Succulent Leaves Turning Red: 5 Reasons Why Succulents Change Color
Last Updated on July 8, 2023
One of the most common questions I get asked about succulents is why their leaves are turning red. While there can be several reasons for this, here are five of the most common:
1. Too Much Sunlight
If your succulent is getting too much direct sunlight, its leaves will start to turn red as a way to protect itself from sunburn. If you see your succulent starting to turn red, move it to a location with less sunlight and make sure to provide it with some shade during the hottest hours of the day.
2. Not Enough Sunlight
On the flip side, if your succulent isn’t getting enough sunlight, its leaves may also start to turn red in an attempt to get more light exposure. If you think this might be the case, move your plant to a location with more sunlight and make sure it’s receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
3. Temperature Stress
Another reason why succulents’ leaves may turn red is due to temperature stress. If the temperature drops too low or rises too high, it can cause stress on the plant which will then result in its leaves turning red or yellow. To avoid this, make sure you keep your succulent in an area that has consistent temperatures and isn’t subject to drastic changes.
One of the most common questions we get here at Garden Therapy is about why succulents’ leaves turn red. While there can be many reasons for this phenomenon, today we’re going to focus on five of the most common causes.
1. Too Much Sunlight
While succulents need plenty of sunlight to thrive, too much sun can cause their leaves to turn red. This is because the plant is trying to protect itself from further damage by producing more pigment in its leaves. If you think your succulent is getting too much sun, try moving it to a spot that gets less direct light.
2. Not Enough Water
Succulents are notoriously drought-tolerant plants, but they still need water to survive. If your plant isn’t getting enough water, its leaves may start to turn red as a way of conserving moisture.
Make sure you’re giving your plant enough water and misting it regularly if it’s in a dry environment such as an office or home with forced air heat. 3. Temperature Stress
Just like people, plants can experience stress when they’re exposed to extreme temperatures .
If your succulent is experiencing temperature stress, its leaves may turn red as a way of coping with the stressor . To prevent temperature stress, make sure your plant is in an area that stays between 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit . 4. Nutrient Deficiencies
If your succulent isn’t getting enough nutrients , its leaves may start to turn red as a way of signaling that something is wrong . Common nutrient deficiencies include nitrogen , potassium , and magnesium . You can correct nutrient deficiencies by fertilizing your plant with a succulent fertilizer or compost tea every few weeks during the growing season .
5. Pest Infestations
Pests are another common reason why succulents’ leave s may turn red . Aphids , mealybugs , and scale are all common pests that can attack succulents and cause their leaves to change color . If you suspect your plant has pests, inspect it carefully and treat accordingly with an organic pesticide . Red leaves on a succulent are often cause for concern among gardeners, but in most cases, there’s no need to worry.
How to make your succulents turn red
Succulents Turning Reddish Brown
If your succulents are turning reddish brown, it’s likely due to a lack of light. Succulents need bright, direct sunlight to maintain their vibrant colors. If they’re not getting enough light, they’ll start to turn red or brown.
You can try moving them to a sunnier spot, or giving them artificial light with grow lights. If your succulents are still turning red or brown after you’ve tried increasing their light exposure, it might be due to too much heat. Succulents can get sunburned if they’re in direct sunlight for too long, especially during the summer months.
If you think your succulents are getting too much sun, try moving them to a shadier spot. Finally, some varieties of succulents are naturally more red or brown than others. If your succulent is simply changing color as it matures, there’s no cause for concern.
Why are My Succulents Turning Brown
Your succulents are turning brown because they’re not getting enough water. When succulents don’t get enough water, their leaves start to turn brown and shrivel up. This is a survival mechanism that helps the plant conserve water.
If you see your succulents turning brown, give them a good watering and make sure to keep an eye on them so they don’t dry out again.
Succulent Leaves Turning Red And Falling off
The leaves on my succulent are turning red and falling off. What’s going on?
If the leaves on your succulent are turning red and falling off, it is likely due to a lack of sunlight.
Succulents need bright, direct sunlight to thrive. If they do not get enough sunlight, the leaves will begin to turn red and eventually fall off.
To fix this problem, simply move your plant to a location that receives more sunlight.
If possible, place it in a south-facing window where it will receive plenty of direct sunlight throughout the day. Keep an eye on your plant and make sure the leaves are starting to turn green again before moving it back to its original location.
Why are My Succulents Turning Yellow
If your succulents are turning yellow, it’s likely because they’re not getting enough light. Succulents need bright, direct sunlight to stay healthy and vibrant. If your plants are kept in a shady spot or if they’re receiving indirect sunlight, they may start to turn yellow.
To prevent your succulents from turning yellow, make sure to place them in a sunny location where they’ll receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. If you can’t provide them with adequate natural light, you can supplement with artificial lighting such as grow lights.
In some cases, yellowing leaves may be an indication of overwatering.
If your plants are sitting in water for too long or if the roots are waterlogged, this can cause the leaves to turn yellow and eventually drop off. Allow the soil to dry out completely between watering sessions and make sure that drainage is good so that excess water can quickly drain away.
Credit: succulentplantcare.com
What Causes Succulent to Turn Red?
When succulents turn red, it’s usually an indication that they’re getting too much sun. The intense light causes the plant to produce more pigments in its leaves, resulting in a red or purple color. If your succulent is turning red, you should move it to a location with less direct sunlight.
Too much sun can also cause the leaves to become sunburned, which will result in brown patches on the foliage. Over time, excessive sun exposure can kill the plant.
In addition to light levels, temperature can also affect a succulent’s color.
When nights are cool and days are warm, many succulents will develop a reddish hue. This is because the plants are trying to protect themselves from the cold temperatures by producing more anthocyanins (pigments that reflect light). So if you see your succulent turning red during the fall or winter months, don’t be alarmed – it’s just adapting to the cooler weather!
Why are My Succulents Changing Color?
If your succulents are changing color, it could be due to a number of reasons. One possibility is that they are getting too much sun. Succulents need sunlight to photosynthesize, but too much sun can cause them to turn reddish or brown.
Another possibility is that they are not getting enough water. Succulents store water in their leaves, so if they are not being watered regularly, their leaves will start to shrivel and turn brown or gray. Finally, succulents can also change color if they are stressed from being moved around too much or if they are not receiving the right type of fertilizer.
If you think your succulent is changing color for one of these reasons, try adjusting its environment and see if the color changes back.
What Does It Mean When Plant Leaves Turn Red?
When plant leaves turn red, it generally means that the plant is receiving too much light. The red color is actually a form of sunburn, and if the leaves are left exposed to the sun for too long, they will eventually turn brown and die. If you notice your plant’s leaves turning red, try moving it to a shadier spot.
Red leaves can also indicate a lack of water or nutrients, so make sure to check your plant’s soil before assuming it’s getting too much light.
Why is My Succulent Turning Red And Yellow?
One of the most common questions we get here at The Sill is “Why is my succulent turning red and yellow?” While there are a few possible causes, the most likely explanation is that your plant is experiencing stress. When succulents are stressed, they often change color as a way of indicating that something is wrong.
There are a few different things that can stress out your succulent and cause it to turn red and yellow. One of the most common stressors is too much sun exposure. If your plant is getting more sunlight than it’s used to, it can start to turn red and yellow as a way of protecting itself from further damage.
Another possible stressor is lack of water. If your plant isn’t getting enough water, it will start to dry out and turn brown or yellow. Lastly, temperature changes can also stresses out succulents causing them to change color.
So if you recently moved your plant from a cool spot indoors to a hotter spot outdoors, that could be why it’s turning red and yellow.
If you think your succulent might be stressed, the best thing you can do is try to identify the cause and then take steps to correct it. If your plant is getting too much sun exposure, move it to a shadier spot.
If it’s not getting enough water, give it a good watering (making sure not to overwater). And if temperature changes are stressing out your plant, try moving it back to its original location or acclimating it slowly by gradually increasing the amount of time it spends in its new location each day until it’s fully adjusted.
If you take these steps and your succulent still doesn’t improve, then unfortunately it may be time to say goodbye to your little friend.
But don’t worry – even experienced gardeners sometimes have plants that don’t make it despite their best efforts!
What Are the Common Reasons for Succulents to Change Color and Turn Red?
Certain succulents change colors, turning red for various reasons. Environmental conditions such as intense sunlight, high temperatures, or cold temperatures can cause a shift in pigmentation. Stress, lack of water, or too much moisture can also trigger color changes. It is essential for succulent enthusiasts to understand why succulents change colors to ensure optimal care.
Conclusion
One of the most common questions succulent growers have is why their plant’s leaves are turning red. While there could be a number of reasons for this, here are five of the most common:
1. Sunburn
One of the most common reasons for succulent leaves to turn red is sunburn. If your plant is in direct sunlight for too long, the leaves can start to turn red or even brown. This is especially true for plants that are not used to full sun exposure.
To avoid this, gradually introduce your succulents to more sunlight each week until they are acclimated. Additionally, make sure to provide plenty of airflow and ventilation to prevent heat build-up.
2. Temperature Stress
Another reason succulents’ leaves may turn red is due to temperature stress. If the temperature drops too low (below 50 degrees Fahrenheit), the plant’s cells can freeze and die, causing the leaves to turn red or brown. Alternatively, if the temperature gets too high (above 95 degrees Fahrenheit), the plant will start to wilt and the leaves will turn red from lack of water uptake.
To prevent this, make sure your succulents are in an environment with stable temperatures and protect them from extreme changes in temperature (both hot and cold).
3. Nutrient Deficiencies
Nutrient deficiencies can also cause succulent leaves to change color.
For example, if a plant isn’t getting enough nitrogen, the leaves will typically turn yellow or pale green first before eventually turning red or brown if left unchecked. Similarly, a lack of phosphorus can cause purpling or reddening of new growth while insufficient potassium often leads to overall stunted growth and chlorosis (yellowing) of older growths/leaves . Make sure your plants are getting all the nutrients they need by using a well-balanced fertilizer and following proper watering schedules .
Improper fertilization techniques – such as using too much fertilizer or fertilizing too often – can also lead to nutrient toxicity , so be careful not overdo it!
