Nowadays, cacti and succulents are highly popular indoor plants, therefore taking good care of them is crucial. They occur in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, ranging from the small to the enormous. Because they share traits that enable them to endure in arid conditions, cacti and succulents belong to the same category.
The majority of succulents and cacti are endemic to desert environments. They will therefore thrive in conditions with lots of light, good drainage, hot temperatures, and little wetness. However, some cacti and succulents, like Schlumbergera, enjoy semi-shady and wet environments because that is their natural habitat.
The easiest way to take care of cacti and succulents is to try to mimic their natural environment. The essential factors you should take into account when taking care of your succulents and cacti are listed below.
Light, temperature and ventilation
It is advisable to arrange cacti and succulents in a bright area because they do best with good light sources. A place that faces south will get plenty of light. But be careful not to place them in direct sunlight since the strong light may cause the plants to turn yellow. The best kind of light for growing cacti and succulents depends on the species that you are using. For instance, forest-dwelling epiphytes like Rhipsalis require some shade, whereas an Echeveria requires strong light.
It is ideal to keep the plants cool at night, between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius, during the fall and winter. The plants will survive in high temperatures, but they require sufficient ventilation in the spring and summer.
Compost
Since Westland cacti and succulent potting mix has included girt and sand for the best drainage, it is a good compost to use. Additionally, it has the ideal quantity of nutrients for your succulents and cacti.
Watering and feeding
It’s a popular misperception that succulents and cacti just need a tiny bit of water. Although their leaves and stems can store water, allowing them to survive in dry environments, they will not grow in environments with little water. Your cactus or succulents’ ability to develop successfully depends on regular watering. Underwatering results in shriveling while overwatering stunts growth.
Instead of using tap water to water plants, use lukewarm rainfall. This is because the minerals in tap water can settle on the leaves and accumulate in the soil. Additionally, minerals obstruct the plant’s access to vital nutrients.
Spring and summer
The plants need to be watered at least once a week during the growing season. Give the soil a good soak when watering, letting any extra water run away. Every time you water the compost, give it a little time to dry out.
Utilize Westland Cacti and Succulent Feed, a recommended recipe to use, to feed your plants once a month. They create more robust growth that is more resistant to disease and has superior flowering thanks to it. Simply use the dosing chamber to acquire a 5ml dose of the feed and add to 1 litre of water.
Autumn and winter
The plants enter a period of rest at this time. Reduce watering so that the potting mix dries out in between applications. The type of succulent and the environment it is in will determine how frequently it has to be watered. Winter-flowering cactus should be kept warm and watered frequently now, whereas desert-dwelling cacti don’t need to be watered. Cacti and succulents don’t need to be fed during this time.
Re-potting
The optimal time to repot cactus or succulents that are pot-bound is in the spring. To replant:
- Before carefully taking the plant from the pot, water it and let it drain. Use folded paper to shield your hands from the spikes.
- To avoid damaging the roots, remove the old soil from around them with a thin stick, like a chopstick.
- The new container, which has a slightly larger diameter, should be filled with potting soil before placing the plant inside of it.
- The remaining potting mix should be added to the pot and compacted.
- To stop the rotting of injured roots, stop watering for a few days.
The finest care for your succulents or cacti comes from maintaining these conditions. The most crucial thing to keep in mind when taking care of your plant is that you are trying to mimic its natural environment!
Is it better to keep cacti inside or outside?
Do you secretly yearn to live in the desert? Plant a cactus to begin your path toward your dream. In regions where they can withstand freezing temperatures, these low-maintenance plants make beautiful landscape plants as well as ideal houseplants. You did read that correctly, There are a ton of cold-tolerant cactus species! For instance, prickly pear cacti may survive rather far north. Giving a cactus what it wants in terms of light, soil, water, and food can ensure its success in any location.
Where to Grow a Cactus
Cactus plants come in a wide variety, some of which even grow in trees! However, the majority of individuals either grow theirs inside as houseplants or outdoors in the landscape. Always read the plant tags for precise information, but in general, cacti want full light and soil that drains quickly. This calls for growing close to a window that faces south or west indoors.
When the nighttime temperature is at least 65 degrees F throughout the summer, you can bring indoor cactus plants outside. Move them to an area with more sun after they have spent some time outside in a protected area getting accustomed to it. If you intend to transport plants between indoors and outdoors, morning sun is optimal.
When to Plant a Cactus
Try to put a cactus outside in the late spring or early summer while the plants are actively growing. They’ll start off more smoothly and swiftly put down roots.
How to Plant a Cactus Outside
1. Most cactus plants require light, permeable soil. Mix native soil and Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Cactus, Palm & Citrus in equal parts to prepare the soil in the planting location. The cactus is protected by Moisture Control technology against both over- and under-watering, both of which can be problematic.
2. Create a hole that is 11/2 times as big and as deep as the stem or root ball of the plant (some transplanted cacti don’t have large root balls).
3. Position the plant in the hole so that its north side faces that direction. If there isn’t a flag or chalk marking this side, make sure to inquire before you leave the garden center. Here’s why it’s significant: The more sun-exposed south side of the plant typically produces tougher skin that is more resistant to sunburn. On the other hand, the north side might not be able to withstand the sun as well.
4. Add more soil mixture to the area around the root ball and gently pat it down.
5. Lightly water.
6. To acclimate a cactus to the intense outdoor sun before planting one that was produced in an outdoor greenhouse, cover it with a little amount of shade cloth for a few weeks.
How to Plant a Cactus Indoors
1. Choose a container that is 112 times as broad as the stem or root ball of the cactus. You might want to use an unglazed container because it will dry out more rapidly if your environment is humid or you have a tendency to water plants excessively.
2. Add fast-draining to the pot until it is 1/3 full. The perfect nutrients are included in Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix to give your cactus a head start.
3. Set the cactus in the pot with the stem or root ball at the same depth as it was before being moved. To protect your hands, put on gloves or cover them with many layers of newspaper.
4. Fill in the area around the rootball, leaving a space of about an inch between the soil’s top and the container’s rim.
5. Lightly water the soil until it resembles a wrung-out sponge.
How to Water a Cactus
It may come as no surprise to find that under-watering is the second most prevalent reason for cactus plant deaths, even though over-watering is the most common cause. Finding the sweet spot can be challenging because it differs in the summer when plants are actively developing from the winter when they are more passive. A decent rule of thumb is to water your cactus when the top 3 inches of soil are dry if you’re growing it indoors. This might imply a few times every week during the summer and just once every four to six weeks throughout the winter. Watch out for your plants: They likely need water if they start to appear a little wilted. However, unless there hasn’t been any rain in your region for several months, you shouldn’t need to water your cactus at all outside.
How to Feed a Cactus
Cacti may not require a lot of water, but they do require food. If you used Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Cactus, Palm & Citrus to prepare the soil before planting your cactus outdoors, you should begin feeding it Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food a month after planting. This will provide your prickly baby quick nutrients. Meals should start for potted cactus plants approximately a month after planting. Apply Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food directly to the soil, then water as usual to feed your succulent plants. Make sure you read the instructions before using any type of plant food.
How to Prune a Cactus
Put simply, don’t! If you do, all you’ll get is a cut-site area of corky, dried-out scar tissue. The best course of action if your cactus outgrows your living space is to give it to a friend who has more room and get a new, smaller specimen for yourself.
Dealing with Cactus Problems
If you don’t submerge your cactus, it should continue to thrive with little trouble. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do to prevent rot problems caused by overwatering besides starting over.
Where should a cactus be planted for good luck?
Say goodbye to bad energy by placing your living cactus plants in a bright area with good airflow. Cactus plants should be placed in good Feng Shui to shield people from the negative energy rays that the cactus spines emit in all directions.
Is it acceptable to have cacti inside the home?
Have you ever questioned why people keep cacti indoors? The truth is that these plants are both aesthetically pleasing and robust. Cacti and a variety of other indoor plants can help you feel more at home. The advantages of cultivating these succulents inside actually outweigh the drawbacks. Your plant will take care of you as long as you know how to care for it.
So, is having a cactus at home a smart idea? Yes is the clear-cut response. There are several health advantages that cacti and other houseplants can provide for humans. These succulents are also extremely simple to grow and care for. Your productivity can increase, your breathing will improve, and you’ll feel happier around indoor cactus. They also have special healing qualities and make your place feel like home.
Cacti bring luck, right?
According to a story on Unang Hirit, the adorable spiky plants of different species are supposed to be lucky charms. Cacti, in Chinese Feng Shui, represent prudent expenditure. It is thought that cactus may balance the energy flow in your home and divert negative energy, bringing about positive transformations.
Is cactus excellent Feng Shui for homes?
Living cactus plants make lovely, affordable decorations. Traditional Feng Shui states that, like people and animals, slowly growing cactus plants absorb and emit energy. The traditional Feng Shui decorating manual advises utilizing indoor plants with rounded, soft leaves for interior decoration and staying away from cactus spikes and indoor plants with sharp points. There are, however, Feng Shui remedies that can gather and reroute the energy emanating from the points. Cacti are the remedies.
The smooth energy flow is allegedly harmed by sharp edges and leaf points, especially cactus spikes, according to good Feng Shui decorating advice. Cactus plants are also traditional Chinese representations of saving money and making good decisions. Cacti are a traditional Feng Shui remedy for rerouting energy and drawing riches.
Good Feng Shui and decorating with cacti
Water and cactus plants assist Feng Shui create a home for riches. Slow-growing cactus plants should be placed in your home’s Wealth area according to Feng Shui principles. When these little indoor plants are properly cared for, they may absorb water, grow healthily, appear lovely, and bloom, gradually changing the energy in your home’s favor and bringing in prosperity.
My cactus can I put outside?
Many gardeners think it’s nearly impossible to cultivate cacti outside or that these succulents can only survive in hot, dry climates. Thankfully, that is not the situation. Plants like cacti and other succulents are excellent for landscaping. They can grow and thrive in a variety of climates, need minimal upkeep, and are always simple to grow and take care of.
So, are cacti a healthy outdoor plant? Yes. Although cacti plants often flourish in indoor settings, many kinds can also thrive when planted outdoors. You can always locate a suitable cactus species that can survive outside, regardless of the climate in the area where you live.
While some cacti species can withstand extreme heat and light, other types thrive in cold winter settings. It is up to you to identify the species that will thrive in your region.
What species of cactus is blessed?
The cactus referred to as good luck. The scientific name for cactus is Euphorbia trigona. Its name may have been inspired by its simple maintenance requirements or by the color green, which is frequently linked to luck and fortune. It is a low-maintenance succulent plant. Due to its milky sap, it is also known as the African milk tree.
Make sure the location of your good luck cactus is suitable for growth. It prefers lots of indirect sunlight but avoids full sunlight because it can burn if overexposed.
Look at the soil. Cacti thrive in fast-draining soil that contains predominantly sand and may also contain smooth stones, pumice, or grit. The cactus will rot in a soil that is too compact or wet.
- Euphorbia trigona is another name for the cactus known as the good luck cactus.
- Its name may have been inspired by its simple maintenance requirements or by the color green, which is frequently linked to luck and fortune.
To encourage new growth, add a tiny amount of fertilizer diluted in water in the spring; do not use it at any other time of the year. The good luck cactus grows slowly and is easily overfed.
rarely use water. During its growth cycle, once every two to three weeks should be adequate, and during its dormant stage, it requires no watering at all. If in doubt, avoid watering. Before watering, the soil should be absolutely dry.
Warm up the cacti. 55 degrees Fahrenheit is about the right temperature for it. Since it is a desert plant, it cannot endure extreme cold. Keep it somewhere where the temperature won’t go below about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Euphorbia trigona will perish after just a few hours under subfreezing conditions.
- To encourage new growth, add a tiny amount of fertilizer diluted in water in the spring; do not use it at any other time of the year.
- During its growth cycle, once every two to three weeks should be adequate, and during its dormant stage, it requires no watering at all.
New good luck cactus are simple to root in the spring. Cut-up remnants of the original cactus are buried in the sand. Because the sap is poisonous and irritant to the skin, wear gloves and exercise caution.
Keep in mind that good luck cacti require little maintenance and water, and you ought to be OK. As long as it is placed correctly, this plant can mainly be left alone.
Watering Euphorbia trigona throughout the winter will make it decay because it is dormant at the time. It only requires water in the spring and summer, with its needs decreasing in the fall.