Like the ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) community, there’s a small corner of social media that quietly, methodically pulls dead leaves from succulents with tweezers – and millions of people can’t stop watching. The Instagram user @succulents.nursery has a whole page of tips care for succulentsalong with several ASMR videos of him cutting, pruning and shaping them. Meantime, @succulent_asm is devoted entirely to craft.
The videos are all similar – a gardener carefully picks brown, dried leaves from the base of lush rosettes like echeveriaeach takes a crisp, satisfying snap as it leaves. It sounds incredibly mundane when you read it, but it’s absolutely fascinating to watch.
It’s not a new gardening tip or a revolutionary plant care technique. But when filmed in close-up and paired with crystal clear sound, this simple act becomes strangely compelling – even therapeutic. So what’s going on here? And should you do this to your own succulents? In short: yes. But it doesn’t have to be for the internet.
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Why succulent pruning is so rewarding
There is actually legitimate psychology behind why people find these videos so compelling.
- Visible progress and completion: Just like cleaning a messy room – which, yes, people also watch online – you start with a slightly cheesy succulent covered in dried leaves and remove them one by one. What remains is a clean, symmetrical rosette. Task completed. Dopamine is provided.
- Control and accuracy: Using tongs or scissors to pluck and shape individual leaves requires focus and fine motor control. It is meditative in the same way that coloring, organizing, or other detail-oriented crafts are. You focus on a small task that is entirely in your hands and let the rest of the world fall away.
- Restoration and Care: There is something deeply satisfying about taking something that looks slightly neglected and making it beautiful again. The plant is not beyond saving – it just needs a little tidying up. You don’t save it. you refine it.
- ASMR appeal: That rustling, rustling, and pulling sound you hear when pruning succulents triggers the same sensory responses as other ASMR content. Combine that with the visual transformation and these videos offer multiple sensory rewards at once.
Essentially, pruning succulents it’s the video version of cleaning or organizing in the gardening world – except you’re tending to a living thing, which adds an extra layer of purpose and connection to the work.
How to Prune Your Own Succulents – The Healing Way
If you want to give succulent pruning a try – either for the benefit of your plants or for your own stress relief – here’s how to do it.
1. Gather your tools
2. Assess your succulent
Take a look at the base of the plant and along the lower leaves. Are there brown, papery or completely dried leaves hiding underneath? These are prime candidates for removal. Leave the green and plump leaves – even if they are on the bottom. If it’s stable and healthy, it stays.
(Image credit: Repinanatoly/Getty Images)
3. Prune carefully
Using tweezers, grasp each dried leaf near where it attaches to the stem. Pull gently but firmly in a slight downward motion. Dead leaves should be released cleanly. If someone resists, they are probably not fully spent – let them go. Forcing it can damage the stem or leave an unsightly tear.
Work methodically. Move around the plant in a consistent direction rather than picking randomly. This prevents you from missing hidden cards and turns the task into a slow, deliberate ritual rather than a rush job.
4. Check the stem
Once the dried leaves are gone, the stem may be visible. It should look firm and healthy. If you notice softness, dark spots or mold, which may indicate overwatering or early rot – useful information you may have otherwise missed.
(Image: Christina Siow/Shutterstock)
When to prune – and when not to
Succulents do not require scheduled maintenance such as watering or fertilizing – leaf removal is always done as needed. Here’s when it makes sense.
Good times for pruning:
- When you see fairly dry, papery leaves at the base (this often happens every few months)
- Before transplanting – or shortly after bringing a new plant home
- When you are inspecting for pests and want a clear view of the stem
- Or, frankly, any time you need 10 minutes of quiet time with something that isn’t responding
Skip it if:
- The leaves at the base are still green and healthy. Even if they are slightly less plump, they still photosynthesize and support the plant.
- Your plant is stressed – showing signs of overwatering, underwatering or sunburn. Fix the underlying issue first.
- You just moved your succulent. Like people after a move, she needs some time to settle before you start dealing with her again.
If you’re tempted to turn it into a full ritual, picking up some cheap succulents to practice on isn’t the worst idea. Just be warned: one can easily turn six.
Succulent Choices
Shop Succulents 20-Plant Collection
Altman Plants 6-Pack of succulents
Succulent Selection Echeveria Red Velvet
Try it yourself – Optional camera
You don’t have to film it to reap the benefits of social media. The next time you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or just need a break from screens, grab a succulent and some tweezers.
Put on some music or a favorite podcast and remove those dried leaves one by one. It won’t solve all your problems – few things in life do – but it might give you ten minutes of peace. And in the end, you’ll have a plant that looks a little more cared for – which, in its own little way, feels like progress.
