Why is Your Succulent Turning Purple? Cause & Solution 2023

Are your succulent turning purple and you have no clue at all what is causing that? Well, you came in just in the right place for that. We will tell you what are the causes, and solutions for them as well.

Succulents have a lovely color that we enjoy. This plant is popular among succulent growers due to its attractive coloration. These plants provide a variety of hues to our eyes, primarily promoting green, which is a nice show for shrub enthusiasts.

Succulents, on the other hand, frequently change their natural appearance when they encounter obstacles in their environment. According to the experts, stress is the main cause of this discoloration. Aside from that, succulents change color when they detect a change in their living space or surroundings. Here, too, high temperatures and harsh lights must be taken into account.

It’s common for succulents to swap out their medicines. However, the discoloration can occur for a variety of causes. Succulents change their natural color to red. Succulent turn purple when they are stressed. Succulents are subjected to negative stress when the temperature changes abruptly.

Succulents are more likely to turn red or purple when subjected to negative stress. The shift in its hue is influenced by high temperatures or bright light, as well as a lack of nutrition and hydration.

The majority of succulent growers intentionally expose their plants to more light so that they may perceive the whole range of color. When a succulent is exposed to direct sunlight, it blushes or develops a red/purple tincture.

Let’s see why is succulent turning purple.

Why is Your Succulent Turning Purple?

The issue that your plant is changing its pigmentation to purple will be addressed in this post. Along with that, some advice will be provided for you so that you may properly care for your plant.

1. Your succulent’s natural color change

Green is the most common color for succulents. Some succulents, on the other hand, exhibit crimson, purple, or even blue hues in their leaves or sides. These plants tend to develop their color as they are physically mature. Some succulent species have leaves that appear to turn purple or scarlet when crushed. They’re also prone to transform into other hues like yellow, white, pink, dark purple, or even black. But, for the most part, they are forced to change their appearance due to negative stress.

2. Extensive use of heat or light

When succulents are exposed to extreme heat or direct light, their cells are severely damaged. The use of direct light or heat impairs your succulent’s ability to operate and finally causes it to die. When succulents are scorched, plants have a discolored appearance. On their sidelines, you’ll notice discolored colors. One of the most common indicators of discoloration in succulents is scorching. It appears to be bleaching or yellowing the plant and corking it.

Heat and light must be taken into mind because your plant may perish as a result. As a result, you must be extremely cautious when placing your plant.

Always keep the lighting requirements in mind when deciding where to put your plant. Because succulents come in a variety of species, this requirement varies. However, most succulent species are discovered to agree with a large amount of brilliant, somewhat directed light, although certain succulents demand partial darkness. During the growing season, give your succulent 6 hours of direct sunlight on a daily basis. This quantity of light is required for succulents to thrive. If your succulent has to be nourished as an indoor plant but isn’t getting enough light, use an LED light. You must maintain 60 watts for 10-14 hours on a regular basis.

3. A lack of watering

When watering your plant, stick to a strict watering schedule. When succulents are hydrated, they instantly turn red or purple in hue. Due to a lack of water, they tend to change color slightly. When succulents are overwatered, they develop a red, purple, or even blue coloring, which finally leads to deterioration. Other indications to look for in your plant include curled leaves, dry soil, and shriveling.

In the winter, you should avoid watering your plants on a regular basis and instead let them go dormant. The dry season is winter. As a result, you must use caution at this time. If your plants are indoors, you must water them at least once a month during the winter months. Otherwise, your plant’s soil would dry out, causing root damage.

You must water your succulents on a regular basis from early spring until late October. Temperatures, plant pot, soil, lighting, and other elements will all influence how much water is needed. You must ensure that the soil dries out between waterings.

4. Overwatering

Underwatered succulents take on a slimmer shape, but overwatered succulents take on a mushy appearance. When succulents are overwatered, they develop thicker. When the leaves become too thick, they rupture. Water balloons are depicted on its leaves. Overwatering causes the succulents to explode, causing serious damage to the plant. This causes the plant to turn purple or dark purple on occasion.

When your succulent is overwatered, don’t water it for three days in a row. The plant will be drained of a large amount of water in this manner. During this procedure, make sure your plant is kept dry and well-lit.

5. Temperature swings on a regular basis

If your succulents’ environment changes frequently, they will become upset. During the winter, they have a difficult time surviving. Succulents require special attention at this time. Succulents will have dry leaves that are likely to turn purple at this time.

During the winter, water your succulents only once a month rather than on a regular basis. When the wintering season begins to fade, gradually increase the amount of water you give your plants. When winter arrives, make sure to continue in the same manner. At that point, you should start reducing the amount of watering you do.

When the winter is done, cover your plant with napkins or cloths. After a few weeks, gradually remove the napkins from your succulents. Your succulent will become accustomed to the heat and illumination again within this time frame.

When the wintering season begins to fade, gradually increase the amount of water you give your plants. When winter arrives, make sure to continue in the same manner. At that point, you should start reducing the amount of watering you do.

This is to emphasize that when the seasons change, succulents’ colors naturally vary as well. As soon as winter is over, be cautious while exposing your shrub to the sunrays.

6. Nutritional deficiency or malnutrition

Succulents are native to the desert. In comparison to other shrubs, they are impenetrable in harsh settings. However, they, like all other shrubs, require nutrients. When succulents detect a lack of nutrition in their soil, they begin to change color spontaneously.

When your plant recognizes that it isn’t getting enough nutrients, it will turn purple. You must ensure that the soil it is growing in is fertilized by using succulent fertilizer. Succulents have been observed to shift their color to yellow when they are severely deprived of nutrients.

The growing season for succulents runs from mid-March to mid-October. Make sure you only use the fertilizer during this time. Succulents remain dormant during the winter. It is never a good idea to fertilize the soil in the winter.

7. Poor soil 

Succulent growth is mainly disrupted when the soil is drained off nutrition. You will spot some circles and packed roots on your plant when drained of nutrition. That is when you have to repot your plant. Always repot your succulent when you notice these types of roots in the pot are growing. Because this way your plant won’t get to last long happily. Poor soil will make your plant turn purple or red. But, most of the time, poor soil becomes the reason for death to succulents. 

You have to ensure repotting your succulent every year if it is young. Repot the young plant in a larger size of pot whenever you are repotting. Although, in the case of repotting a mature and grown succulent you have to maintain the process every 3 to 4 years. 

8. Protection

Succulents trade to purple shading when they are died down to solid daylight. This really safeguards them from solid UV beam openness which harms the cells of the plant or even kills them in unforgiving circumstances.
However, in some cases, it is seen that because of stress or irregular changes in the home causes them to lose their regular green tone.

9. Root frameworks and decay of the roots

Like any remaining plant, roots are the main piece of succulents. Roots issues will cause your succulents to lose their shading and change it to purple, red, or even somewhat blue shade. In such a circumstance, you need to try to deliver your delicious once again from its shape. Attempt to really take a look at your plant in this manner like clockwork or somewhere in the vicinity. As a delicious attendant, you should become acclimated to this.

Be cautious regarding the developments of your succulents. Abstain from moving your succulents often or repotting them again and again. This disturbs the functioning of your plant.

Particularly, mature succulents need additional consideration on this point as regular developments in the long run drives pressure on them. Always make sure that your plant is resting easily or snugly in the soil. Otherwise, they will fail to access water and nutrition from the mold. If they fail to receive it, your plant will eventually fall off and die.

10. Root rot or rotten root

When the tincture of your succulent turns dark purple or black, you know it’s suffering from root rot. As soon as you discover the black roots and soft black leaves on your succulents, cut them off with disinfected scissors or anything similar. After shearing, make sure to repot your plant into a clean pot with fresh mold.

Overwatering is a common cause of root rot. Root rot can also be caused by leaving the roots in water for too long. It’s a delicate situation, so make sure the drainage poles in your succulents’ pots are in good working order. After watering them, always discard the water that remains in the saucer.

When succulents are submerged, they take on a thinner shape, but overwatered succulents take on a mushy appearance.

Finally, your succulents’ tincture will change when they are stressed. As previously stated, stress on succulents is not necessarily harmful, and too much sun exposure might trigger your succulents, turning them red, purple, or even blue. Low temperatures and being submerged are two more sources of stress.

When your succulent begins to turn purple, it is indicating that it is receiving plenty of sunlight and powerful UV radiation. It could also be caused by inadequate mold or soil, a low flow temperature, or a shortage of water. Its green tincture will return once the conditions are restored to their previous state.

Unless your plant is soft and squishy (indicating rot), crispy and dry (indicating underwatering), or white or yellow (indicating scorching), it should be fine. After the stress factors have been removed or reduced, most succulents will most likely revert to their green complexation.

Even though succulents can withstand extreme conditions, you must ensure that you change the environment as needed to prevent your plant from dying.

Observe your succulents and hunt for indications; by quantifying your observations, you can understand their state. Initially, dealing with the stress may be challenging. Pay close attention to the circumstances of your succulent. It will assist you in properly understanding the criteria.

Extremes of heat or cold can put a lot of pressure on your succulents. There is also underwatering, which should be observed and avoided. These are the additional types of pressure or stress that you must address.

Don’t overdo it when trying to generate gorgeous colors in your succulent by exposing it to direct sunshine. Make sure you don’t put yourself in a stressful situation.

If your succulent is coming off or turning purple, it is stressed, which can be caused by intense heat, cold, light, underwatering, or a lack of water. Because of these conditions, the succulents will turn purple. It’s probable that your plants will start coming off from the main plant if you keep them in these harsh conditions (especially if the changes are too frequent). Your succulents will eventually die as a result of it.

Make sure you follow the directions carefully and provide your plants with the proper circumstances. Attempt to keep your succulent’s upkeep on track at all times.

I hope now you know why is your succulent turning purple. All you have to do is to counter the cause and solve the problem and stop it from happening again.