F with a real feel of 111F... WTH??? this is no bueno.. .but surprisingly, most everything in my front and back gardens looks amazingly well... and i'm not 100% succulents.. i have roses, zinnias, etc and with minimal watering they are doing fine... our wonderful cactus garden planted by Laura and Greg almost a year ago looks FAB U LOUS... i can see a few fried plants in areas and i am identifying those to switch to succulents/cacti over the winter... i hate this weather, absolutely not my jam at all, but man, it is so darned interesting, isn't it? our local neighborhood coyote was on our patio early; i think he wanted to drink from my fountain so yes, please do.. birds are confused but all watering holes and feeders are being kept full so wildlife has a place for shade, food, and water, too... now, if we can just stop the snowfall: yup, big fire in our Inland Empire area and my yard is getting what we socal people call "snow ash"... fun times but a heartache for lives and homes lost 😢... hang in there, everyone!! loved this video, very very very informative because yeah, it's soooo tempting to throw water on everything right now... 🙄🥰😁

Your plants are doing well! We’re having 113 tomorrow! Shade is my plants’ savior!

I am trying to build a cactus and succulent garden in extremely rainy central Florida and have been trying to find a good soil mixture. Is crushed limestone good to use as a base for the soil?

I remember the first indian summer and the initial lot of succulents , the temperature was extreme and i watered them copiously.. and a recipe for succulent soup!! They melted down. Its such life saving advice for the succulents to not water them whn its v hot. I loved the white dancing octopus. Somehow i has missed him.

My yard looks as if it is the Halloween night and ghosts are all out to play. Everything that is in sun is covered with white bed sheets and shade clothes. I just lay the clothes on top of them, like a frost blanket. So far no major sun damage i can see after two days of over 100; 5 more days to go. I will water next Monday when we are in higher 70's.

Tha k you for showing what you should water n this heat I'm at 110degree most of this week n citrus heights

I hear you say "they'll go dormency, Do Not Water" 100 times & I overwater 😕

Thank you for all those tips about watering our succulents. I tend to water when not supposed to, so you convinced me to do so. The garden looks wonderful.

This is a great informative video. It is my first summer with succulents and I was thinking I needed to water, but now I know better! Thank you Laura!

🙋

You are Cool! Hope the temp gets cooler for y'all ❣Lots of good info, thank you. Peace ✌

How often would you normally water your new garden if it wasn’t coping with high temperatures?

Yes Laura helped a lot, last summer I lost a lot of sucs, but would you like to see the front garden, lots of sun?

I cut off bloom and poke into a pot until it dies the Beas and humming birds still feed on them

I love your videos so much they make my day!! :)

I sure hope your mammillarias will be ok! 💚💚💚

Hello Laura Just wondering if you brought Greg's favourite plant, the calendirinia with you?

We were 116 here yesterday, 113 today. I have shaded most of the back that gets constant sun exposure. I have been giving everything a drink, but we are SO very dry here- I think the humidity plays a big role. I hope I haven't rotted the mammillaria area dammit!

Beautiful gardens. Love watching your work you do, I do have a question I have a beautiful Agave Americana and it has 5 pups on it when should I take the pups off without hurting the plant?

LOL, DEFCON 9, I think it's 1 through 5 with ONE being the worst. Love you Laura and ALL of your sayings. PS it was 114 today in Sacramento and still 112 at 6 pm. I lost a few at the beginning of the heat wave a week or so ago because I felt sorry for them and gave them some water. Not these past few days.. and they're doing fine in the shade. Thanks for all of your beautiful videos!

It’s so counter-intuitive to refrain from watering the cactus, but I’ve lost enough plants to rot to know that they didn’t benefit from more water. I have a question about a cactus (don’t remember what you called it, but it’s the one with the spiny stalks and white or pink flowers, and I think the common name is crown of thorns): I didn’t realize water was sitting in the container at the nursery. When I got it home and found it, I immediately repotted the plant in dry soil and didn’t water it. Two days later it beheaded itself and had rot. Should I have taken the plant out of the pot and let it air dry or was it already a lost cause? Thanks muchly- happy Labor Day!

When is the right time to water after the heat wave?

In a heat wave I know not to water in the middle of the day, best is in the night or early morning (before the sunrise) the plants take there water and have time to transfer to where it needs it, and you don't have wet plant in the sun witch will burn the plant, is that an rule that works on succulents as well ?

🌸 thank you 🙂

Loved this video. So much great information. I live in South East Florida. Lots of humidity here. I have finally figured out which succulents and cacti grow best here.

Beautiful!

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Hey no sound??

Good info

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Thank you for this little bit of respite Laura. My family was quickly evacuated and right in the line of fire in the Fairview fire tonight and some of our fur family members had to be left behind 😭 we don’t know if the house has burnt down or if the babies made it through with all the smoke. Your video is a little bit of stress relief amidst all my panic and worry. Stay safe out there in this heat.

New subscriber. You are very likable.