So water them when you touch the soil and feel that its bit dry. You need to protect them by providing shade. If bright shade isn’t an option, artificial light is the next best thing. They require some direct sun and more light than is generally available indoors. Most grow best in natural sunlight, while others perform better in bright, indirect sunlight. But if they are planted in full sunlight then one should water more often as they absorb heat and will get dry much faster. Or, if you’re of the DIY persuasion, amend a … Something I learned though is they don’t like direct sunlight in the heat of the summer when they are outside. If left under the scourging sun, there’s a high chance that the succulents will get burned and eventually die. Kalanchoe succulents need bright sunny locations to thrive well. If you want your succulents and cacti to have that brilliant coloration, it’s as simple as sticking them out in direct sunlight. A lot of succulents, whether they’re kept indoors or outdoors, will do well in a spot that receives direct light in the early part of the day and in the late afternoon. Answer: Truly, it depends on the succulent. You can solve this dilemma by creating and planting them in an uncovered, open dish garden. Agave, Crassula, Kalanchoe, Opuntia, Sedum and Yucca usually develop better foliage color and flowers with direct sun at least part of the day. Direct light will create extremely high temperatures in a terrarium, cooking and burning your plants. Indirect sunlight is usually better, especially during the summer and during those weeks between seasons when the temperatures change drastically from one day to the next. Some succulents will grow and thrive without being in direct sun but, unfortunately, they are in the minority, and they will need bright, indirect light. Succulents love the sun, but they don’t want to get burned. They are very prone to sunburn.Rather, if they are outside put them somewhere they will receive some shade and stay relatively cool. Well, most succulent varieties need at least 4-8 hours of direct sunlight, whether placed outdoors or on a window sill. An excess of exceptional daylight can make harm to the plants. Use a fast-draining cactus mix. Watch the leaves for indications that the light level is correct. We suggest morning light (especially for smaller plants) because it is softer than the harsh afternoon sun which may cause sunburn to the delicate leaves. Succulents have evolved to respond to climate changes that occur over seasons, not hours. They will grow and reproduce as normal, but will stay green unless they receive more sunlight. Being out of the direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day is usually best. I've found that different species can tolerate different amounts of light, but most of my plants tend to suffer in extended periods of direct sunlight. They do well when planted under full sun to partial shade. Most succulents require 3 hours of direct sun each day – outdoors or in a window Morning sun is best as the afternoon sun can be harsh and cause damage to the plant During the summertime in hot climates, the harsh sun should be filtered to protect your succulents Succulents can get sun-burnt and acquire scarring on their leaves Beginners often ask me ‘how much light do succulents need’. Succulents do need sunlight but they cannot withstand full sun throughout the day. Water: succulents generally do not need much water as they store lot of it in its leaves. Rotate Succulents Frequently. How Much Sun Do Succulents Need? The ZZ plant and the snake plant are both species that are able to grow happily in the shade. As a general rule, species with hairs , very strong spines or a large number of them, require full sun; while species with few spines and succulents require some shade. Morning light is good with a bright shade in the afternoon. If you are growing your plants indoors, position them on a south-facing window to help them access bright light. A great place to start is with succulents that are naturally green. My healthiest plants are outside on window sills where they are protected from direct sunlight by small over hangs. They typically need about 6 hours of sunlight each day. Sunlight levels change by season and during weather. Some succulents do well in direct sunlight; they flourish well in outdoor environments and require more than 8 hours of sunshine. Common succulents that are considered trailing or “spillers” are some species of senecio, ceropegia, sedum and othonna. After a couple of weeks, you should see their true colors come through (if they are indeed a color-changing variety). That’s especially true for mostly enclosed terrariums. 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