Succulent root issue

Question

I’m having trouble with my succulents growing healthy roots. I’m on my 4th one now where it seems to be doing fine for about 6 months or so, and then it starts to get ‘wobbly.’ After a while it simply falls over and out of the soil. Upon examination, it has very short roots (but not rotten).

This has happened now with 2 cuttings I started, as well as with 2 already established plants I got from a nursery. My succulents are little 2″ guys, and some live in a wooden wall garden, and some live in glass hanging pots (not enclosed terrariums).

I use ‘cactus soil,’ and water once a week with spray bottle, making sure that they get ‘enough water,’ but not too much (being cautious since there are no drainage holes in either container). They don’t get direct sun, but are in a pretty sunny kitchen.

Can someone please advise me? I don’t know if I should give them MORE water or LESS water at this point…or maybe I should stop watering them and simply mist them to encourage root growth?

Thanks for any advice!
-Jenny

Answer 1

As cute as your little planter is, this is most likely part of the issue.
The excess water can’t drain away or evaporate.

Don’t water on a schedule, only water when the soil is dry.

When misting, the droplets likely run down to the base of the little plants.
Over time this can cause rot spots on the tiny plants.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/scgen/succulent-plant-info.htm

Answer 2

Thank you so much for your advice!

That makes sense about the glass container, but why would I be having the same problem with some but not all of the succulents in my (wooden) vertical garden? I see these wall gardens everywhere – how are those folks keeping their plants happy?

I’ll definitely move this particular succulent to a better planter, but then is there some extra first aid I can give him? Or do you think simply repotting will encourage his roots to grow? As I mentioned, his roots are not rotten, but are dry/brittle and very short.

Thanks again for your indulgence and insight!