Care of Succulents and Cacti

Succulents, including cacti, are plants with some parts thickened, usually as a water storage tissue. It can be leaves, stems or roots. They have evolved these water storage tissues to survive times of drought. Many come from arid regions and deserts, but some come from places where there is a dry season and plenty of moisture at other times.

Succulents can provide interesting shapes and colourful flowers suitable for indoors and outdoors on balconies, patios and decks. Almost all prefer bright sunny locations such as windowsills indoors and open spaces outdoors.

Planting

Succulents prefer well-draining soil or potting media. In their natural habitats they can absorb moisture quickly when rain arrives and then rest in dry periods using the water that has been stored. So, they will tolerate you forgetting to water them in dry periods. The best times to plant succulents are spring and autumn.

Watering

Don’t overwater your succulents. Water once a fortnight, even in summer, and they may not need watered at all in winter. Make sure the soil has been wet thoroughly but drains away readily and do not let succulents sit in waterlogged soil or potting mix.

Feeding

Succulents don’t need a lot of fertilising. But they will benefit from the occasional application of a succulent fertiliser such as Gro-Sure Houseplant Cacti and Succulent Pump’n’Feed add to the water when watering. This will encourage flowering of many succulents and cacti.

Pests and Disease

Succulents are not often affected by pests or disease but they can suffer from scale insects, mealybugs, spider mites and if over-watered can get rot.

Follow these simple bits of advice and you will get years of easy-care pleasure from your cacti and succulents.

David Brittain
Kiwicare