From our perspective as plants, the process of losing lower leaves is a standard and often healthy part of our life cycle. Echeveria, like many other succulents, grow in a rosette pattern from a central meristem (our growth point). As we direct our energy into producing new leaves from the center, the oldest leaves—those at the very bottom of the stem—naturally reach the end of their lifespan. This process is called senescence. We systematically reabsorb the water and nutrients stored within these older leaves to fuel new growth. You will observe the leaf becoming thinner, softer, and often changing color before it dries out completely and detaches cleanly from the stem. This is a normal, controlled process that results in the formation of a woody stem, giving us a more tree-like appearance, which is a natural part of our maturation.
While some leaf loss is normal, the manner and rate at which it occurs can indicate if our needs are not being met. The two most crucial factors are water and light. If you are providing too much water (overwatering), our roots become starved for oxygen and begin to rot. This damaged root system can no longer absorb water effectively, paradoxically causing us to become dehydrated from within. In a state of crisis, we will rapidly reabsorb leaves to survive, but they often become mushy, translucent, and yellow or black before falling off—a sign of distress, not natural senescence. Conversely, not enough water (underwatering) will also cause us to consume our leaf reserves rapidly. The leaves will typically dry out from the tip inward, becoming crispy and shriveled before dropping.
Leaf loss can also be a sign of a significant energy reallocation. If we are flowering, we are diverting a massive amount of stored energy and resources into producing a bloom stalk and flowers. This immense effort can sometimes cause us to reabsorb lower leaves at a faster rate than usual to support this reproductive process. Furthermore, if we are not receiving sufficient intense light, we will engage in a process called etiolation. We stretch our stem unnaturally long in a desperate attempt to find a stronger light source. This rapid, weak growth depletes our energy reserves and often causes lower leaves to be sacrificed and dropped to sustain the futile upward growth, resulting in a leggy plant with a bare stem and a small rosette on top.
To ensure that our leaf loss remains a healthy process, you must mimic our native arid environment. Provide us with several hours of direct sunlight daily or equivalent strong grow lights. Water us only when the soil is completely dry, and then water thoroughly, ensuring excess water can drain away freely from the pot. Use a gritty, well-draining soil mix designed for succulents and cacti. Regularly observe us. If leaves are dropping en masse, are discolored and mushy, or if our stem becomes soft, these are signs of a serious issue like root rot, requiring immediate intervention such as beheading us to propagate a healthy new plant.
