--- title: "Hi everyone! I really want to be able to care for succulents, but…" description: "Hi everyone! I really want to be able to care for succulents, but every time I get one, it withers and dies. This sweet little golden sedum had so many leaves…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/u4hEsFpohtC3stCIIu92v5" community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle" author: "Kelly" published: "2026-03-25T17:39:06.252351Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/3E05bKMHLpKS36_TH_BNBbXTSjmnE-uuq08Xf0kgSFo/Ez_opqz4RmiLN6ximcDtrw.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [The Cactus \& Succulent Circle](https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w.md) # Hi everyone! I really want to be able to care for succulents, but… _Posted by Kelly on 2026-03-25_ Hi everyone! I really want to be able to care for succulents, but every time I get one, it withers and dies. This sweet little golden sedum had so many leaves a few weeks ago, and they keep turning brown and translucent and falling off. Am I wrong to put them in terra cotta pots with succulent - specific potting medium? How do I know when to water? I will not be defeated by succulents 😅 ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/3E05bKMHLpKS36_TH_BNBbXTSjmnE-uuq08Xf0kgSFo/Ez_opqz4RmiLN6ximcDtrw.webp?size=large) ## 17 comments ### Belle commented on 2026-03-25 How often are you watering? #### Kelly replied on 2026-03-25 I guess I don't know how to tell when they need water 🫣 I water based on the schedule by Planta but it obviously isn't right. Should they be totally dry before watering again? They dry out really fast in a small terra cotta pot. #### Belle replied on 2026-03-25 Yes I would let them totally dry out, I do mine!! ### Belle commented on 2026-03-25 They almost defeated me but I’ve actually gotten really good at caring for them!! ### Belle commented on 2026-03-25 He will be okay!! Just let him dry out before watering again, they are very drought tolerant so I water mine once a month or when they are completely dry!! That was my issue when I started with them was over watering!! Also try not to get water on the plant itself!! ### Kelly commented on 2026-03-25 Ok so a follow up... My FIL had me babysit an aloe he had, and it pretty much died on my watch. This is what I have left from the one remaining leaf it had, and it always look shriveled like this? I keep thinking it's not enough water because it's not fat anymore 😭 ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/3E05bKMHLpKS36_TH_BNBbXTSjmnE-uuq08Xf0kgSFo/jd7wGwznSf2s3rH5uRxF2A.webp?size=large) ### Phil commented on 2026-03-25 Translucent leaves on a succulent is a sign of overwatering. Many succulent soils, such as Miracle Grow, still need to be amended. Your current soil still looks to be too organic but the terracotta pot helps balance that out. Pot should be totally bone dry before you water. Probably bone dry for several days. The plant’s leaves may feel kinda soft and rubbery. I have many succulents with many going for 4 to 6 weeks between waterings. And add water until it exits the drain hole. #### Kelly replied on 2026-03-25 What do you think of the blackened shriveled stem on the sedum I showed first? Is that over watering too? #### Belle replied on 2026-03-25 I think yes. ### Sydney commented on 2026-03-25 Some of my succulents I go a month without watering it’s safer for them to be desert dry than super moist I killed so many succulents by overwatering but I use a Chopstick and check the very bottom is dry then I give it a good water and set it in the sun and leave it alone :) ### Kelly commented on 2026-03-25 I have to be over watering. I felt like they were bone dry but idk anymore 😅 thanks everyone! ### Alfie’s garden commented on 2026-03-26 I’d suggest using the chopstick method as mentioned, you can also use a cheap moisture meter like this one but use it sparingly (insert down the side of the pot to avoid damaging the roots) to adjust your moisture level to get an idea of how long you can go between watering. ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/zhRBv-INRWk0MdpK4xh08J7hPi5195czFvX317P70JU/Z-_GZ0nXRN-jQGRbwyxjGQ.webp?size=large) ### Mousellina commented on 2026-03-26 Someone recommended the moisture meter - I have tried several and they don’t work accurately. More reliable method is to stick a bamboo skewer all the way to the bottom, leave for 30 seconds and pull it out - if it comes back dry then you know the soil is dry. #### Phil replied on 2026-03-26 They don’t work well with succulents if you have very gritty soil. I usually go by the weight of the pot. #### Mousellina replied on 2026-03-26 Me too but it takes time to work that one out and can be overwhelming for a newbie. ### Joan commented on 2026-06-09 Mine is in a very small pot as well. I water it every 2nd week and soak till the water comes out the bottom, and then let it sit in a little water for 10 minutes. [More comments](https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/u4hEsFpohtC3stCIIu92v5.md?cursor=GOwAhfhwtxhQb3N0cy5HZXRBbGwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC0Ye1h3HrhGA) --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_