If you’ve noticed your succulents turning white, it’s a clear sign that something needs your attention. This fading to pale hues can be worrying, but it’s often fixable once you know the cause. Let’s look at why this happens and what you can do to restore your plant’s vibrant color.
Succulents Turning White – Fading To Pale Hues
That pale, washed-out look isn’t a new trend. It’s a stress signal. The good news is that by understanding the common reasons, you can usually reverse the problem. The key is to observe your plant’s conditions closely.
Too Much Sun: Sunburn is a Common Culprit
Just like us, succulents can get sunburned. While they love light, a sudden move from indoors to full, blazing sun will shock them. This damage often shows as white or pale brown, papery patches on the leaves most exposed to the light.
These spots are permanent on those leaves, but the plant can outgrow them with proper care. Here’s how to prevent and treat sunburn:
- Acclimate Slowly: When moving a plant to a sunnier spot, do it gradually over 1-2 weeks. Increase exposure by an hour or two each day.
- Provide Afternoon Shade: In very hot climates, use a shade cloth or move plants to a spot with bright but indirect light during the harshest afternoon hours.
- Don’t Water on Leaves in Sun: Water droplets can act like magnifying glasses, intensifying the sun’s rays and causing burn marks.
Not Enough Light: Etiolation and Color Loss
On the flip side, insufficient light also causes pale succulents. This is called etiolation. The plant stretches out, seeking the sun, resulting in a leggy appearance with widely spaced, often paler leaves.
The color fades because the plant isn’t producing enough chlorophyll, which requires good light. It’s a slower process than sunburn but just as problematic.
- Look for Stretching: If the stem is getting long and the leaves are sparse, it needs more light.
- Gradually Increase Exposure: Move it to a brighter window, like a south or east-facing one. Do this slowly to avoid sunburn.
- Consider a Grow Light: For homes with poor natural light, a simple LED grow light for 6-8 hours a day can work wonders.
Powdery Mildew: A Fungal Problem
If the white on your succulent looks powdery or fuzzy and rubs off on your finger, you’re likely dealing with powdery mildew. This fungus thrives in damp, humid, and crowded conditions with poor air circulation.
It weakens the plant by covering the leaves and blocking photosynthesis. Left untreated, it can spread quickly to your other plants.
To treat powdery mildew, follow these steps:
- Isolate the Plant: Immediately seperate the infected succulent from your other plants to prevent the spread.
- Remove Bad Leaves: Carefully prune off the most heavily affected leaves. Dispose of them in the trash, not the compost.
- Apply a Treatment: Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 quart of water and a few drops of mild dish soap. Spray it thoroughly on all plant surfaces. Repeat every few days until the mildew is gone. For stubborn cases, a commercial fungicide labeled for succulents may be necessary.
- Improve Airflow: Space your plants out and ensure there’s good ventilation, especially if they are kept indoors.
Mineral Deposits and Hard Water
White, crusty, or scaly deposits on the leaves or pot are usually from minerals in your water. Tap water, especially if it’s hard, contains calcium and magnesium. When you water, some splashes on the leaves and then evaporates, leaving the minerals behind.
This is mostly a cosmetic issue, but heavy deposits can clog the plant’s pores. Here’s how to manage it:
- Water at the Soil Level: Avoid splashing the leaves when you water. Use a watering can with a long, narrow spout.
- Use Filtered or Rainwater: If your tap water is very hard, switching to collected rainwater, distilled water, or filtered water can prevent buildup.
- Gently Clean Leaves: You can softly wipe mineral deposits off with a damp cloth. Be gentle to avoid removing the plant’s natural farina (waxy coating).
Natural Farina (The Good White)
Before you panic, know that some whiteness is perfectly healthy! Many succulents, like Echeverias, produce a powdery, waxy coating called farina or epicuticular wax.
This beautiful, often bluish-white coating protects the plant from intense sun and helps retain moisture. It’s part of the plant’s natural beauty and should not be wiped off.
- How to Tell: Farina is evenly distributed and feels smooth, not fuzzy or crusty. It’s part of the leaf’s surface and won’t rub off easily.
- Handle with Care: When handling these plants, touch the leaves as little as possible, as fingerprints and scratches will permanently mar the farina.
Step-by-Step: Diagnosing Your Pale Succulent
- Inspect the Texture: Is the white patch dry and papery (sunburn)? Powdery and wipes off (mildew)? Crusty (minerals)? Or smooth and integrated (natural farina)?
- Check the Plant’s Shape: Is it stretched out and leggy (needs more light), or compact with damaged top leaves (too much sun)?
- Review Your Care: Have you recently moved the plant? How often do you water? What kind of water do you use? Is the area humid?
- Isolate if Fungal: If you suspect mildew, isolate the plant immediately to protect the rest of your collection.
How to Revive a Sunburned or Etiolated Succulent
For light-related issues, recovery takes patience. You cannot repair a sunburned leaf, but you can help the plant grow new, healthy ones.
- For Sunburn: Move the plant to a spot with bright, indirect light. Water appropriately (when soil is completely dry) and wait. The plant will eventually grow new, unburned leaves from the center. You can remove the badly damaged lower leaves later if you wish.
- For Etiolation: Gradually provide more light. The stretched part will not shrink back, but new growth at the top will be compact again. Once the plant is healthier, you can behead it. Cut off the compact top, let it callous, and replant it to start a new, better-formed plant.
Prevention is the Best Medicine
Keeping your succulents colorful and healthy is easier than fixing problems. Follow these core care tips:
- Right Light, Right Ramp: Provide plenty of bright light, but introduce increases slowly.
- Water Deeply, Then Dry: Soak the soil completely, then let it dry out fully before watering again. Never let them sit in soggy soil.
- Use Well-Draining Soil: Always plant in a cactus/succulent mix, and ensure pots have drainage holes.
- Promote Good Airflow: Don’t crowd your plants. A small fan can help indoors.
- Water with Care: Aim for the soil, not the leaves, and consider your water source.
FAQ: Succulents Turning White
Q: Can a white succulent turn green again?
A: It depends on the cause. Sunburned leaves won’t, but new growth will be green. An etiolated plant will regain color with more light. Leaves with mineral deposits can be cleaned.
Q: Is the white stuff on my succulent mold?
A: It might be. If it’s fuzzy and wipes off, it’s likely powdery mildew. If it’s smooth and part of the leaf, it’s probably natural farina.
Q: Why are my succulents pale and droopy?
A> This combo often points to overwatering or root rot, which causes leaves to lose firmness and color. Check the roots for mushiness and repot in dry soil if needed.
Q: How do I tell if it’s sun damage or not enough light?
A: Sunburn creates localized, often bleached or browned spots on the upper surfaces. Not enough light causes overall paleness and stretching of the entire stem.
Q: Should I remove white leaves from my succulent?
A: If they are dead, dry, or fungally infected, yes. Prune them off cleanly. If they are just scarred from sunburn but otherwise plump, you can leave them; the plant will eventually reabsorb them.
Seeing your succulents turning white can be alarming, but now you have the knowledge to diagnose and treat the issue. Whether it’s adjusting their sunhat, giving them a drink of better water, or fighting off fungus, your plant has a good chance of recovery. Pay close attention to the specific signs, adjust your care routine, and your succulent will likely return to its former colorful glory.