Where to Put Your Succulent So It Actually Thrives✨

Succulents look like they can survive anything. Desert plant? Yup! Stores water in their leaves? Yup! Practically invincible? …mmm …Not exactly.

If you’ve ever placed your succulent in a bright window only to watch it sh

rivel, brown, or go translucent, you’re not alone. Turns out, these tough plants are actually a bit dramatic when it comes to light and heat.

Here’s how to pick the perfect spot for your succulent and what not to do.

Myth: They’re desert plants, so they need full sun all day.

Truth: Most succulents evolved in deserts with filtered light, partial shade, or protection from intense afternoon sun. They often grow under rocks, tucked near bushes, or along cliffs where they get morning sun but avoid peak scorching sun hours.

Also, many of the succulents we buy (and what we grow) were grown in greenhouses with shade cloth. Throwing them into blazing sunlight is like tossing a vampire into a tanning bed 😱🧛🧛

Why do succulents burn, even though they’re built for heat?

Well…it comes down to a few things:

 • Indoor light ≠ outdoor light. Sun through a glass window can act like a magnifying glass, amplifying heat and rays in a concentrated beam.

 • They’re not acclimated. Succulents need time to adjust to stronger light or they’ll sunburn fast.

So where should you keep them?

Indoors:

 • Great: An east facing windowsill (gentle morning sun).

• Caution: South or west facing windows can work, but watch for sunburn especially in summer.

Outdoors:

 • Avoid full day direct sun unless your succulent has been slowly acclimated to it.

• Keep an eye on leaf color: If your plant starts turning red, purple, brown, or translucent, it needs to be moved.

Signs your succulent is unhappy where it’s living:

 • Pearls or leaves bursting, shriveling, or falling off

 • A pale, stretched out appearance (aka “etiolation”) from too little light

• Burn spots that look like beige or brown patches

Acclimate slowly.

If you want to move your succulent into more light, do it in stages. Give it a few hours a day, then increase exposure to sun gradually over a week or two. Think of it like a skincare routine you don’t start with retinol every night you gradually introduce it into your routine. 

 Bright light but not brutal light

Succulents want lots of light, but not the kind that roasts them. Think bright, indirect sun, filtered light, or soft morning rays. You’ll know when you have them in the perfect spot and they’ll stay plump, happy, and cute as ever! Always remember even if your succulent has a little sunburn or some shriveled leaves, don’t worry it’s tougher than it looks. With the right care, it’ll bounce back and keep growing.