Succulents are diverse plants, whose leaves can be many different, bright colors. In the span of a few days, succulents can turn a wide range of different shades, from pale green to bright red or purple, depending on environmental factors. You may have already noticed that a succulent you recently brought home has changed color dramatically in just a few weeks. Find out more about why succulent leaves turn red, yellow, purple, or other bright colors, and how to change the color of succulents.
Stressing Succulents
You may have heard the term “stressing succulents” used to describe the process of changing a succulent’s color from green to something brighter, such as red, purple or yellow. Maybe a colorful pink succulent you brought home turned green, or a succulent developed red/pink tips when you put it in the sun. Succulents can change color back and forth depending on the environment they are kept in.
While “stressing” succulents may sound harmful to the plant, it is not. Succulents in the wild are constantly being exposed to natural stressors. Succulents are able to grow in tougher environments that are unsuitable for many other types of plants, such as in dry, hot deserts or in rocky, mountainous regions. Because of this, they are very adaptable and hardy.
Mimicking these extreme conditions will help bring out these stress colors. Stressing succulents will bring out the bright colors they are capable of, due to the pigments they contain.
Many people try to stress succulents on purpose to bring out the pretty shades these plants are capable of. It is up to you if you want to stress your succulent, or if you are okay with the green look. Before stressing your succulent, it is important to check that it is able to change color in the first place. Some succulents will not change color even when stressed. See a list of common succulents that can be stressed later in the article.
Pigments
How exactly do succulents change color so easily? Succulents have several pigments in their leaves. These pigments are their natural defense to protect from extreme heat and light, similar to how our skin tans to protect us from UV light. When succulents are stressed, these pigments come out even more, giving succulents their brightly colored look. The main pigments at work are:
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is a green pigment that absorbs energy from sunlight for the plant to use in photosynthesis.
Find out more about the role of chlorophyll in variegated plants
Carotenoids
Carotenoids are yellow, orange and red pigments. They also color many other plants, such as carrots, tomatoes, and daffodils. Carotenoids appear in larger quantities when plants are put in bright sunlight, because they protect them from UV light and harsh, hot temperatures.
Anthocyanins
Anythocyanins are pigments that may appear red, purple, blue or black. Anthocyanins are seen in foods such as blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. Anthocyanins are synthesized as protection against plants in extreme temperatures and excess sunlight.
Changing the Color of Succulents
Succulents will turn bright colors when exposed to extreme conditions, including:
- Bright sunlight
- Less water
- High and low temperatures
- Fertilization
- Poor soil
- Root bound succulents
If you want to stress your succulents, you will need to change one of these environmental factors to bring out their colors.
Bright Sunlight
If your succulent is under a grow light or near a bright window, you may have already noticed a change in the color of your plant. Bright sun can cause some plants to develop bright pink or red tips, or even change the entire leaf color.
However, you cannot move your succulent directly into bright sun if it is currently in the shade, because the leaves could sunburn. Burn will show up as brown spots or “crispy” leaves and does not fade away. You will have to transition your plant to more light over 1 to 2 weeks.
Slowly increase the sun your plant receives each day, so it has time to adapt and does not burn. Transitioning to sun over a few days gives your plant time to produce more pigment to help protect itself. Pay close attention to your succulent for signs of sunburn, so that you can catch it early and relocate it somewhere with less sun.
South facing windows are best at providing bright sun for your succulent to thrive. If you do not have a south facing window, or your succulent in a south facing window has not changed colors after a few weeks, the light may not be enough to stress your plant.
In that case, you could buy a grow light to supplement the light your succulent receives. Transition your succulent to the grow light over a few days, just as you would if you were placing it in bright sun.
Once properly transitioned to bright sun, it is not harmful for your plant. However, you want to avoid sun stressing cuttings, baby plants (pups), or plants recovering from infestation, because these plants tend to require less sun than their healthier and fully-grown counterparts.
In particular, bright sun is good for stretched out succulents that have lost their compact rosette shape and reverted back to a green color. These are all signs that your succulent is not receiving enough sunlight (etiolation). While more sunlight cannot shrink the stem back to it’s original shape, it can make the new growth compact and the make the leaves a brighter color.
Learn more about etiolation here
Less Water
Since succulents are native to the desert, they enjoy periods of drought in between watering.
In the summer, water your succulents once every 1.5 to 2 weeks, making sure the top few inches of soil are completely dry before watering. In the winter, decrease the watering frequency to about once a month.
When it is time to water, pour until you see water come out of the drainage hole (if your pot has one). Then, do not water again for another week or two and allow the soil to completely dry out before soaking the soil again.
Learn more about how to water succulents
High or Low Temperatures
You may have noticed your succulent changing color if left outside during the hot summer or cold winter months. Certain succulents, such as Sempervium, Aeonium or Sedum are able to tolerate lower temperatures of 40 °F (4 °C). These plants may start developing red tips in mid autumn to winter in their native habitat. This is part of the normal seasonal cycle of the plant.
Check that your succulent is cold hardy before exposing it to low temperatures. Many succulents are not tolerant of frost or snow and will die if exposed for too long.
If you are keeping your succulent in the cold, it is especially important to keep the soil dry. Cold temperatures and wet soil is a recipe for root rot.
Very hot temperatures can also stress succulents. Many succulents are able to tolerate hotter climates. You may have to slightly increase your watering frequency if your succulent is in the heat.
It is important to transition your plant into these extremes- do not move it directly outside in the heat or cold. Immediately increasing the temperature without transition can burn your succulent, and immediately decreasing the temperature can cause frost bite if your plant does not have time to adapt.
After a few days, you will notice color changes.
Fertilization
When succulents are not fertilized regularly, you may notice color changes. Do not fertilize your succulent if you want to stress it.
In general, succulents do not require that much fertilizer, as they are quite hardy. When stressing your plant, do not fertilize it because that can cause it to revert back to a green color.
Poor Soil
Succulents planted in a nutrient-poor soil may also change color. Succulents do not need a rich potting mix to thrive. In their native habitat, they are often found growing among rocks and gravel.
Do not plant your succulent in normal houseplant soil, as this can be too dense for succulents and does not dry out fast enough. I mix succulent soil and perlite in a 70:30 ratio, and find this is a well-draining mix that keeps my succulents happy. You can also add sand, clay or a gravel mix if you want extra drainage.
Root Bound Succulents
When succulents become root bound, they have reached the limit of root growth in their pot. Their roots become a tight clump because there is nowhere to grow further. Being root bound is a form of succulent stress that can change their color.
You may let your succulent become root bound to bring out it’s unique shades. Root bound plants will grow slower than normal, and change the color of their leaves from the stress. However, not all succulents enjoy being root bound so if your plant appears unhealthy, move it to a larger pot.
How to Properly Stress your Succulent
While stressed succulents are pretty, you do not want to stress them year-round. In general, stressing for a few months each year is fine, if done correctly.
A healthy stressed plant will maintain it’s shape and size, with only the color of it’s leaves changing. If notice that your succulents leaves are shriveling, changing shape, burned, or developing black tips, these are signs your succulent is badly stressed and unhappy. If this is the case, move your succulent somewhere that is less harsh, and begin to water more.
Be aware: Red shaded leaves and stems could also signal a pest infestation, especially if the leaves are misshapen and the plant’s growth is disfigured. In this case, your plant is being harmed. Carefully examine the succulent for any signs of pests, and take care of them if you do.
Succulents That Change Color
Before you start experimenting with stressing your succulents, it is important to make sure your succulent is capable of changing colors. There are several plants that cannot change, even in drastic conditions. In this case, there is no point of stressing your plant because it will not change color.
Some succulents that can change color when stressed include:
Some succulents may remain green, regardless of what conditions they are exposed to. In this case, if you notice the leaves of your plant are turning a different color, it is definitely a sign to pay more attention to your plant because something is not right.
Check that your individual plant can change color before trying it out.
How to Differentiate Good Succulent Color Change from Bad
Not all succulent color change is good. Learn more about the signs to differentiate good color change from bad, so you know when to help out your plant.
Brown Leaves on Succulent
Brown spots on the leaves are often a sign of sunburn. Did your succulent recently receive brighter light than it was used to?
Unfortunately, once sunburn appears, it does not fade away. It is gone when the plant grows new leaves and the old, burned leaves fall off. If only one or two leaves are burned, you could remove them if you do not like how your plant looks.
Move your plant somewhere with less intense sun, and slowly transition it from there.
Black Leaves on Succulent
Succulents such as Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’ and Echeveria ‘Black Prince’ are naturally black when stressed.
However, if your succulent is not supposed to be black, or you notice only the stem or a few leaves are turning black and mushy, this could be a sign of root rot.
This is most likely due to over watering. If you see black leaves, it may be too late to save your succulent. If the rot is limited, try to un-pot your plant and let it dry out. Re-pot in well-draining soil and cut back on watering. If the damage is extensive, try to behead the top of the plant away from the rot, or remove the healthy looking leaves so you can propagate them.
Learn more about preventing and fixing succulent root rot
Yellow Leaves on Succulent
Succulents such as Sedum adolphii, Aeonium ‘sunburst’, and certain Echeverias will turn a beautiful, bright yellow when stressed. Healthy yellow leaves will appear full, opaque, and may develop red tips.
When yellow succulent leaves turn translucent, wrinkly, and bump off easily with a slight touch, it is a sign of an unhealthy, over watered plant. Just like black leaves, yellow leaves could be a sign of root rot in your plant. Cut back on your watering and follow the steps above to try and fix it.
White Leaves on Succulent
A white, sticky webbing on your plants and misshapen leaves suggest a mealy bug infestation. These are small, white bugs that feed on plant sap, which causes deformed leaves.
At the first sign of mealy bugs, immediately quarantine your plant away from the other nearby ones. Mealy bugs spread quickly and other plants may be infected as well. Pay special attention to the underside of leaves because they love those areas.
For the plants with signs of infestation, take a q-tip soaked in rubbing alcohol and dab it at any bugs you see. Also water the soil with rubbing alcohol. Repeat this every two to three days for several weeks because mealy bugs take a while to completely go away.
In summary for succulent leaves turning red…
Succulents turn red or other bright colors when exposed to extreme conditions, such as bright light, low fertilizer, drought, nutrient poor soil, and temperature extremes. These factors help bring out colorful pigments, which protect the plant from heat and UV light. You can play around with these factors to make your succulents change color.
While the name may sound scary, stressed succulents are not necessarily unhealthy. Healthy stressed plants will have bright red tips or pretty colored leaves. With small changes in your succulent’s environment, you can also bring out the pretty colors in your plant.
Learn more about general succulent care from these articles:
