Caring for Indoor Succulents & Cacti
Succulents and cacti are unique because of their ability to store water in their foliage. These are great indoor plants because they are low-maintenance and come in a variety of colors and geometric shapes.
Light requirements
Both succulents and cacti love bright light, but not all can tolerate intense, direct sunlight. Cacti can handle hot, direct sun. These plants need to be near a window to thrive, preferably a southern-facing area to maximize their exposure to the sun. Full sun can be too much for some succulents, especially if the plant isn’t accustomed to it.
If your succulent has long spindly growth, try slowly increasing the amount of sunlight it receives. You may see calloused, burnt leaves if your succulent receives too much sun.
Water
Less water is better than too much for these desert natives. Cacti and succulents like to be thoroughly watered and then dry out quickly after. Wait until the soil is almost completely dry before watering again. After watering, if water has drained into the cachepot or a saucer beneath the pot, empty out any excess. Never let cacti and succulents sit in water.
If your cacti and succulents are planted in a container without a drainage hole, use less water so the soil does not become soggy. These types of containers will also need to be watered less frequently than those with drainage holes.
The frequency of watering also depends on heat and light. More of either and they’ll dry out faster, thus needing to be watered more often.
Planting & Repotting
When planting or repotting, always use well-draining cacti or succulent soil because it offers great drainage and won’t hold too much moisture and become soggy.
Succulents and cacti rarely need to be repotted because they grow slowly and have small root systems.
For more information about succulent and cacti varieties and their care, see our blog post, A Guide to Succulents & Cacti.
Swansons Nursery
9701 15th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117
www.swansonsnursery.com garden@swansonsnursery.com (206) 782-2543