Why is my succulent turning a red color? If your succulent leaves turn brown, look limp and soggy, it is likely that you have given them too much water. They could be getting too much sun, or the browning might result from a pest infestation. While it can be difficult to identify the exact insects, you might see a fine, powdery substance under the leaves. This is likely to indicate that there is a mealybug infestation. Scale insects, however, are not wingless like mealybugs and don't cluster.