Do your succulents have little roots that are white or pink growing out of your succulents stem? If so, don't worry at all! Those little roots sticking out of the stems are called aerial roots, and they are very common when growing succulents.
Are aerial roots a sign that your succulents are unhealthy? Do they mean your succulents are healthy? Why are these little roots sticking out of your succulents stem? By the end of this article, you will know exactly all about aerial roots, and what to exactly do to make sure these little roots go away.
Before we Begin...
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What Are Aerial Roots?
So what are these little white or pink roots that are growing out of the stem of your succulent? Those little roots are called aerial roots and they are forming in the wrong places. They are known as above ground or adventurous roots all because they are growing on the stem of the succulent and not under the soil. Roots are obviously supposed to be grown underneath the soil not on the stem of the succulent.
These aerial roots are small and thin, and are also white or pink. They grow on the stem of the succulent, and as time goes by these little roots will end up turning brown, drying up, and will fall off the stem of the succulent naturally.
What Will Aerial Roots Do To Your Succulents?
Now you are probably wondering if aerial roots will harm or hurt your succulents. Don’t worry about this at all! Your succulents are still growing healthy and happy. Actually your succulents will get benefits from aerial roots!
Aerial roots will help your succulents grow healthy and happy because the roots will absorb nutrients in the air. This is amazing for your succulents all because your succulent will love the nutrients and those nutrients will help your succulents grow bigger and faster.
Aerial roots will also help weaker stems because they grow downwards hitting the soil, basically being like a little support system for weak stems. Also if your soil is dead/bad then aerial roots will help keep your succulent alive by taking air in by the roots. Aerial roots will also help with succulent propagation, all because the roots absorb nutrients from the air.
Why Are Your Succulents Growing Aerial Roots?
There are many reasons why your succulents are growing aerial roots. Here are some common reasons why these roots are forming.
Underwatering:
Aerial roots will form if the succulent is underwatered. Underwatered means it’s dehydrated and craves and needs water immediately. Now why do these roots form when your succulent is underwatered?
These roots form when your succulent is underwatered all because the leaves are shriveled and the succulent is dehydrated. This will allow aerial roots to form along the stem because those roots are trying to give the succulent some water.
Your succulent will need to be watered 1-2 days a week or when the soil looks or feels completely dry. If you don’t water your succulent 1-2 days a week or when the soil looks or feels dry, then these aerial roots will form immediately.
They are only forming because the succulent needs water. It’s a very easy fix, just make sure you water your succulent plant immediately. Once it gets water then the roots will realize the succulent is hydrated and will no longer be needed. The roots will turn brown, dry up, and then eventually fall off the succulent.
Humidity
If your succulent is growing in a very humid area, then aerial roots will form. This happens because it’s like the succulent is being underwatered. And as we have mentioned, if the succulent is dehydrated and underwatered then aerial roots will form all because they are searching to give the plant some type of water.
Make sure you give the succulent just plenty of water to help with the humidity. I know you can’t control the weather, but try growing the succulent in more shade or even indoors to stop these aerial roots from forming due to humidity.
Lack Of Sunlight
If your succulent is lacking sunlight then there’s a chance aerial roots will form. Why? All because of etiolation. If your succulent is lacking sunlight then it will begin the process of etiolation.
Etiolation occurs when the succulent isn’t getting enough sunlight, if this happens then the succulent will begin to stretch or grow tall. If your succulent is stretching or growing tall then the succulent is definitely going through the process of etiolation.
Now why does etiolation make aerial roots form? Well since the succulent is stretching and growing tall, the succulent will most likely fall over or even snap because of how tall it is. The aerial roots will form and then touch the soil to support the succulent from falling over or even snapping.
This is why it’s very important to give your succulent at least 6 hours of sunlight each and every day. This will prevent etiolation and will also prevent the aerial roots from forming.
Should You Remove Aerial Roots?
It’s up to you. Your succulent won’t die or get damaged if aerial roots are on the stems. As time goes by they will eventually turn brown, dry up, and then fall off the stem of the succulent. Aerial roots are just a little reminder that your succulent might need some work, and once you fix some problems then the roots will go away.
If they are really bugging you then you can grab nail clippers, tweezers, or any sort of clippers and cut off or pluck the roots. It’s up to you!
That’s it!
Aerial roots are actually great for succulents all because it’s like a friendly reminder that your succulent needs some work without showing you the hard way with nasty symptoms. Aerial roots won’t kill or harm your succulent, the roots are just appearing all because the succulent is struggling with some things.
You can keep the aerial roots on or cut or pluck them, up to you. They will eventually fall off naturally as time goes by and once you fix the little problems that are going on with your succulent.
We hope this little quick article brought you some knowledge on aerial roots! They are awesome for succulents, and they will help you grow your succulents healthy and happy. They are little reminders that your succulent needs some work without showing you the hard way with nasty symptoms!
Thank you!
Thank you for visiting our website and reading our article. We hope we brought value, and great information to you today. Our goal is to help fellow succulent lovers like you! Any questions or if you’d like more tips email us or comment below!
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Ramsey Succulents
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