If you’ve noticed that your green succulent is turning purple, you may be wondering what’s causing this change. While some succulents naturally change color as they mature, a sudden change in color can be a sign of stress or an underlying problem. In this article, we’ll explore the top causes of green succulents turning purple and provide solutions to help you prevent and fix this issue.
Succulents have a unique way of storing water, which allows them to survive in arid environments. However, this also means that they have different pigmentation than other plants. Chlorophyll is the substance in plants that makes photosynthesis possible and gives them their green color. However, succulents also contain other pigments, such as anthocyanins, which can cause them to turn purple, red, or even black.
Common Causes of Purple Succulents
There are several reasons why your green succulent may be turning purple. Some of the most common causes include inadequate light, overwatering or underwatering, temperature extremes, pests or diseases, and natural pigmentation. By assessing your succulent’s health and addressing any issues, you can help prevent and fix this problem.
Key Takeaways
- Succulents have unique pigmentation that can cause them to turn purple, red, or black.
- Common causes of green succulents turning purple include inadequate light, overwatering or underwatering, temperature extremes, pests or diseases, and natural pigmentation.
- To prevent and fix this issue, assess your succulent’s health, adjust its care as needed, and consult a professional if necessary.
Understanding Succulent Pigmentation
Role of Pigments in Succulents
Succulents are known for their unique colors, which come from pigments that are present in their leaves. The primary pigment responsible for green color in plants is chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is essential for photosynthesis, which is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy to fuel their growth and development.
Apart from chlorophyll, succulents also contain other pigments such as carotenoids and anthocyanins. Carotenoids are responsible for yellow, orange, and red colors in plants, while anthocyanins are responsible for red, purple, and blue colors. The intensity of these pigments can vary depending on the species of succulent and the environmental conditions in which they are grown.
Factors Influencing Color Change
If you notice your green succulent turning purple, there could be several reasons behind it. Some species of succulents naturally have purple hues due to genetics or environmental factors. However, sudden or unexpected color changes could be a sign of an underlying problem. Here are some factors that can influence color change in succulents:
- Light: Succulents need bright, indirect light to thrive. Inadequate light can cause the succulent to turn purple or red. On the other hand, too much direct sunlight can cause sunburn, which can also lead to color changes.
- Temperature: Succulents are adapted to grow in warm, dry climates. Sudden changes in temperature, such as exposure to cold drafts or extreme heat, can cause stress to the plant and lead to color changes.
- Watering: Overwatering or underwatering can cause stress to the succulent, which can lead to color changes. Make sure to water your succulent only when the soil is dry to the touch.
- Nutrition: Succulents require a balanced diet of nutrients to grow and maintain their color. A lack of essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium can cause color changes in the succulent.
By understanding the role of pigments in succulents and the factors that can influence color change, you can take appropriate measures to restore your succulent’s original hue.
Common Causes of Purple Succulents
If you have noticed that your green succulent is turning purple, there are several common causes that could be contributing to the issue. In this section, we will explore the most common causes of purple succulents and provide some tips and solutions to help you address the problem.
Environmental Stress Factors
Environmental stress factors are one of the most common causes of purple succulents. These factors can include extreme temperatures, low humidity, and poor air circulation. If your succulent is exposed to these conditions for an extended period of time, it can cause the plant to turn purple.
To address this issue, you should try to provide your succulent with a more suitable environment. This could include moving the plant to a location with better air circulation, increasing the humidity in the room, or adjusting the temperature to a more suitable range.
Nutrient Deficiency
Another common cause of purple succulents is nutrient deficiency. If your succulent is not getting enough of the nutrients it needs, it can cause the plant to turn purple. This can be caused by a lack of essential minerals such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium.
To address this issue, you should consider fertilizing your succulent with a high-quality fertilizer that is specifically designed for succulents. This can help to provide your plant with the nutrients it needs to thrive and prevent it from turning purple.
Watering Issues
Watering issues can also contribute to the problem of purple succulents. Overwatering or underwatering your succulent can cause stress to the plant, which can cause it to turn purple. This can also lead to root rot, which can further damage the plant.
To address this issue, you should make sure that you are watering your succulent correctly. Succulents typically require infrequent watering, and you should only water them when the soil is completely dry. You should also make sure that your succulent is planted in well-draining soil to prevent overwatering.
Sunlight Exposure
Finally, sunlight exposure can also cause your succulent to turn purple. Succulents require bright, indirect sunlight to thrive, and if they are not getting enough light, it can cause the plant to turn purple. On the other hand, if your succulent is exposed to too much direct sunlight, it can also cause stress to the plant.
To address this issue, you should make sure that your succulent is getting the right amount of sunlight. You should place your plant in a location that receives bright, indirect sunlight for several hours each day. If you need to move your plant, make sure to do so gradually to avoid shocking the plant.
Assessing Your Succulent’s Health
If you’ve noticed your green succulent turning purple, it’s important to assess its overall health to determine if there’s an underlying problem. Here are some signs of stress to look out for and when to be concerned.
Signs of Stress in Succulents
Succulents are hardy plants, but they can still experience stress if their environment or care isn’t optimal. Here are some common signs of stress in succulents:
- Yellowing or browning leaves
- Soft or mushy leaves
- Wrinkled or shriveled leaves
- Wilting or drooping leaves
- Stunted growth or no growth
- Discoloration or unusual spotting
If you notice any of these signs in your succulent, it’s important to take action to address the problem before it worsens.
When to Be Concerned
While some discoloration in succulents is normal and can be due to natural variations in pigmentation, persistent or widespread discoloration can be a sign of a more serious problem. If your green succulent is turning purple and you’ve ruled out environmental factors like lighting and temperature, it’s possible that your succulent is experiencing stress or disease.
If you notice that your succulent is showing multiple signs of stress or discoloration, it’s important to take action to diagnose and treat the problem. This may involve repotting your succulent, adjusting its care routine, or seeking professional advice from a plant expert.
By assessing your succulent’s health regularly and addressing any signs of stress or discoloration promptly, you can help ensure that your plant stays healthy and vibrant for years to come.
How to Fix and Prevent Your Succulent Turning Purple
If you notice your green succulent turning purple, there are several things you can do to fix the issue and prevent it from happening again. Here are a few tips:
Optimizing Watering Practices
Overwatering or underwatering your succulent can cause it to turn purple. Make sure to water your succulent only when the soil is completely dry. You can check the soil moisture level by sticking your finger in the soil up to the second knuckle. If the soil feels moist, wait a few more days before watering. If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water.
Adjusting Light Conditions
Succulents need bright, indirect light to thrive. If your succulent is not getting enough light, it may turn purple. Move your succulent to a brighter location, such as near a south-facing window. If your succulent is getting too much direct sunlight, it may also turn purple. Move it to a location with more shade or use a sheer curtain to filter the light.
Correcting Soil and Nutrients
Succulents need well-draining soil to prevent root rot. If your succulent is turning purple, it may be a sign of root rot caused by overwatering and poor soil drainage. Repot your succulent in a well-draining soil mix. You can also add a slow-release fertilizer to the soil to provide your succulent with the nutrients it needs to thrive.
Temperature and Humidity Control
Succulents prefer warm temperatures and low humidity. If the temperature is too low or the humidity is too high, your succulent may turn purple. Keep your succulent in a warm, dry location and avoid placing it near air conditioning or heating vents. You can also use a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity level in the room.
By following these tips, you can fix and prevent your green succulent from turning purple. Remember to monitor your succulent’s watering, light, soil, and temperature conditions regularly to keep it healthy and happy.
When to Consult a Professional
In most cases, the reasons why your green succulent is turning purple are easily identifiable and can be addressed with simple solutions. However, there are some instances where the issue may be more complex and require the help of a professional.
If you have tried all the solutions mentioned above and your succulent is still turning purple, it may be time to consult a professional. Here are some situations where you should consider seeking help:
- Pest infestation: If you notice signs of pest infestation such as webs, white spots, or holes in the leaves, it is best to seek the help of a professional. They can help you identify the type of pest and recommend the best treatment.
- Disease: If your succulent is showing signs of disease such as black spots, rotting, or wilting, it is best to consult a professional. They can help you identify the disease and recommend the best course of action.
- Root problems: If you suspect that your succulent has root problems such as root rot or root-bound, it is best to seek the help of a professional. They can help you identify the root problem and recommend the best solution.
- Unusual discoloration: If your succulent is showing unusual discoloration such as a sudden change in color or unusual patterns, it is best to consult a professional. They can help you identify the cause of the discoloration and recommend the best course of action.
Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the health of your succulent. Seeking the help of a professional can save you time, money, and stress in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes succulent leaves to change color to purple?
Succulent leaves can change color to purple due to various reasons such as stress, natural pigmentation, environmental factors, pests, and diseases. One of the most common reasons is sun exposure. Succulents produce pigments called anthocyanins, which act as a natural sunscreen to protect the plant from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. If your succulent is receiving too much sunlight, it may start to turn purple.
How can I tell if my succulent is overwatered?
Overwatering is a common problem with succulents, and it can cause the leaves to turn soft and mushy. To check if your succulent is overwatered, gently touch the leaves. If they feel squishy or soft, it’s a sign that you’re overwatering your plant. Another sign of overwatering is when the leaves turn translucent or yellow.
Why are the tips of my succulent turning purple?
If the tips of your succulent are turning purple, it could be a sign of stress. Stress can be caused by various factors such as overwatering, underwatering, temperature extremes, or pests. To fix this, you need to identify the underlying cause and address it accordingly. For instance, if your plant is not getting enough water, you need to water it more often. If it’s receiving too much sunlight, you need to move it to a shadier spot.
What does it mean when a succulent starts to turn reddish brown?
When a succulent starts to turn reddish-brown, it could be a sign of sunburn. Sunburn occurs when the plant is exposed to too much direct sunlight, which can cause the leaves to turn brown or reddish. To prevent sunburn, you need to move your plant to a shadier spot or provide it with some shade. You can also use a shade cloth to protect your plant from the harsh sun.
How do I treat a succulent that’s turning white in the middle?
If your succulent is turning white in the middle, it could be a sign of rot. Rot occurs when the plant is overwatered, and the roots start to rot. To treat this, you need to remove the affected parts of the plant and allow it to dry out for a few days. You can also repot your plant in fresh soil and reduce the frequency of watering.
What are the signs of a succulent dying and how can it be revived?
The signs of a dying succulent include wilting, yellowing leaves, and soft or mushy leaves. To revive a dying succulent, you need to identify the underlying cause and address it accordingly. For instance, if your plant is overwatered, you need to reduce the frequency of watering and allow the soil to dry out between watering. If your plant is not getting enough sunlight, you need to move it to a sunnier spot.
I am an accredited practicing dietitian, experienced gardener and a dedicated cook. I love writing and sharing my experience so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.