How to take care of cacti and succulents

 Cacti and succulents are now a very common houseplant and caring for your cacti and succulents is important. They come in a vast range of shapes and sizes from the petite to the grand. Cacti and succulents fall into the same group because they both have characteristics meaning they can survive in arid environments.

The native habitat for most cacti and succulents is a desert. Therefore, they will grow best in lots of light, good drainage, high temperatures and low moisture. However, there are some cacti and succulents, such as Schlumbergera, which have a native environment of a rainforest so prefer semi-shade and humid conditions.

To care for a cacti and succulent, it is best to try to recreate their natural habitat. Here are the main things that you need to consider when caring for your cacti and succulents.

Light, temperature and ventilation

Cacti and succulents thrive with good light sources, and it is best to place cacti and succulents in a bright place. A south facing position will provide good sunlight.  However, be careful to not put them in direct sunlight because the intense light can make the plants turn a yellow colour. The optimum light depends on the variety of cacti and succulent that you are growing. For example, forest-growing epiphytes, such as Rhipsalis, need semi-shade, but an Echeveria needs bright light.

During the autumn and winter months, it is best for the plants to be kept cool at night with temperatures of around 8°C to 10°C.  In the spring and summer the plants need good ventilation, but will survive in high temperatures.

Compost

A free-draining compost, such as any potting mix is a good compost to use as it has added girt and sand for optimum drainage. It also contains the right level of nutrients for your cacti and succulents.

Watering and feeding

There is a common misconception that cacti and succulents only require a small amount of water. Even though they have water-storing characteristics in their leaves and stems which allow them to survive in dry habitats, they will certainly not thrive with little water. Watering is an essential part to how well your cacti or succulent grows. Overwatering will stunt growth, but under-watering causes shrivelling.

Tepid rainwater should be used for watering, rather than tap water. This is because the minerals in tap water build up in the soil and can cause deposits on the leaves.  Minerals also disrupt the flow of essential nutrients to the plant.

Spring and summer

In the growing season, the plants should be watered at least once a week. When watering, the soil should be given a good soaking, allowing excess water to drain away.  Allow the compost to dry out slightly between each watering.

Feed your plants once a month using NPK which is a good formula to use. It helps them to produce healthy growth with more disease tolerance and better flowering. Simply use the dosing chamber to get a 5ml dose of the feed and add to 1 litre of water.

Autumn and winter

This is the time where the plants enter a rest period. Watering should be reduced so that the potting mix dries out between the watering. The regularity of watering is dependent on the environment they are in and the variety of succulent. Winter-flowering cacti needs to be in the warmth and have regular watering at this time, but desert-dwellers can be left un-watered. You do not need to feed cacti or succulents during this period.

Re-potting

If your cacti or succulent is pot-bound, then the best time to re-pot is in the spring. To re-pot:

• Firstly water the plant and allow to drain before removing carefully from the pot, using folded paper to protect your hands against the spikes.
• Clear away the old soil from the roots with a thin stick, such as a chopstick, so that you do not damage the roots.
• Put a layer of potting mix in the new pot, which is slightly bigger in diameter, and sit the plant on it.
• Fill the rest of the pot with the potting mix and firm down.
• Do not water for a few days to prevent rotting of damaged roots.

Keeping these conditions gives the best care for your cacti or succulent. Most importantly, remember when it comes to the caring for your plant is that you are trying to recreate its natural habitat.