---
title: "Hi, I'm trying to help my mom take care of this succulent she got as…"
description: "Hi, I'm trying to help my mom take care of this succulent she got as a gift for Christmas. From what I've been told, it's supposed to be an Echeveria Rainbow.…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/qv2D6RYJn5OYCVWx3Ilp4u"
community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle"
author: "Jill H"
published: "2025-02-27T20:44:42.803407Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/geY5rdOWom5jqaK5AXquPuu6IOePot587tJlhCuNZzc/rt2SCu_9SpO-bG0msNkv-A.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hi, I'm trying to help my mom take care of this succulent she got as…

_Posted by Jill H on 2025-02-27_

Hi, I'm trying to help my mom take care of this succulent she got as a gift for Christmas. From what I've been told, it's supposed to be an Echeveria Rainbow. She initially planted it in a ceramic pot that didn't have very good drainage and watered it whenever the top bit of soil seemed dry. It started dying, so she transplanted it into a different ceramic pot with better drainage, then watered it well afterward. This was about a couple weeks ago. It hasn't been watered since, but now the leaves are shriveling up and falling off. The strange thing is, it's also had new leaves come up. Would anybody have any ideas about what's wrong with it and how we could fix it? Thank you!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/geY5rdOWom5jqaK5AXquPuu6IOePot587tJlhCuNZzc/rt2SCu_9SpO-bG0msNkv-A.webp?size=large)

## 9 comments

### Evey commented on 2025-02-27

The soil looks bad. Succulents grow in chunky soil or gravel. How much sun does it get? They need to be in direct sun for 8h min

#### Evey replied on 2025-02-27

Here are mine 6m before and now after repotting

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Ms65XtzwG0-hvzKs-MEo5FKMJ-HAqr5sOwLnsC4-KOA/OY64SYbDTHigzpokMvm8FA.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Ms65XtzwG0-hvzKs-MEo5FKMJ-HAqr5sOwLnsC4-KOA/pRU312A2TxOA54Tjqno33A.webp?size=large)

#### Southwest sister replied on 2025-02-28

Preferably not afternoon sun

#### Southwest sister replied on 2025-02-28

This is mine. There’s like a bunch of pups under there. I only water it like once every two weeks or so but I have very well drained soil that’s key with succulents. Try the black gold soil from Ace Hardware or tanks is always good too.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/JFSPvy5kGHxXKBa2eYX5YYHIUiIL5AVkGpVXWrjDd_A/-CHOOcHSSl6YnBsnVGCy3w.webp?size=large)

#### Jill H replied on 2025-02-28

Thank you for your advice! It's in a window with strong indirect sunlight. The window is well-lit for most of the day, though

### Phil commented on 2025-02-28

It was overwatered. I have many echeverias and they get watered when the soil is bone dry. At that point I check the leaves to see if they are flexible or firm. Watered every two or three weeks, sometimes longer. Check the roots. Probably mush, if so, just toss it. Sorry to be so negative, but soil is wrong and probably needs smaller pot.

#### Phil replied on 2025-02-28

Oh my, not familiar with an echeveria rainbow, so I looked it up. Beautiful plant.

#### Jill H replied on 2025-02-28

No worries! Thank you for your advice. We'll repot it again in the right size of pot and with the correct soil to see if that helps.

### Stephanie commented on 2025-03-01

If the roots are mushy but the stem is still good you can cut off the mushy part and get some good soil ( I like the black gold too) and I put a little root tone on it and repot. I have saved many this way. I get several left on my doorsteps from my neighbors that I have to try to save. Good luck and I hope this helps

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