Practical and very decorative succulents are a group of juicy fleshy plants that include cacti. These plants are ideal for anyone who is not overly talented at growing plants. Due to the ability to retain water in the leaves, stem, or root – succulents are an ideal choice for anyone who doesn’t have time to water the flowers regularly or whose plants simply fail to last longer. But for them not to end up in the trash – you need to know the basics of caring for this type of plant. So, how do you take care of succulents and cactus indoors?
Cactus And Other Succulents – A Nice Home Decoration
No other plant provides as many opportunities for decoration and arrangement as a cactus. That is why the most popular plants are succulents that do not require much care. However, there is a term Killed Cactus. It means that the owner can do the damage by neglecting or due to too much care. To prevent this from happening to you if you opt for this plant – follow a few of our tips and you will have beautiful cacti in your home garden.
The Sun
Cactus needs as much light as possible to grow and bloom – but these plants mustn’t be exposed to the strong sun all day long. Therefore, the ideal position is a window, balcony, or garden on the southeast side. Cacti should be brought to light gradually after the winter – and with the first heat, they are removed from direct sunlight. Artificial lights such as bulbs or neon lights – really help, but can not replace natural light.
Pots
The first step is to plant your new cactus or succulent from a temporary bag into a pot. The pot should be large enough for the succulent plant to grow. However, you should not use too large pots. It is best to use a mixed type of soil that is suitable for this type of plant – as succulents require soil that does not absorb much liquid. When you buy succulents in specialized shops such as Succulentmarket, you should inquire about the conditions that species need. It is also important to pour pebbles or special balls into the pot – that draw moisture from the ground. Terracotta pots are the best choice for succulents – because terracotta itself is porous. Therefore, it helps drain the soil and allows oxygen to flow all the way to the roots.
Soil
It is wisest for beginners to buy soil substrate for cacti. They should choose those that are based on peat, have a lot of quartz sand or coconut fiber. Be sure to add coarse sand or pebbles to make the substrate porous. The soil substrate should contain half a pebble and sand. It would be ideal to transplant young plants every year in the spring to provide them with fresh substrate and a place to grow. This is useful because it is important to inspect the roots regularly for possible diseases or woolly root lice.
Watering
It is a mistake to believe that cacti do not need water – but it is even worse if they are constantly watered. They are watered when the soil is completely dry or ready to crack. In winter, once a month, and in summer, you should touch the ground – so as soon as it is dry when it is scratched – it is time to water with soft water. Plastic pots are lighter, cheaper, require less watering -and are easy to wash. The only drawback is that they do not absorb moisture. However, they are the best solution for beginners with small cacti. Clay pots give stability to tall plants. They absorb water very well – but algae can be created inside them, and they also need stronger shelves. Succulents that are columnar in shape should be planted in pots – whose diameter is half the height of the plant. The container must have a hole for draining water, and a piece of brick or mesh should be placed over it – to prevent the substrate from spilling out of the container.
Rules
After the basic rules that apply to the sun, land, and watering, all that remains is to learn and always keep in mind a few universal rules:
- More cactuses die from excess than from lack of water
- The soil must dry out between two waterings
- The leafy the plant, the more water it needs
- The smaller plant dries out before the larger one
- Plants in ceramic pots require more water than those in plastic
- The larger the pots, the less often they should be watered
Reproduction
Most succulent plants reproduce very easily and there are several ways to do this. The simplest is to tear off the leaf (do not touch the inner leaves) – and let it stand for a few days until you feel that the ends have dried under your fingers and insert it into the ground. After the roots have sprouted from the torn ends – gently transplant the leaf into a pot with soil. Although they are not susceptible to diseases, periodically clean the succulents – so that they are not attacked by mites. This will prevent the parasites from settling, and the plant will be grateful to you.
Species That Need More Heat
Some of these species suit warmer conditions. Some of them are Agave, Aloe Vera, Sempervivum, and Zebra cactus. Then, you will need to make sure that they are placed in warmer conditions. However, they shouldn’t be located at the heat source itself – because that way they will dehydrate faster. We suggest you opt for green types of succulents. There is a reason why we say this. If you opt for the succulent with green leaves – the plant will have more chance to survive indoors.
Airy Space
Give your cactuses and succulents a place to breathe inside. In the outdoor environment, they can grow perfectly well even in dense layouts. However, if you want these plants to thrive in lower interior light – it is best to separate them from other greenery and place them in the brightest place. That way, most sunlight will reach them.
Conclusion
As you can see, these plants really don’t require so much care. Moreover, too much care can inadvertently harm them. That’s why we hope that the advice from this text will be helpful to you. Cactuses and succulents can look very beautiful and attractive. A cactus that blooms has a special charm. You can choose between smaller and larger species – and everything will look equally attractive in your home. We hope our tips will help you grow succulents and cactuses successfully.
