Yes, succulents can survive in air-conditioned rooms because they’re resilient to different temperatures, provided the space is appropriately illuminated, and that warm and freezing temperatures aren’t intense. Succulents do well in temperate climates whose temperatures range from as high as 40 to 80°F. Some of these plants withstand temperatures as high as 90°F or as low as 40°F.
You can use extreme temperatures to push your succulents into changing color. 80 to 90°F can, at times, help most succulents maintain deep colors. As the temperatures go down but not below 40°F, most colors start intensifying.
However, too high (over 90°F) or extremely low temperatures (below 40°F) can harm your succulents.
Here are a few tips for taking care of succulents in air-conditioned rooms.
Ensure Your Succulents Have Plenty of Breathing Room
Succulents thrive in adequately ventilated dry and bright spaces with low heat. Ensure there’s sufficient airflow around the plants. You can open windows to let in more.
If the room doesn’t have windows, renovation experts like Easy Renovation can help add them and other openings you may need. An air vent can also help. A well-ventilated space helps with soil drying or draining while helping keep track of the plant’s watering needs.
Use the right soil For Your Succulents
Porous, well-draining soils with loose, grainy textures are essential for succulents to prevent them from developing root rot. If the soil you use doesn’t drain well, you might have to change your watering habits to ensure the plants don’t dry out or get root rot.
For plants growing in heavier soils, give them enough time to dry completely, and if you’re using lighter soil, such as a cactus mix or sand, you might have to water a little more.
Water only as needed
Succulents are low maintenance, mainly when it comes to watering them. While the watering frequency depends on your growing conditions and species, you should wait for most of these plants to dry out fully between watering schedules. This means the soil should be crumbly and bone-dry before watering them again.
Should the stems and leaves start browning or wrinkling, it’s a sign that your succulents are dehydrated and need water. If you’re unsure of the right amount of water, it’s better to under-water your succulents than overwater them, giving them an excellent opportunity to bounce back.
Keep your succulents away from the AC vents
Keeping indoor succulents close to the air conditioning vents dehydrates the plants or damages plant cells because of the direct cold air blasts. Consider shifting your plants away from the air vents and ensure the lighting conditions for the specific plant are met.
Improve humidity levels
Boosting indoor humidity levels around your succulents can help them flourish. Air conditioning is usually drying, reducing humidity levels to around 30-40% in many air-conditioned rooms. Ensure a 40% or higher humidity level. While you can’t keep the house this humid, you can create a micro-humid climate. You can achieve this using pebble trays, adding a dehumidifier, grouping plants together, and misting and huddling the plants.
The leaf tips may become brown, crusty, or shriveled if your succulents get excess humidity. The leaf edges may turn yellow, and flowers and buds may wither or fall. When plants aren’t getting enough moisture, leaf patches may get gray mold. Stem or leaf patches may also rot.