It will take time for your succulent to use all the extra water it has already absorbed into its leaves before it is ready for more. The water is not absorbed into the roots. Container Size – A large container will trap water and cause the roots of the succulent to rot. I water the soil lightly every few days until the roots develop. Overwatered succulents will have leaves and stems that become soft, turn dark, begin to droop, and then drop off. Its stems spread over the ground and produce shoots that create ground cover and a greater root system.