As an Echeveria, the process of losing my lower leaves is a natural and expected part of my life cycle. It is how I grow taller and make room for new growth from my center, or apical meristem. However, when this process accelerates or seems abnormal, it is a clear signal that my environment is not meeting my fundamental needs. From my perspective, here is what is happening and what you can do to help.
First, observe the leaves. If the lower leaves are being reabsorbed—slowly turning yellow, then brown and crispy, and drying out from the tip inward—this is a healthy process. I am drawing the nutrients and water from these older leaves to fuel new growth. Please do not pull them off prematurely; wait until they are completely dry and they will detach with a gentle touch. However, if the leaves are becoming mushy, translucent, yellowing rapidly, or dropping while still plump, this indicates a serious issue that requires immediate attention.
The most common threat to my existence is too much water. My roots are not designed for constantly wet soil. Soggy conditions suffocate my roots, preventing them from taking in oxygen and leading to rot. Once root rot sets in, my stem and lower leaves become soft, mushy, and discolored, and they will fall off. If you suspect this, you must act quickly. Remove me from the damp soil, gently wash my roots, and use sterile shears to cut away any black or mushy roots. Let my root system air dry for several days before repotting me into fresh, dry, well-draining succulent mix and a pot with a drainage hole. Do not water me for a week after repotting to allow my roots to heal.
If I am not receiving enough intense light, I will begin to etiolate—stretch out unnaturally with wide gaps between my leaves. In a desperate attempt to conserve energy for this strained growth, I will sacrifice my lower leaves at an accelerated rate. The new growth at my center may also pale in color. To correct this, I need a very bright location, ideally a south-facing window where I can receive several hours of direct sunlight daily. If natural light is insufficient, please provide a strong grow light positioned close to me for 12-14 hours a day.
While I am not a heavy feeder, the process of reabsorbing leaves and producing new growth does consume the nutrients stored in my soil. A complete lack of nutrients can sometimes contribute to excessive leaf loss. To support me, provide a diluted, balanced fertilizer specifically formulated for succulents or cacti. This feeding should only occur during my active growing season (spring and summer) and no more than once a month. Over-fertilizing will harm my roots, so this must be done with care.
