So you bought a cute rosette shaped succulent from the nursery and decide to keep it on your desk. A few weeks pass, and it is now unrecognizable! Your succulent is becoming “leggy” and long, losing it’s pretty shape, and leaning sideways towards the window. This is called etiolation and occurs when your succulent does not receive enough light. If you notice your succulent growing tall, here is how you can fix etiolation and keep your succulents small and compact.
Etiolation
Signs of etiolation include:
- Longer spaces in between leaves
- Leaves that point downwards and stretch
- Paler green leaves
- Stem tipping towards light source
- Aerial roots growing off the tall stem to help stabilize the plant
Etiolation means your plant has grown “leggy” and now has a longer and more spaced out stem. This occurs when your succulent does not have sufficient light, causing it to stretch towards a light source. You may have noticed your succulent growing sideways towards the window- that is because it senses more light there.
Succulents with insufficient light will also turn paler green because the leaves lack chlorophyll. If your succulent was a bright pink, purple, red or yellow color, you may notice the leaves changing color.
Etiolation is a common problem, especially for beginner gardeners who may not be aware of their succulent’s high light requirements.
What causes etiolation?
Plants have hormones called auxins, which play an important role in growth and development. During etiolation, auxins will activate enzymes that break the normal cell wall structure and allow the cell to expand, resulting in a taller plant.
Other factors causing etiolation
While etiolation is most commonly due to insufficient light, factors such as temperature and watering affect it as well.
Warmer temperatures and frequent watering make the plant think that it is in it’s growing season, encouraging it to produce new, taller growth. Decreasing your watering frequency and slightly reducing the temperature can trick the plant into thinking it is in dormancy, slowing down etiolation.
Is etiolation harmful?
Etiolation is a natural phenomenon. Although etiolation’s cosmetic changes are undesirable, it is not a harmful process.
As long as succulents receive some sunlight, they will continue to grow and probably will not die in low light. Worst case, your succulent may develop stability issues from it’s long, thin stem and top-heavy leaves.
Etiolation or normal growth?
Of course, it is important to distinguish between actual etiolation and normal, healthy growth of a succulent.
If your succulent still has normal shaped leaves, vibrant colors, and no long gaps on the stem, it is probably normal growth. On the other hand, paler green colors and spaced out leaves are signs of etiolation.
How to save etiolated succulents
As you would imagine, the solution to etiolation is providing your plant with more light. Slowly transition your plant into a brighter over a few days (explained more down below). This will ensure the new, top growth is compact.
Unfortunately, once a succulent is etiolated, the bottom leaves will not shrink back into their compact rosette shape, even after receiving more light. However, you can behead the top compact growth and start a new plant (don’t worry, this is not as scary as it sounds).
To save a stretched out succulent, follow these steps:
- Take a pair of sharp garden shears and cut 1.5 inches below the rosettes stem, right where it is shown in the picture.
- Leave the stem out to dry for 3 days. Do not get the open area wet- this is an “open wound” and you want to give your plant time to heal. You will notice the cutting start to callous where it was cut after a few days, which means it is time to plant.
- Take a small pot filled with well-draining potting soil. Place your cutting about an inch deep in the soil and pat soil around to keep it secure. Do not chose a pot that is too large, because the extra soil stays wet and will drown the plant.
- Water your cuttings a week after potting. This gives them time to stabilize in their new environment. Keep the pot in an area with bright, filtered light.
- After a few weeks, new roots will grow!
Learn more about succulent propagation here
Move your new succulent to an area with more sunlight, so that it does not stretch out again. South-facing windows are best for most succulents because they provide the brightest light. If you do not have anywhere brighter to move your plant, consider buying a grow light to supplement the sun they are receiving from the window.
This is especially important for the winter, when natural light is even more limited.
How to save etiolated cactus plants
A cactus is etiolated if the new top growth is skinny and tall.
Fixing an etiolated cactus is similar to fixing an etiolated succulent. Take a clean knife and cut below the skinny growth. Allow the cutting to scar for a few days.
Once calloused, plant the cutting in well-draining potting soil. Wait a week before watering. Provide it with bright, filtered light.
Provide your new cactus and succulent cuttings with more light than they were receiving previously, to prevent etiolation from occurring again.
How do I keep my succulents small?
In general, succulents grown indoors are more prone to etiolation, but succulents grown outside in areas of shade are also susceptible.
To make sure your succulent gets the light it needs, place it near a window that receives at least 6 hours of bright light. Ideally, you want to place your succulent in a South-facing window. Avoid dark corners that do not receive light.
While you want your plant to receive plenty of light and be close to a window, make sure that the leaves are not directly touching the window surface – this can burn them.
Grow Light
If you find that your succulents are not receiving enough light even next to your brightest window, consider buying a grow light to supplement the light received.
There are fortunately several small and inexpensive grow lights available, so you can find one that is not too bulky and fits your needs.
Chose the appropriate species
Some types of succulents will etiolate less than others. If you live somewhere with low light, check out these 6 succulents that will grow well in a windowless room.
In general, brightly colored rosette-shaped succulents, such as Echeverias, Graptopetalums or Sempervium, require several hours of bright light to maintain their vibrant hues. They can still be grown indoors, but I have found that they require a grow light or a really bright window to truly thrive.
Rotate your succulent
You may have noticed your succulent slanting towards it’s light source. For even succulent growth, rotate the pot every few days so that each side receives an equal amount of sun and to prevent slanting.
Sunburn
Although etiolated succulents require more light, be careful when moving your plant to a brighter area. Suddenly transitioning your plant from shade to full sun will cause sunburned leaves, which show up as brown, calloused spots.
Unfortunately, once burned, the leaf cannot go back to it’s original color. The only way to remove sunburn is for the damaged leaves to grow out.
To avoid sunburn, gradually ease your succulent into an area with more sun over over a few days to help it transition. Increase the light it is exposed to slowly. If you notice brown spots appearing, the adjustment was too fast and should be slowed down.
That is what you should do when you notice your succulent growing tall
That was everything you needed to know about succulent etiolation, and what to do when your succulent is growing tall. Have you had any success with fixing your etiolated succulent? Still have questions? Let me know down below!
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