Many people purchase cactus because they believe they will be
Can cacti thrive in the shade? While some cacti may survive in low light, most cacti require light to survive. A cactus should actually be kept indoors where it can receive at least 4 hours of light every day. Cacti require direct sunlight or very bright indirect light. The ideal indoor sites for cacti are typically on windowsills that face south or east.
Cacti need a lot of light because they are desert plants. However, each variety of cactus has different lighting requirements. It could be helpful to do some study on the particular type of cactus you have. We’ll make an effort to explain how much light your cactus needs in this article.
Can cacti live in the absence of sunlight?
The amount required will vary according on the species, thus your particular cactus may require more or less than this.
Avoid leaving your cactus in direct sunlight for extended periods of time since succulent plants thrive when they can absorb light gradually.
If you must leave it outside during the day, move it every hour or two from a shaded area into indirect sunlight and then back before dusk.
For your plant to grow inside, it needs at least four hours per day of direct sunlight.
During these times, natural light intensity is at its highest, allowing your indoor cactus plant to receive more exposure without jeopardizing its health.
Can cacti withstand dim lighting?
Cacti plants are a particularly hardy category of plants, and they are diversified in addition to being hardy. You might be surprised at what other conditions some cacti can grow in considering how well-known they are for their ability to survive with minimal water and in harsh desert surroundings.
Which cactus grows best in low light conditions indoors? The answer is that there are several different types of cacti, including the scarlet ball cactus, crown cactus, zebra cactus, and Christmas cactus, that can thrive and flourish in low, filtered, or indirect light.
While the cacti that flourish in blindingly brilliant, intensely hot desert situations are the ones that everyone is most familiar with, there are other species that do extremely well in other locations. If you want to brighten up your apartment, office, or any other dimly lit room, you could be pleasantly surprised by the variety of cacti options available to you.
The four best cacti to grow indoors and in areas with little to no light will be covered in this article.
What occurs when a cactus doesn’t receive enough sunlight?
The following query that must be on your mind is whether your cacti plants can endure in low light. The fact is that cacti plants require sunshine to survive, just like any other plant. The plant uses the light energy it absorbs to start chemical reactions that enable it to make food and energy.
Cacti plants, however, can endure low light levels for a while. Your plants will begin to exhibit signs of stress after a few days of insufficient light exposure, such as etiolation and reduced development. Additionally, they will look pallid and lose their lovely, brilliant colors.
Cacti plants may get root rot if they receive too much water and not enough light. The plant will eventually decay from the roots up if the proper steps are not taken to remedy the condition. In fact, it can be very challenging to prevent your plant from dying once root rot begins to develop.
A cactus needs how much sunlight?
Succulents and cacti typically require between 10 and 14 hours of light every day.
However, there are several things that affect how much light you should provide! What kind of light is it? Is it man-made or natural? Is the light direct or indirect?
You should at the very least be aware of whether your succulent prefers full sun, full shade, or a combination of the two. If you’re unsure, you can presume the plant needs full sun. Cacti and succulents in general are!
Ever questioned why you couldn’t simply leave the lights on all the time? That would imply that it is constantly expanding, right?
Actually, not quite. Like people, plants also require rest. Particularly in the case of desert flora. They engage in CAM photosynthesis, a unique type of photosynthesis. They truly only produce plant food at night, unlike other plants. They would starve if the darkness didn’t exist.
How long can cacti survive in the dark?
Succulents are tough plants that can endure many conditions that other plants cannot, but they do have a weakness: they require sunshine to survive. Succulent species and types may grow and survive without direct sunlight, but sadly, they are few and far between. In order to grow successfully, they will also require strong, indirect light.
For the majority of succulents, keeping their shape and color requires being in an area with at least a few hours of sunlight. What if, though, you only wanted to do something simple, like deliver succulents in a box or keep a lovely arrangement indoors while you have visitors? Will and how long can succulents survive without sunlight?
Succulents may endure for brief durations without any light at all. The exact duration will depend on the species, but generally speaking, most succulents will survive without significantly deteriorating for 10–14 days if they are in an area with little to no light. Some succulents that can tolerate shade might last longer.
The majority of the plants we sell at our tiny nursery are sold online, and we ship them all around Australia. I tested a lot of plants before I started the business by placing them in a box and keeping it completely dark for up to two weeks.
How frequently do cacti need to be watered?
The most frequent reason for cacti failure is improper watering, whether it is done too much or too little. Cacti have evolved to store water for extended periods of time and can maintain moisture through droughts because they are endemic to arid regions and dry temperatures. They have a limited capacity, which is why over-watering can result in a variety of issues.
When it comes to regularity, watering your cacti will largely depend on the season but also on the variety. Checking the soil is the easiest technique to determine whether your cactus needs water: It’s time for a drink if the top inch is dry. That entails applying the “soak and dry procedure” on cactus.
What is the soak and dry method?
The soak and dry technique is thoroughly wetting the soil until part of it begins to flow out the drainage hole, then waiting until the mixture is nearly dry before wetting it once more. If done properly, this strategy will help them endure a period of under-watering should you need to travel or leave the house because it takes use of their natural tendency to store water (or if you just get busy and watering falls to the wayside, as happens to all of us now and again).
Watering during the growing season versus the inactive season
Like with many houseplants, the season affects how frequently you need water. It becomes more crucial that you get in the habit of examining the soil to determine whether your cacti are thirsty. A healthy cactus needs watering every one to two weeks during the growing season, according to general wisdom. The frequency changes to once every three to four weeks during the off-season.
Even then, it’s crucial to examine the soil. The same way that not all interior spaces and not all cacti are alike. The only way to be certain that your cactus require watering is to carefully examine the soil to determine how dry it is because there are so many different factors.
Which cacti thrive in the shade?
Try some of these:
- Liquid aloe.
- Jade Tree.
- Euphorbia.
- Hoya.
- Vacation Cacti (Easter, Christmas)
- Animal Foot.
- Agave foxtail.
- Forest Stonecrop
Which cactus don’t require sun?
A group of 19 cacti in the genus Epiphyllum can thrive in less sunny environments. These cacti are also known as climbing cacti and orchid cacti. The epiphyllum cactus is relatively hardy and doesn’t require much maintenance.
Tropical epiphytic cacti called epiphyllum have thin branches and are typically serrated. The most well-known Epiphyllum species include Epiphyllum oxypetalum, strictum, pumila, and others.
Beautiful, fragrant, big flowers, some up to a foot long, are also produced by epiphyllum. Although their coloring can vary, it is often yellow, orange, and pink. From late spring through mid-summer, different flowers blossom.
Due to their tropical and epiphytic nature, epiphyllum receive less sunlight in their native environment because they are typically hidden by branches and other objects.
If your home doesn’t receive much sunlight during the day, you should be able to place your Epiphyllum cactus on the brightest windowsill you have. For these cacti, even a little period of morning sun is frequently sufficient. Bright yet filtered light is ideal for the remainder of the day.
You may need to be cautious when watering because there will likely be less sun and a lower temperature. Winter’s lowest temperature is 60 F. (16 Celsius). To prevent rot, wait until the soil is completely dry before watering. With a stick or a soil meter like this, you can measure the moisture in the soil.
#2: Eriocereus, or Harrisia cacti
A group of about 20 cacti in the genus Harrisia easily and attractively bloom. These cacti have flowers that are about 6-7 inches (15-18 cm) long and bloom nocturnally (at night). These cacti have the typical cacti appearance, with spines on the stem.
Harrisiajusbertii is one of the most well-known members of this genus of cactus. Among other well-known species are pomanensis, bonplandii, and others.
Although Harrisia cacti can withstand light shade and lack of sunlight, they can also withstand partial shade and even some full sun. Place on a windowsill that gets at least some morning to afternoon sun if staying indoors. Protect the cactus from the cold in the winter and make sure the summertime temperature is at least 55 F. (13 Celsius).
#3: Hatiora cacti
A tiny genus of epiphytic cactus called Hatiora has largely spineless leaves. These cacti have numerous branching stems that drop down and are attractive both inside and outside.
If you keep your Hatiora indoors and don’t get much sunlight, put it on a windowsill or another location where it will get as much light as possible. Brilliant morning light and indirect yet bright light throughout the remainder of the day provide the greatest illumination. During the winter, let them hibernate.
To prevent burns, these cacti need cover outside rather than direct sunlight. Be cautious while watering these cacti, and only do so when the soil has largely dried up. The ideal summertime temperature for these cacti is between 70 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit (21-22 C).
You can discover epiphylloides, cylindrica, herminiae, and other hybrids in the Hatiora genus of cacti.
#4: Lepismium cacti
A genus of tropical cactus called Lepismium can survive without direct sunlight and doesn’t need it. In their natural environments, these cacti live on trees or rocks. They bloom in addition to having numerous branching branches (often referred to as trailing plants).
These cactus will look fantastic in offices and interior settings. They just require a few hours of direct light in the morning, so maintain them in a sunny area with warm temperatures.
These cactus will benefit considerably from morning sun in the direct and afternoon shade in the complete. They hate being soggy, so use caution when watering them. Bolivianum, cruciforme, and other Lepismium cactus species are common.
#5: Gymnocalicium cacti
Gymnocalicium, often known as chin cacti, are spine-equipped little and adorable cacti. Gymnocalicium require more direct sunlight than the other cacti listed in this article, yet in their natural habitat, they typically flourish in partial shade.
If you typically have plenty of bright light, at least for a few hours in the morning and shaded light for the remainder of the day, you can grow them at home.
Unless you can maintain them on a bright windowsill, these cacti are not the ideal choice for office desktops. To get plenty of bright light indoors, set them on a bright windowsill. Make sure they are shielded from the sun’s rays throughout the midday hours.
Most Gymnocalicium cacti require protection from direct sunlight. You might need to avoid picking some species because they require full sun. Some species, like schickendantzii and mostii, need full sun.
#6: Schlumbergera cacti
Schlumbergera, popularly known as holiday cacti, is a little genus with few cacti in it. Other common names for these well-known and stunning cacti include Christmas cactus and Mistletoe cactus.
Schlumbergera don’t have the typical cactus appearance; instead, they feature numerous split stem and leaf segments that are fused together. They also have lovely flowers that grow from the areoles and stem tips, most of which are pink but can also be white or yellow. Due to the latter season of their flowering, these cacti received their name.
Schlumbergera are highly common in Northern Hemisphere nations with less sunlight because they thrive in low light and higher humidity conditions (about 60%). Keep this cactus away from drafts, cold, and full sun in the summer and winter.
#7: Rhipsalis cacti
There are about 43 tropical cacti in the genus Rhipsalis, and several of them have hanging stems. In the wild, they can grow on both rocks and trees. You may cultivate these lovely cacti in areas that are both bright and shaded.
These cacti prefer mild summers; temperatures above 77 F (25 C) may be harmful. Put your Rhipsalis cactus in a sunny area with a few hours of morning to afternoon direct sunlight if possible. Shade the cactus thereafter to avoid burns and scarring. Allow them to dorm in the winter and maintain a temperature of about 59 F. (15 C).
Thank you for reading our article about the best low-light cacti! Check out this site for a list of cacti that lack spines.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata)
The snake plant, often called mother-in-tongue, law’s is an easy plant to cultivate both inside and outdoors. It can grow in zones 9 to 11. This low-maintenance plant grows well in dim environments and doesn’t require a lot of direct sunshine. It does well in mostly dry, well-drained soil and can tolerate temperatures between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
It has flat leaves that can be up to three feet long and as wide as one to two inches. Snake plants prefer regular fertilizer in the form of pellets or liquid that releases nutrients gradually. This plant is simple to cultivate under artificial lighting and does well in any room of the house.
Aloe (Aloe Barbadensis)
This plant is probably already familiar to you because to its frequent usage in skincare products and treatment of a number of illnesses. This spider-legged plant can survive in complete darkness. You won’t need to water the plant frequently because of its thick, fleshy leaves’ ability to hold a lot of water.
Growing zones 8–11 and lower temperatures between 50 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit are preferred by it. In order to prevent problems like root rot, aloe vera plants demand well-drained soil. On this plant, you can use the majority of liquid and granular succulent fertilizers; it’s better to treat them when the plant is actively growing in the summer.
Zebra Plant (Haworthia Fasciata)
Another cactus plant that can live without much sunlight is this one. Given the right environmental circumstances, this striped plant, known for its bumpy, white tubercles, can grow rosettes in just a few weeks. Low lighting conditions and chilly temperatures between 50 and 65 degrees are ideal for the zebra plant’s growth. It can be put everywhere in the house, even in the bathrooms and bedrooms.
Zebra plants thrive in soil-based potting mixtures that are loose and well-draining in growth zones 11 and 12. It’s crucial to avoid overwatering the zebra plant because it is susceptible to fungus problems and root rot. Although it is a relatively low-maintenance cactus type, you can apply granular or soil-based fertilizer on this plant.
Green Ice Hybrid (Gasteraloe)
Another succulent type that may endure without much sunlight is this one. It won’t require much water, but when you do, make sure to soak it completely. Given that it will grow less over the winter, it is recommended to water it less frequently. When its thick, prickly leaves start to resemble a fan or a lamp, or when their usual green color starts to turn yellow or brown, you’ll know it’s overwatered.
Growing in zones 6 to 8, the green ice succulent prefers well-drained loam or sand for its potting soil. Even a 1:1 blend of both is OK. This tiny plant is the ideal desktop or tabletop plant and can help give drab shelves, balconies, and patios an unusual appeal.