How to care for cacti and succulents indoors?
We've been cacti and succulents aficionados for years.
These plants have been a source of inspiration for our Back to Nature and Golden collections and are at the heart of what we do.
They are known to be really easy to care for, but they are a few things to be aware of to keep your cacti or succulents healthy and strong for a long time.
It's important to understand that each specimen has different needs and that would be risky to treat them all the same way and we advise to ask your nursery or local plant stores for the best tips.
First of all, what's the difference between a cacti and a succulent? All cacti are considered succulents, but they are succulents that are not cacti! Cacti don't have leaves and present "areoles" from which generally spring the spines. Succulents present thick leaves that contained a sort of juice. These leaves store water, which allow the succulent to survive in harsh condition.
Some general tips for both cacti and succulents:
- Cacti and succulents need a good amount of sunlight to thrive but don't necessarily need full exposure and direct sunlight. The optimum light will depend of your specimen and a bright indirect light can be more than enough.
-Don't neglect the watering part. Water your plants by letting them soak water in a sink or a shallow recipient. Wait for the soil to dry completely before watering again.
-It's common knowledge to avoid over-watering your cacti and succulent as most of them are meant to live in dry climate. Choosing a pot with a drainage hole is essential to avoid rotten roots. Don't forget that all our Capra Designs Pots and Hanging Pots come with a drainage hole and either a water or a plug.
-To help the drainage, choose a specific soil mix (usually with pumice and sand).
How to specifically care for your cacti?
-If you're noticing wrinkles at the base of your cacti, it is a sign you don't water it enough. Remember to soak your cacti in water at least every 2 weeks for it to stay perfectly hydrated.
-If you can, place you cacti in a sheltered spot outside in Summer. Your cacti will get a good amount of sunlight and proper fresh air.
-Wear gloves if you need to repot your cacti. Be careful, its roots are very fragile.
How to specifically care for your succulent?
-Succulents require up at least 6 hours of sunlight to stay healthy and thriving. They'll lean towards the sun so it's important to rotate the pot regularly. Be mindful if you see your succulent leaning as it can be a sign it doesn't receive enough sunlight.
-Don't spray water on your succulents as it can cause moldy leaves!
-Don't worry if the lower leaves fall overtime, it's a normal phenomenon.
However, if your succulent looses her top leaves, it can be a sign of pest or over-watering.
