Pink Witch Succulents Are Going Viral for Their Showstopping Leaves—Experts Share How to Care for Them

When it comes to expanding your plant collection, it can be challenging to find foliage that’s low-maintenance and looks good. But offering the very best of both worlds—and subsequently deserving a top spot in your home—is the pink witch succulent. A type of tree houseleek (Aeonium), this stylish succulent has been going viral on social media because of its beautiful pink and green leaves. Ahead, we spoke with experts to learn all about this rare succulent and how to care for it properly.

What Is a Pink Witch Succulent?

The pink witch varietal is a type of succulent called Aeoniums. As its name might suggest, pink witch succulents have a bright, rose-colored variegation that will give your space a pop of pink color. 

"When it’s kept in bright light, the pink witch can grow vibrant pink leaves with stripes of lime green in a stunning rosette pattern," says Rachel Gillett, owner of Plant Haus Market. "And in shadier spots, the colors can fade to gorgeous blush pink and light green hues." In addition to the variation in color—which Gillett says adds to the plant’s charm—these succulents can produce gorgeous yellow flowers from spring to late winter.

Why Pink Witch Succulents Are Trending

If you're seeing pink witch succulents all over social media, you're not alone. These beautiful succulents have gone viral because of their unique look. "Pink witch succulents are having a moment, which is no surprise to me," says Allison Futeral, owner of Crimson Horticultural Rarities. "They're so unusual and eye-catching with their swirls of pink and green and are so low maintenance."

Finding and purchasing one can come at a cost, though—their skyrocketing popularity makes them more expensive for plant enthusiasts to buy. Gillett notes that pink witch succulents are being sold at a higher price point. “Owning one can also be a bit of a status symbol for plant enthusiasts and collectors,” Gillett says. 

Caring for Pink Witch Succulents

Though some plants are beautiful but finicky, pink witch succulents are a relative breeze. "Despite their exotic appearance, pink witch succulents are relatively low-maintenance, making them a fantastic choice for gardeners of all experience levels," says Sam Neimann, founder of Grown by Design. Here’s a simple breakdown of their care requirements.

Water 

Like most succulents, the pink witch doesn’t need much water. For best results, Niemann says it’s crucial to let the soil dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. While most aeoniums require approximately 0.8 cups of water every 12 days, Gillett recommends looking for visual cues that it’s time to water your pink witch succulent. 

"Stick your finger into the soil up to your second knuckle," she says. "If the soil feels dry, it's time to water." Examining their bottom leaves is another way to determine your succulent’s water needs. "If they’re plump and firm, your plant is probably happy," Gillett says. "But if the leaves feel soft or wrinkly, your plant could need some water."

Sunlight

Pink witch succulents love to be in the spotlight—literally. "[They thrive in] partly sunny locations with well-draining soil," says Niemann. "It is important to provide very bright light." Though lots of sunshine is important, Gillett warns that too much light can potentially sunburn the leaves or even make the color a bit dull. For a happy medium, place your pink witch succulent on a window sill with bright indirect sunlight.

Fertilizer

Since pink witch succulents prefer periodic fertilizing, just a little bit of fertilizer can go a long way. That’s exactly why Niemann recommends applying a gentle liquid fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength during the growing season.

Temperature 

Succulents can hold their own in dry, warm environments—and the pink witch is no exception. If you’re planning to plant your succulent outside, it does best in zones 10 to 11. As for the indoors, pink witch succulents do well in 60 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Repotting Pink Witch Succulents

Pink witch succulents should be repotted when they become rootbound or appear disproportionately larger for their container. However, there’s no rush to repot a succulent the moment it looks a tad big. "It’s quite forgiving and can thrive even in smaller pots for a while," he says. Here's how to do it.

1. Gently remove the plant from its current container.
2. Loosen the roots ever so slightly.
3. Place it into a new pot with fresh, well-draining soil.
   

Propagating Pink Witch Succulent 

Pink witch succulents are pretty simple to propagate. For Niemann, the key to propagating lies in the additional rosettes that grow along their stems. Below is a quick step-by-step guide to propagating like a pro.

1. Before you get started, sanitize your gardening shears to minimize the risk of exposing your trimming to any bacteria. 
2. Cut off a rosette and let the bud callous in a dry spot for a few days. 
3. Put your rosette in a container with well-draining potting soil and place somewhere sunny. 
4. Care for your trimming as you would your original pink witch succulent, and it will begin to grow roots in a few weeks.

Common Problems 

Though pink witch succulents are incredibly easy to care for, they’re not problem-proof. Once your succulents begin to bloom, you might notice aphids crawling all over your pink witches. To help, Niemann applies neem oil as a natural remedy to keep aphids at bay. 

If this is your first time caring for pink witch succulents, you’ll also want to be very careful of how often you water them. "Another frequent problem, especially for indoor growers, is overwatering," Niemann says. "It’s vital to let your pink witch succulent completely dry out between waterings to avoid root rot."