If you notice your succulents dropping leaves, it's essential to distinguish between normal leaf drop and excessive leaf loss. It's normal for the leaves at the bottom of succulents to wither and fall off as part of their growth process. This natural phenomenon is not a cause for concern; it reflects the aging of the plant and can help promote stronger stems. This process can lead to beautiful formations, such as succulent trees or cliff piles.

However, continuous leaf dropping—where leaves fall off even when touched or where many leaves are dropping from the plant—indicates that your succulent may be unhealthy and requires intervention.

In the following sections, I will discuss the reasons for leaf drop, how to identify the causes, and how to address each situation effectively.

Why are my succulent leaves falling off? How To Fix It?

Cause 01: Insufficient Light

How to Check: Assess the lighting conditions of the environment in which your succulents are situated. Indicators of inadequate light include elongated growth and leaves with pale green coloration.

Solution: Gradually increase the light exposure for the succulents and monitor any changes in leaf drop. If the overall shape of the succulent has suffered significantly, it may be prudent to consider propagation as a viable solution.

You may wonder: How to Fix Leggy / Etiolated Succulents

Cause 02: Overwatering

How to Check:

1. Review your watering habits and practices.
2. Check if the potting soil of the succulents is frequently soaked in water.
3. Assess whether the potting soil has become compacted, resulting in poor drainage.
4. Look for signs that the succulents are becoming transparent, mushy, or rotten.
5. Ensure that the flower pot has drainage holes and that the holes are not blocked.
6. Evaluate the ventilation in the environment where the succulents are growing.

Solution: It is essential to ensure the potting soil is completely dry before watering your succulents. Once the soil is dry, you can water the plants adequately. Generally, watering once a week is sufficient. Watering too frequently can lead to consistently wet soil, which can suffocate the roots and hinder nutrient absorption. This can cause the succulents to lose leaves or even melt and rot.

Therefore, adjusting your watering habits is the first step toward maintaining healthy plants. If you already follow these guidelines, ensure that your soil and pot allow for good drainage. If the soil becomes compacted or the pot lacks drainage holes, immediately make the necessary changes. These steps will help prevent leaf drop in your succulents.

Cause 03: Pest disease

How to check: If succulents are infested with spider mites, you will notice dense white spots on the leaves. Aphids, which are small green or black insects, also target succulents as feed. Additionally, you may find white residues in the gaps between the leaves.

Solution: When dealing with pest problems, the first step is to isolate the affected succulent plants from others. After rinsing the succulent plants, dilute neem oil with warm water at 1:500 and spray it on the plants. This solution can effectively alleviate the issue and help prevent leaves from falling off. Regular inspections and appropriate pesticides for prevention and control are also essential.

If you want to learn more about Succulent Pests Solution, click How to Use Neem Oil on Your Succulents and Cactus.

Cause 04: Over-Fertilization

How to Check: After fertilizing your succulents, look for signs of over-fertilization. If you notice white powdery crystals forming on the surface of the potting soil, or if the leaves of the succulents start to turn an abnormal yellow, become soft, or if the plants grow excessively but have thin, elongated stems and lose their attractive shape, these may be indicators. Additionally, if leaves fall off when touched, that's another sign.

Solution: To address this issue, wash the succulents and their potting soil. Typically, rinsing the potting soil with water twice will significantly reduce the fertilizer and organic matter. Afterward, the succulents in this treated soil will be replanted to help restore their health. Alternatively, you can use a new soil mixture that contains more inorganic components to replant your succulents.

Cause 05：Extreme Temperature: High and Low Temperatures

How to Check: It is essential to safeguard succulents against extreme temperatures, as these plants are particularly sensitive to variations in their environmental conditions. Most succulents thrive optimally within a temperature range of 5℃ to 25℃ (41℉ to 77℉). Succulents may exhibit leaf drop when temperatures deviate too significantly from this range. Utilizing a temperature detector can effectively assist in monitoring the surrounding temperature of these succulent plants.

Solution:

1. Protection Measures During High Temperatures

Shading: When temperatures exceed 30°C/86℉, provide succulents with some shade. You can use a shade net or relocate the plants to a semi-shaded area.

Increase Air Circulation: Ensure good ventilation to help lower the surrounding temperature and prevent the growth of pathogens.

Reduce Watering: High temperatures can accelerate water evaporation, but excessive watering may lead to root rot.

Avoid Fertilization: Do not fertilize succulents during hot weather, as this can damage the succulents.

2. Protection Measures for Succulents During Low Temperatures

Keep Warm: In anticipation of frost or when temperatures fall below 5°C (41°F), it is advisable to relocate succulents indoors or to a greenhouse to provide a more suitable temperature.

Covering: For outdoor succulents that cannot be relocated, consider lightly covering them with the plant's warm cloth cover. It is essential to remove the covering during daylight hours, especially on sunny days, to allow the plants to absorb sunlight.

Limit Watering: Minimize watering during cold seasons, particularly as temperatures approach freezing. Excess moisture can freeze and potentially cause damage to the root system.

Choose Cold-Resistant Varieties: Before planting, evaluate local climate conditions and select succulent, highly adaptable, and relatively cold-resistant varieties.

You may wonder: Soft Succulents & Hardy Succulents

Cause 06: Changes in the Environment

How to Check: Sudden changes in the growth environment of succulents can lead to leaf loss. This often occurs with newly purchased succulents or when potted succulents are relocated to a different living space. 

Solution: It's important to note that once the leaves of succulents fall off, new leaves will not grow back from the exact location. The potential for the succulent to develop new buds is contingent upon the condition of the exposed stems and the health of the root system.

If you're interested in how to help succulents adapt to a new environment, this blog can provide detailed guidance. Click Why newly arrived succulents get ugly.

How to Prevent Succulents from Losing Leaves

1. Choose the Right Location: Place your succulents in an area with plenty of light and good ventilation. If you use supplemental lighting during the winter, ensure adequate ventilation.

2. Use Well-Draining Soil and Pots: It is essential to plant succulents in soil and pots that provide good drainage to prevent root rot.

3. Follow Proper Watering Habits: Learn to observe your succulents' needs when they are low on water. Consider using wooden chopsticks or a moisture meter to check the soil's moisture level before watering.

4. Facilitating Adaptation Periods: When adjusting the maintenance environment, use gentle transition techniques instead of drastic changes. Be patient as your succulents undergo their regrowth phase after losing leaves.

5. Regular Maintenance: Be sure to repot your succulents periodically. Don't forget to fertilize and check for pests regularly.

About fertilizing succulents, this blog might be helpful: How to Fertilize Succulents Scientifically.