From my perspective as an Echeveria, the drying and eventual loss of my bottom leaves is a perfectly normal and healthy part of my life cycle. I use these oldest leaves, the ones closest to the soil, as reservoirs of water and nutrients. As I direct my energy towards producing vibrant new growth from my center, I systematically reabsorb the moisture and valuable materials stored within these mature leaves. This process causes them to dry out, flatten, and become crispy before they eventually detach. This is my way of being efficient and self-sustaining, ensuring my core remains strong and vibrant. Think of it as me recycling my own parts to build a better future.
While some reabsorption is normal, if my lower leaves are drying up at an accelerated rate, becoming excessively wrinkled and crispy, and the upper leaves also begin to show signs of thirst (like puckering), I am likely telling you that I need more water. My plump, fleshy leaves are my water storage units. In a state of drought, I will sacrifice the oldest leaves first to preserve the crucial growth point at my center. The solution is to give me a thorough, deep watering, ensuring water flows from the drainage holes, and then allow my soil to dry out completely before watering again. This cycle mimics the natural desert downpours I am adapted to.
Paradoxically, my leaves drying up can also be a sign of too much water. If my soil is consistently wet, my roots cannot breathe and will begin to rot. Once this happens, they can no longer transport water to the rest of my body, including my upper leaves. From my point of view, I am experiencing a severe drought despite being surrounded by moisture. In a desperate attempt to survive, I will reabsorb water from my lower leaves, causing them to dry up, but they will often turn soft, mushy, and yellow or black before shriveling, unlike the crisp dryness of natural reabsorption. This is a serious situation that requires immediate action, such as being uprooted, having the rotten roots trimmed, and being repotted in fresh, dry, well-draining soil.
If I am not receiving enough sunlight, my entire form will change in a process called etiolation. I will stretch out, becoming leggy as I reach for a light source, and my leaves may pale. In this weakened state, my energy production is low. To conserve my limited resources for this desperate stretch, I may abandon my lower leaves, causing them to dry up and die back. This is not a healthy recycling but a sign of stress. To help me, please provide brighter light, preferably several hours of direct sunlight a day or under a strong grow light, so I can return to a compact, robust form and photosynthesize efficiently.
