If you’re a succulent enthusiast, you may have noticed that your succulent’s leaves are turning red.
This can be alarming, especially if you’re not sure what’s causing it. Fortunately, there are several reasons why succulents turn red, and most of them are easily fixable.
One of the most common reasons why succulents turn red is due to overexposure to bright, direct sunlight. This can cause stress on the plant, which can result in a change of color.
Other reasons include poor soil quality, temperature stress, and pest or fungal infections. Understanding the cause of your succulent’s red leaves is the first step in fixing the issue.
If you’re wondering how to fix your succulent that is turning red, don’t worry. There are several ways to remedy the problem, depending on the cause.
For example, if your succulent is getting too much sun, you can move it to a shadier area.
If it’s due to poor soil quality, you can repot it with a better soil mix. By taking the appropriate steps, you can help your succulent return to its natural color and thrive.
Key Takeaways
- Succulents turn red due to several reasons, including overexposure to sunlight, poor soil quality, and temperature stress.
- The first step in fixing a succulent that is turning red is to determine the cause.
- Remedies for red succulents include moving them to a shadier area, repotting with better soil, and treating pests or fungal infections.
Why Is My Succulent Turning Red?
Succulents are beautiful and resilient plants that are easy to care for, but sometimes they can turn red without warning. In this section, we will discuss some of the most common reasons why your succulent may be turning red and how to fix the problem.
Too Much Sun
One of the most common reasons why succulents turn red is due to excessive sunlight exposure. While succulents need sunlight to grow healthy and maintain their shape, too much sun exposure can bring stress to your plants.
This stress can cause the plant to produce pigments like anthocyanins and carotenoids, which can cause the leaves to turn red, orange, or yellow.
To fix this problem, move your succulent to a location with less direct sunlight and provide it with some shade during the hottest hours of the day. You can also use a grow light to provide indirect sunlight to your succulent.
Temperature Stress
Succulents are adapted to survive in extreme conditions, but they can still be stressed by temperature extremes.
Cold temperatures can cause your succulent to wilt and turn red, while intense sunlight and heat can cause sunburn and damage to the leaves.
To prevent temperature stress, make sure your succulent is in a location with moderate temperatures and avoid exposing it to extreme conditions. You can also protect your succulent from cold temperatures by bringing it indoors during the winter months.
Underwatering
Succulents are drought-tolerant plants that can survive with minimal water, but they still need moisture to thrive.
Underwatering can cause your succulent to turn red and weaken over time.
To fix this problem, make sure you are watering your succulent regularly and on a consistent schedule.
Succulents prefer well-draining soil, so make sure your soil mix allows for proper drainage and does not retain too much moisture.
Nutrition Deficiency
Succulents need nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus to grow and maintain their color.
A lack of nutrients can cause your succulent to turn red or yellow and weaken over time.
To fix this problem, fertilize your succulent with a balanced fertilizer every few months. You can also add some succulent soil to your plant to provide additional nutrients and improve drainage.
Wrong Type of Soil
Succulents prefer well-draining soil that allows for proper airflow and moisture retention. Using the wrong type of soil or soil mix can cause your succulent to turn red and weaken over time.
To fix this problem, make sure you are using a soil mix that is specifically designed for succulents. These mixes usually contain sand or clay to improve drainage and moisture retention.
How to Fix Succulent That Is Turning Red?
If you notice your succulent turning red, don’t panic. There are several things you can do to help your succulent regain its green color and maintain its health. Here are some tips to help you fix your succulent that is turning red.
Adjust Watering Frequency
One of the most common reasons why succulents turn red is due to overwatering or underwatering. Succulents are drought-tolerant plants and can store water in their leaves, stems, and roots. However, too much moisture can lead to root rot and stress, causing the leaves to turn red or yellow.
To fix your succulent, adjust your watering frequency and amount. Water your succulent only when the soil is completely dry. Use a well-draining succulent soil mix and a pot with drainage holes to prevent water from sitting in the soil.
Place the Succulent in Indirect Sunlight
Succulents need sunlight exposure to grow healthy and maintain their shape. However, too much exposure to direct sunlight can cause sunburn and stress, leading to red or orange pigments in the leaves.
To fix your succulent, place it in indirect sunlight or partial shade. If you are growing your succulent outdoors, provide some shade during the hottest part of the day. If you are growing your succulent indoors, place it near a window with filtered light or use a grow light.
Place Succulent Indoors in Case of Extreme Temperatures Outside
Succulents are resilient plants that can survive in a wide range of temperatures. However, extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, can stress your succulent, causing the leaves to turn red or yellow.
To fix your succulent, place it indoors in case of extreme temperatures outside. If you are growing your succulent outdoors, move it to a sheltered area or bring it indoors during extreme weather conditions.
Re Pot the Succulent with Right Soil Mix
Succulents need well-draining soil to prevent water from sitting in the roots and causing rot. If your succulent is turning red due to poor soil, it may be time to repot it with the right soil mix.
To fix your succulent, repot it with a well-draining succulent soil mix. Use a pot with drainage holes and add a layer of sand or perlite to the bottom of the pot to improve drainage.
Use Balanced Fertilizer for Succulents
Succulents need nutrients to grow and maintain their health. However, too much or too little fertilizer can stress your succulent, causing the leaves to turn red or yellow.
To fix your succulent, use a balanced fertilizer for succulents. Look for a fertilizer with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Fertilize your succulent once a month during the growing season and reduce fertilization during the winter months.
Also, you can check similar Succulent problems:
- Succulent Turning White
- Succulent Turning Black
- Succulent Turning Pink
- Succulent Turning Purple
- Succulent Turning Light Green
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is My Succulent Turning Red?
Succulents can turn red due to several reasons, including sunburn, temperature stress, overwatering, underwatering, nutrient deficiency, pest or fungal infection, and induced stress. Red leaves on succulents can also be a natural response to environmental changes or a sign of maturity.
How Do You Fix Red Leaves on Succulents?
The first step in fixing red leaves on succulents is to identify the underlying cause. If the redness is due to sunburn, move the plant to a shaded area. If it’s due to temperature stress, adjust the plant’s location to a more suitable temperature. Overwatering or underwatering can also cause redness, so make sure to water your succulent appropriately. If the redness is due to nutrient deficiency, consider adding a fertilizer to the soil. If the plant is infected by pests or fungus, treat it with an appropriate pesticide or fungicide.
What Do Red Leaves on Succulent Mean?
Red leaves on succulents can mean a variety of things. In some cases, it is a natural response to environmental changes or a sign of maturity. In other cases, it can be a sign of stress or damage caused by sunburn, temperature stress, overwatering, underwatering, nutrient deficiency, or pest or fungal infection.
Is It Bad If My Succulent Turned Red?
Whether or not redness is bad for your succulent depends on the underlying cause. If the redness is due to natural causes or maturity, it is not harmful to the plant. However, if it is due to stress or damage caused by environmental factors or infection, it can be harmful to the plant’s health.
Do Succulents Turn Red in the Sun?
Succulents can turn red in the sun as a natural response to protect themselves from sunburn. However, too much direct sunlight can cause stress and damage to the plant. It is essential to provide your succulent with the right amount of sunlight to prevent redness caused by sunburn.
