From my perspective as an Echeveria, light is my primary source of energy. I am a sun-loving succulent, evolved for bright, direct sunlight. When I am placed in a dim location, my very survival mechanism kicks in. My growth slows to a crawl because I simply cannot produce enough energy through photosynthesis to support new growth. You might notice my stem beginning to stretch unnaturally as I desperately reach for any available light source, a process called etiolation. My vibrant colors may fade to a pale green. For me to thrive and grow compact, rosette-shaped leaves, I need several hours of direct sunlight daily, preferably from a south-facing window.
Water is a constant negotiation. My plump, fleshy leaves are designed to store water for long periods, a trait from my arid native habitats. The most common issue I face is overwatering. When my soil is perpetually wet, the pores in my roots cannot breathe. They suffocate and rot, becoming unable to absorb any water or nutrients at all. From my point of view, I am dying of thirst while standing in water, and all growth ceases as I fight to survive. Conversely, if I am severely underwatered for extended periods, I will use all the moisture stored in my lower leaves to sustain my core, causing them to dry up and wither. This leaves me with no reserves to put into new growth.
While I am a slow grower, I still need resources. If I have been in the same soil for years, it has likely become compacted and depleted of nutrients. The organic matter breaks down, and the soil structure collapses, making it harder for my roots to spread and breathe. Even if you water me correctly, I cannot access the microscopic nutrients I need to build new cells. Furthermore, my pot might be too small. If my root system has completely filled the container, it becomes root-bound. My roots become tangled and have no space to expand, which directly stunts the growth of my upper body. I am effectively trapped.
Sometimes, my lack of visible top growth is a misdirection. My energy may be focused underground. If my root system was previously damaged by rot or was underdeveloped, I will prioritize growing a strong, healthy root system to ensure my survival before I commit energy to producing new leaves. Furthermore, if the conditions are right, my prime directive is to reproduce. If I am preparing to flower and send up a bloom stalk, this process consumes a massive amount of my stored energy. All my resources are diverted to creating flowers, and vegetative growth will often pause completely until the flowering process is finished.
Growth is not constant. I have a natural cycle. During the shorter, cooler days of winter, I often enter a period of dormancy. My metabolic processes slow down significantly to conserve energy. This is a survival strategy to make it through a season with less light and cooler temperatures. During this time, you should not expect any new growth. Attempting to force growth by fertilizing or overwatering in winter can actually harm me. I am simply resting and waiting for the longer, warmer days of spring to signal that it is safe to start growing again.
