How to Care for Cactus & Succulents - Expert Tips for Thriving Plants

Cactus and Succulents are really cute little houseplants that stand out. Cactuses are tough-looking with sharp spikes or thorns meant for protection, while Succulents have a “chubbier” look. They have fleshy leaves and stems that form interesting patterns. Both come in various colours, shapes and patterns, so you're sure to find one you like!

It may seem surprising, but they are known for their large, colourful blooms that create striking contrasts. If you want to see those flowers, it's important to give your plant some rest in winter so they can go through proper dormancy. Just remember, not all species can bloom in indoor conditions.

When kept indoors, they stay small and are perfect as tabletop plants. They are native to arid areas in America and Africa and therefore are drought-tolerant and easy to care for. They only ask for one thing from you - a lot of light!

Cactus & Succulent Care: 10 expert tips for growing them successfully

1. Your Cacti and Succulents love lots of light. Find a spot near the window where they can get lots of natural light and even some morning or evening direct sun.
2. Be careful with direct sunlight. Although some species tolerate it very well, others may get burned, and you'll see brown or red patches on them. If possible, get them used to the sun gradually and avoid the midday sun.
3. When your Cactus or Succulent grows tall and skinny, it may reach for light. You can move it to a brighter place, but don't expose it to direct sunlight too suddenly.
4. Turn your plants from time to time. It is common for Succulents and Cacti to lean towards where the light comes from. Rotating them keeps them straight and prevents them from leaning.
5. Make sure you don't overwater. Since they store water, they require less watering than other houseplants. You can get root rot and mushy stems very quickly if you overwater.
6. Although they're drought tolerant, they still need regular watering. It’s best to wait until the soil has dried out completely before watering again.
7. Use a potting mix made specifically for Succulents and Cacti. It makes sure that the soil is well-draining and light so the roots don't get waterlogged.
8. Succulents often shed their lower leaves as they grow, which is typically normal. However, if shedding is excessive, it may be due to overwatering or insufficient light.
9. Keep an eye out for pests and fungal diseases. If you see anything suspicious, take immediate action to avoid further damage.
10. Give your Cactus and Succulent a rest during the winter. From October to March, you cut back on watering and don’t fertilise them at all.

Cactus & Succulents Care Tips

Light requirements

Cactuses and Succulents love a lot of light! They're happiest in bright but indirect sunlight. Some can handle direct sunlight, but it's best to introduce this gradually to avoid sunburn. They usually enjoy several hours of sun each day, ideally in the morning and evening when the light isn't as intense.

Expert tip! Too much direct sunlight can cause them to get sunburned, showing up as white or brown/reddish patches. If your plant is sunburned, try moving it back from the window or into a spot with less direct light, or you can use blinds or curtains to diffuse those intense sun rays.

If a Cactus or Succulent doesn't get enough light, it can stretch towards the light source, making the plant tall and thin, a process known as etiolation. The plant's colour may also fade, and its growth could slow down.

Watering

Cactuses and Succulents are desert plants, so they prefer their soil to dry out completely before being watered again. Since their pots are usually pretty small, it can be tricky to tell if the soil is dry. A handy trick is to peek at the soil through the drainage hole at the bottom, or you can even lift the pot and feel its weight. A pot with dry soil will be much lighter than one with wet soil. If these plants don't get enough water for a long period, they'll start to wrinkle.

Cactuses and Succulents are very sensitive to overwatering. If you notice the leaves or stems turning yellow, becoming transparent, or looking mushy, you might be overwatering. Always remember, it's better to underwater than overwater these plants. Those tough plants will forgive you for those drought periods.

Expert tip! Cut back on watering your cute little plants during the winter months, from October to March. Since soil will dry out slowly, overwatering is a big threat.

Fertilising

Cactus and Succulent plants don't require fertiliser very often. Plants like them thrive in soil that isn't rich in nutrients. It is usually sufficient to fertilise them one to three times with half-diluted PLNTS Nutrition houseplant fertiliser during the growing season. Be sure to avoid fertilising in the winter, when most of these plants go dormant and stop growing.

Temperature & humidity

They enjoy temperatures between 18 to 29°C. As for humidity, they're not big fans of damp air. They're happiest in a dry environment, with humidity levels between 10% and 60%. So perfect houseplant for a home with dry air!

Expert tip! Dormancy in winter and cooler temperatures will encourage blooms in spring. If you grow one of these flowering species, such as Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii or Euphorbia Ritchiei, a spot with bright light and a temperature around 10°C would be perfect during this period.

Repotting & soil

Cactuses and Succulents are pretty easy-going when it comes to repotting. They actually enjoy being slightly root-bound, so you'll only need to repot them every 2-4 years or when they outgrow their current pot. We recommend choosing soil that is specially made for Succulents and Cactuses, like PLNTS Succulent potting mix. This type of soil ensures good drainage and is lighter, preventing the roots from becoming waterlogged.

Expert tip! When repotting a Cactus, always remember to protect your hands - a pair of thick gardening gloves or a folded newspaper can work great to avoid those spikes.

Cactus & Succulent Propagation

It's actually pretty easy to propagate these cute little plants. You can propagate them through stem cuttings or seeds. The easiest method is using stem cuttings. This means taking a small piece or 'pup' from the Cactus or Succulent. Then plant it in the well-draining Cactus and Succulent mix.

Keep an eye on it for a while - don't let it get too dry, but also don't overwater it. After a while, it should start to grow roots. You can tell when this happens if you gently pull (don't pull it out of the soil!) the plant, and it doesn't come right out of the soil, that means the roots are holding it in place. Or you can gently peek into the soil and see the roots. As soon as it has been established, it can be treated like its mother plant!

Seed propagation is easy, but it's extremely time-consuming. However, it's really fun to see how your Cacti or Succulents will grow from zero! Just sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil and keep it slightly moist. Now sit back and enjoy watching your plant grow!

Common pests on Cactus & Succulents

Even though these plants rarely get infested by pests, they still have a chance of getting infected. The most common pests for these plants are spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. These little bugs can cause quite a bit of trouble for your cute little plants. Regular checks will help you to prevent any major infestation.

Do you suspect that your plant has some uninvited visitors? Check our PLNTSdoctor page to know how to get rid of these pests.

Are Cactus & Succulents toxic for pets or children?

Unfortunately, some types of Cacti and Succulents can be toxic to dogs, cats, and even humans if ingested. We recommend checking out the specifics of your Cactus or Succulent to see if it's safe. But even if they're not toxic, it's always better to keep them out of reach from children and pets - those sharp Cactus spines can hurt and cause discomfort!

Buy your new Cactus and Succulent at PLNTS.com

At PLNTS.com, you can buy Cactus and Succulents online. You can choose between beautiful Ledebouria Socialis and Crassula Garnet Lotu or unique shape plants like Euphorbia Ritchie, MyrtilloCactus Geometrizans, Euphorbia Marmorata, Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii. We got one cute little plant for everyone - buy your new Cactus or Succulent online at PLNTS.com.