Cacti and succulents are some of the easiest plants to grow and maintain. However, they come with their own set of problems that you need to deal with and etiolation is one of the most (if not the most) common issues with cacti and succulents.
Etiolation occurs because of insufficient lighting and cacti and succulents both show skinny and tall growth as a result. Let’s discuss how to fix an etiolated cactus or succulent before things get worse.
Table of Contents
What Does Etiolation Mean?
Etiolation is a condition that occurs in cacti and succulents that aren’t receiving enough sunlight. It’s a natural way for plants to grow higher to find light which results in their stems stretching out and developing pale or lighter colors than usual.
It’s important to note that etiolation doesn’t occur only in cacti and succulents but some other plant species can also suffer from this condition. Usually this happens to indoor plants since indoor spaces are sometimes poorly lit and plants fail to get enough sunlight.
The best method to deal with this problem is to place a plant in a spot that receives plenty of sunlight. However, there are many important factors that you need to consider while fixing an etiolated plant.
What are the Common Symptoms of Etiolation?
In etiolated plants, the amount of chlorophyll is very small since the production of chlorophyll depends upon the amount of light a plant receives. Because of limited photosynthesis, the etiolated plants appear paler or lighter as compared to healthy plants.
Here’s a list of some of the most common symptoms of etiolated cacti and succulents.
Elongated and Weak Growth
Elongated and weak growth with pale color is probably the most common symptom of etiolation. Your succulents and cacti will have widely spaced leaves and thin stems if they are not getting enough sunlight.
Tiny Leaves
The news leaves that etiolated succulents and cacti produce are usually smaller than the healthy ones.
Rapid Growth
The etiolated succulents and cacti grow rapidly towards the available source of light. They consume more nutrients to grow at a faster speed. That’s why many cacti and succulents have long bodies with widely-spaced leaves.
Bent Towards the Light Source
If succulents and cacti remain in shaded areas and fail to get enough light, they bend towards the light source instead of growing normally.
Loss of Leaves
Succulents shed their leaves naturally. However, if it’s happening frequently, you can suspect that it’s because of a lack of light. Shedding leaves frequently isn’t normal and it can also happen due to overwatering.
Stem or Root Rot
Cacti and succulents that fail to get enough sunlight lose their ability to absorb water properly. Their soil will remain moist even if you follow the right watering intervals. As a result, their stem and roots will start to rot with time.
No Blooms
Most species of cacti and succulents need sunlight for at least 6 hours a day to bloom flowers. Etiolated succulent and cacti can also fail to bloom due to lack of sunlight.
How to Fix Etiolated Cactus and Succulents
When a cactus or succulent is etiolated, it’s not possible to fix it immediately. Bear in mind that an etiolated succulent or cactus can’t get back to its normal appearance after falling victim to etiolation.
However, there are some techniques and methods that you can follow to bring back the health of your plant. Consider following the practices listed below to fix etiolated cactus and succulent.
Provide the Plant with More Light
Placing the plant in a spot where it receives more light is the most obvious and effective solution. However, it’s not recommended to place a succulent or cactus from a dark place to a well-lit place suddenly. You’ll need to carry this process out gradually.
That’s because succulents and cacti get used to their environment. It means they need some time to adapt to a new place. Placing a plant that’s not used to receiving lots of light under direct sunlight will lead to sunburn.
A better strategy is to place the etiolated plant in a well-lit spot for an extra one hour every day. You can also choose a spot that receives partial or reflected sunlight for a few days before providing it with full sun exposure.
It also makes sense to rotate your etiolated succulent or cactus in planters every day to ensure even exposure to light. You can also use “grow lights” if you don’t have an outdoor area or can’t place your cactus or succulent in your lawn.
Place your etiolated plants in front of a window that faces south to ensure sufficient exposure to sunlight, if kept indoors.
Important Tips to Protect Etiolated Plants from Sunburns
If you see brown spots or patches on your succulent or cactus, it means that sunburn has taken place. You’ll need to slow down the transition to gradual exposure to sunlight. Here’s a list of some most important tips to protect your etiolated plants from sunburns.
- An indoor cactus or succulent can be very sensitive to a sudden change in its environment.
- Rusty and brown skin is the biggest sign of sunburn. If your etiolated plant is showing these signs, place it on a spot with less light and rotate its position daily for even light distribution.
- Do not place any etiolated succulent or cactus under direct sunlight for more than 6 hours a day.
- It’s best to move an indoor cactus or succulent with etiolation to an outdoor environment with lots of sunlight over the course of a couple of weeks.
Cut the Stretched-Out Part
Your etiolated plant will gradually get back to its healthy state and growth rate once it starts receiving sufficient light. However, it’s not possible to restore the appearance of a stretched-out part of an etiolated cactus or succulent.
The only way to deal with the stretched-out parts of an etiolated plant is to cut them out. You don’t need to discard those parts as you can always use them for propagation. The cutting will grow new roots in about 3 weeks to a few months depending upon the species of plant you’re dealing with.
Not only will it allow you to correct the growth rate of an etiolated plant, but you’ll also be able to grow a new succulent or cactus by using the etiolated part. You can use the following method to propagate a new succulent or cactus from an etiolated plant.
Materials You’ll Need
- Sharp clean knife
- Pruning shears
- Long-handle tongs
- Garden gloves
Instructions to Follow
- Use your clean knife to cut out the symmetrical parts of your etiolated succulent or cactus that are stretching upwards.
- Leave the cutting for 3 to 5 days in a dry place until it forms a scar.
- Place the cutting into well-draining soil and leave it as it is. It’s important not to water the newly planted cutting.
- The cutting will develop roots and then you can start the watering process.
You’ll need to make sure that you place your new succulent or cactus in a well-lit place in order to keep it from getting etiolated.
How to Prevent Cactus or Succulent Etiolation
Choose a Well-Lit Spot
The best way to prevent etiolation in succulents and cacti is to place them in a spot where they can receive sufficient sunlight. Typically, succulents and cacti need direct sunlight for about 4 to 6 hours per day.
Exposure to sunlight for more than 8 hours can also lead to sunburn. So, you’ll need to choose the spot that allows your plants to receive just the right amount of sunlight.
Use Grow Lights
If you can’t place your succulents and cacti outdoors, you should use grow lights. These artificial lights emit light rays with just the right wavelengths that cacti and succulents need to perform the process of photosynthesis.
These lights also come in handy during long winter months and cloudy days when the natural sunlight isn’t available for these plants.
FAQs
Can Etiolation Kill Succulents or Cacti?
In most cases, etiolated cacti and succulents survive if you start correcting the problem early on. They can still appear pale for some time but they can recover from etiolation as long as you start taking care of them by providing them with more light.
Both succulents and cacti are extremely resourceful and adaptive. They stretch out towards the source of light and appear unhealthy with time. But if etiolated plants remain in environmental conditions where they can’t get enough light for too long, they can actually die.
Should You Move Around Your Succulents or Cacti Too Often?
Moving cacti and succulents frequently in different locations will increase their likelihood of getting etiolated. Primarily, it happens because different places usually offer different lighting conditions.
Once a cactus or succulent gets used to an environment with specific light conditions, it’ll need some time to adapt to its new surroundings. That’s why you should not move your succulent or cactus around too often.
Verdict
Now you know what causes etiolation in succulents and cacti. Just don’t panic if it happens and calmly follow this guide to recover your etiolated plants.
Keep in mind that etiolation can happen even in mature succulents and cacti. Provide your plant with enough light and remove and use the abnormal-looking parts for propagation.