The Impact of Water on Succulent Health and Growth: Why Water Quality Matters

An often-overlooked factor in succulent care is water quality—a critical element that can make or break our succulents health.

Poor water quality can lead to salt buildup, nutrient deficiencies, root damage, and even create predisposition for rot, all of which compromise our succulents ability to grow, root, flower and generally thrive.

Here in the greenhouse, summer is an especially important time when it comes to watering. With our hot summers causing plants to dry out quickly, we sometimes water up to once a week. For years, we used well water for our hoses without giving it much thought. However, we started noticing some troubling signs: poor rooting, dead roots, and a general lack of vigor in some plants.

With all other greenhouse conditions ideal for Echeveria, we decided to have our soil tested. What we found was surprising. Our soil had elevated levels of sodium—a result of the well water softener introducing toxic amounts of sodium into our irrigation water, which accumulated in the soil and affected our succulents’ health.

Realizing the impact of water quality, we want to share our experience to help you avoid similar problems. Below you can see the copy of our report showing the elevated levels of sodium.

How We Fixed the Problem

To resolve the issue, we installed a rain barrel and began using rainwater for our succulents. Using rainwater has changed how we grow our succulents. Rainwater is naturally soft, free from harmful additives, and most importantly free from salt making it an ideal choice for our plants.

What You Can Do to Ensure Quality Water for Your Succulents

If you suspect water quality issues or want to be proactive, here are some steps you can take:

1. Test Your Water
   Have your water tested for mineral content, salt content, and contaminants. Local agricultural extensions or universities often offer soil and water testing services and some hardware stores offer water testing for free.

2. Check for Chlorine and Chloramine 

   Many municipal water supplies contain chlorine or chloramine to disinfect drinking water. While safe for humans, these chemicals can harm soil microbes or burn soil roots causing an entry point for rot or other pests. Chlorine is fairly unstable and will gradually evaporate from water so leaving a bucket filled overnight can make tap water more suitable for succulents.

3. Use Filtered or Rainwater
   Rainwater is an excellent option for succulents. If you can collect rainwater, make the switch! Its beyond worth it. If rain collection isn’t feasible, filtered or distilled water can also work well.

4. Avoid Softened Water
   If you have a water softener, consider bypassing it when watering plants or use an alternative water source. As we learned firsthand, softened water often contains excess sodium, which can accumulate in the soil and harm plants over time.

5. Leach the Soil
   If salt buildup has already occurred, you can flush the soil with clean water to remove excess salts. Be sure your potting mix and containers allow for proper drainage.

6. Monitor Your Plants
   Watch for signs of stress such as poor rooting, discoloration, or stunted growth. These can often be early indicators of water-related issues.

Final Thoughts

Watering isn’t just about how much and how often—it’s about what kind of water you’re using. As our experience with sodium buildup taught us, water quality plays a vital role in the health of our succulents. By taking steps to ensure your plants receive the right kind of water, you can avoid potential problems and help your succulents thrive.