Winter Dormant Succulents — Which Ones Rest & How to Care for Them

Some succulents go dormant in winter while others are dormant in summer. Learn which succulents rest when, how to adjust watering, and signs your succulent is entering dormancy. This guide covers everything you need to know about this topic, including common causes, step-by-step solutions, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Here are the key things to understand: Summer growers (Echeveria, Crassula, Agave, most cacti) go dormant in winter and need reduced water. Winter growers (Aeonium, Lithops, Conophytum, Senecio) are active in cool months and dormant in summer. Dormancy is triggered by temperature and day length changes, not by watering schedule. Signs of dormancy include slowed growth, color changes, leaf drop, and reduced water uptake. Watering a dormant succulent as if it were actively growing is the primary cause of winter rot. Understanding these fundamentals will help you diagnose and resolve this issue more effectively.

The most common reasons this occurs include: Dormancy patterns correspond to the rainfall seasons in each species' native habitat. Summer growers originate from regions with summer monsoons and dry winters. Winter growers come from areas like South Africa's Western Cape with winter rainfall patterns. Indoor heating and lighting can confuse dormancy cycles, so using temperature and daylight cues helps. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward finding the right solution.

To resolve this, follow these recommended steps: Identify whether each of your succulents is a summer or winter grower by species. Reduce watering for summer growers in winter to once monthly or less depending on conditions. Continue or slightly increase watering for winter growers like Aeonium and Senecio during cool months. Keep dormant succulents in a cool bright location — cold promotes proper dormancy and spring vigor. Resume normal watering gradually in spring as temperatures warm and new growth appears on summer growers. If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider consulting additional resources or a qualified professional.

This article is part of our Succulents & Cacti collection on Houseplants Wiki. We provide comprehensive, up-to-date information to help you find solutions quickly.