Sandra Jose

Succulents are “hardy plants” because they do not need too much attention. They are generally low-maintenance beauties. However, once they are overwatered it creates the potential for a whole host of problems.

Do succulents attract bugs?

Yes, succulents attract bugs if they are overwatered. The bugs are attracted to the moist soil and they will eventually make their way through to the succulents.  These pests could damage the plants since they feed on the sap of the leaves and may potentially kill them.

Bugs that are attracted to succulents

These are the bugs that are attracted to succulents:

1. Mealybugs 

Mealybugs are tiny and light brown or gray-colored.  If you notice white, cottony substances on your plants it means they are infested with these bugs. They also produce a sugary substance that attracts molds, further endangering your succulents since they become vulnerable to fungal and bacterial infections. 

How to treat:

Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and apply directly to the affected areas, especially on the white cottony substance. You can also spray rubbing alcohol directly onto the affected areas. Be sure to do this a few times since these bugs can be very stubborn.

Repeat the treatment several times and isolate the affected plants from the unharmed ones so the bugs won’t spread to the other succulents. 

2. Scales 

These bugs consist of armored and soft ones. If you see small brown bumps on your succulents it means these bugs are thriving in the plants. Scales like to feed on the sap of succulents which could lead to diseases.

How to treat:

Eradicate scales from your succulents by removing them by hand or scraping them off the affected areas. You can also place cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol and apply them directly to the affected areas.

3. Aphids

These pests commonly attack succulents by sucking the sap from the leaves and stems. They produce a sugary substance, making the plants more susceptible to mold. 

How to treat:

Spray aphids with a water and soap mixture and target the affected areas well. Some succulent growers also use neem oil by mixing one tablespoon of the oil with eight cups of water and spraying the mixture in the affected areas. Spray the neem oil mixture only during nighttime to avoid burning the plants. Repeat the process as necessary. 

4. Spider mites

These mites are very tiny and hardly noticeable. Affected succulents may turn almost white or silvery-colored since the mites suck the sap. 

How to treat:

Apply rubbing alcohol directly to the mites and affected areas or spray them with a mixture of water and alcohol. You can also use dish soap diluted in water and spray directly on the mites and affected areas. Make sure to repeat the process as necessary. You may have to repot the affected plants and see to it that you isolate the affected ones from the healthy succulents. 

5. Whiteflies

These pests like to feast on leafy succulents. They produce honeydew, which makes the affected plants highly susceptible to molds.

How to treat:

Dilute rubbing alcohol with water and spray on the flies. You can also use soapy water to get rid of the pests. Repeat the treatment as necessary until you can see favorable results. 

6. Fungus gnats 

These small flies infest soil, plants and sources of organic decomposition. They also like to feed on overwatered succulents. 

How to treat:

Minimize watering your succulents and change the soil or use fast-draining soil. To get rid of these pests, mix one part peroxide with four parts water and pour through the soil at the root zone until it appears at the base of the pot. The mixture kills fungus gnat larvae on contact.

7. Ants

Ants can be very harmful to your succulents and they also become attracted to the plants because of the sugary substance that the other pests and bugs produce. 

How to treat:

Spray insecticidal soap on the ants or you could use an alcohol and water mixture. Repeat the process until there is no visible presence of ants anymore. 

To prevent bugs and pests from invading your succulents, see to it that you do not overwater them. Let the soil dry out before watering and always place succulents in a bright and well-ventilated area. Use a good potting mix, deadhead yellow leaves and remove the wilted flowers regularly. 

Conclusion 

Succulents are commonly grown for their aesthetic features and quaint flowers despite being low-maintenance plants.  However, you still need to provide care and attention since they are also susceptible to bugs and diseases.

They can attract bugs if they are overwatered because moist areas are major attractants for bugs and pests. See to it that your plants are not overwatered, use good potting mix and place them in well-ventilated areas. 

Image: istockphoto.com / Ekaterina Prokosheva

An Echeveria stretching is a common but preventable problem. When your Echeveria stretches its stems look leggy, which means that you are not quite meeting its needs. Specifically, the succulent is stretching its stem because it is not getting sufficient sunlight.

Echeveria stretching explained

The main reason why your Echeveria is stretching itself is that it is not getting enough light.

Succulents have the reputation of being slow growers. However, if you notice that your plant is growing unusually tall, it means that it is etiolating or stretching. Some succulents are more prone to stretch than others.

Initially, an etiolated succulent develops longer stems, while the space between the leaves becomes more noticeable. If you look closely at the leaves, they are smaller in size and do not have the color typically associated with healthy plants.

Additionally, the leaves curl downward to increase their surface area. By increasing their surface area, the leaves attempt to get as much light as they can get.

At around this point, it is easier to correct the problem and prevent long term damage. All you have to do is to move your plant to a sunnier location.

Alternatively, you can put your plant under a grow light if you do not have a spot in your home that can provide adequate sunlight to your Echeveria.

If the plant is kept in the same spot, it will start to lean toward a light source. At this point, the plant focuses all of its energy toward survival. You will notice that it barely produces new leaf growth.

Can etiolation kill your Echeveria?

Etiolation is not necessarily a death sentence for your Echeveria. In fact, a stretching Echeveria can live one to two years when placed in a low light location. However, your plant will look unhealthy and cannot reach its full potential. And although it is possible to rehabilitate an etiolated succulent, you cannot reverse the long term damage.

Fixing your stretched Echeveria

When your Echeveria has become too leggy, you cannot do anything to restore it to its compact form.

The next best thing that you can do is to propagate your succulent. Here are the steps that you need to undertake.

Step 1

Using a sharp pair of scissors, cut the crown of the succulent. Be sure to leave one to two inches on the base of the stem and two to three leaves.

Your succulent will have a better chance at rehabilitation if you leave enough leaves to absorb sunlight. The base can grow new offshoots but it will take a long time. 

Step 2

Next, allow your cuttings to dry and callus over. You will know when your cuttings are ready to be planted when you see calluses or scabs develop on the ends of the stem.

Step 3

Plant the callused end of the stem into the soil. After planting the stem, water your plant.

Unlike mature plants, cuttings need to be watered more frequently, just until they begin to fully develop their roots. Do not go overboard with the watering. Just water the cuttings a little more than you would a mature plant.

The stem will not rot as long as you use a well-draining potting mix.

The cutting will develop roots anywhere between a couple of days to three weeks. Once the new plant develops its root system, you can water it deeply but infrequently, the same way that you would water your mature plants.

Caring for the original plant

As for the base of the original plant, continue caring for it as you would usually do.

After a few weeks, it will grow new offshoots while the leaves that you left on the stem will eventually die out. Do not worry about these old leaves.

Adequate sunlight is essential

You can attempt to save your Echeveria through propagation but all your efforts will result in nothing if you cannot meet its lighting requirements.

If the cuttings and the original plant do not receive adequate sunlight, it is highly likely that you will need to deal with etiolation later on.

Before attempting to propagate your Echeveria, you should first find a sunny spot inside your home.

If you cannot find an area in your home that provides enough sunlight for your succulent, you should strongly consider buying a grow light.

Indoors, Echeverias should be placed either in a south or west-facing window where it can get the most amount of sunlight.

You can put your succulent directly on the windowsill or on top of the furniture next to the window.

Prevention is better than the cure

When an Echeveria stretches, it means that it is not getting enough sunlight. Fortunately, it will tell you that it needs more sunlight. If you keep a watchful eye on your plant, you will notice when your succulent is deprived of sunlight.

Although etiolation does not directly cause the death of an Echeveria, it can cause long term damage that you cannot do much to correct. Your only recourse would be to propagate your succulent and then make sure that your new plants get enough sunlight to prevent stretching from happening again.

Or as the adage goes, prevention is better than the cure.

Image: istockphoto.com / S J Kehl