Read this complete guide on how to care for cacti or succulents. I discovered the best tips to keep your plant healthy.
Succulents and cacti are plants that have gained notoriety for their easy maintenance, affordable price, and variety of shapes and sizes. They are an excellent option to decorate the patio or the interior of the house without too much effort. Did you know that all cacti are a type of succulent?
Succulent plants are known to store water in their leaves, stems, or roots in much larger amounts than other plants. This means that they can survive arid climates and high temperatures. This positions them in a privileged place, since their maintenance is much easier than that of other plants. However, although they are very resistant, it is necessary to have certain care and knowledge so that they grow healthy and strong.
If you are thinking of decorating your house with some of these plants, but you don’t know how to take care of a cactus, how to water succulents or what are the right places for them to grow, read this article and clear all doubts. Do you know how to care for a cactus? Or how often are succulents watered?
How to care for a cactus or succulent?
As we have already mentioned, it is not difficult to maintain this type of plants, although it is necessary to know the care of cacti and succulents. Taking into account what factors affect their growth is very important so that they are always strong and healthy.
Follow these tips so that your succulents or cacti are always in perfect condition:
1. Water the succulent, with some frequency, depending on the season.
It is very important to know how and how often to water a cactus or succulent, well… How often do you water a cactus or succulent? And in what way? The plant must be watered deeply – that is, the water reaches the root. It is advisable to let the soil dry well between irrigation and irrigation. Also, take into consideration if your plant is indoors or outdoors, since it will have to be protected during the coldest or rainiest days.
In addition, you must take into account the seasons:
- Spring : at this time, the plant begins to give its buds, so it is advisable to water it once every 10 or 12 days.
- Summer: in the warmer months, is when more doubts arise about how often to water a cactus or succulent. Although these plants endure longer without being watered, in these months the frequency should increase – from every 4 to 8 days.
- Autumn : at the beginning of the autumn, it is necessary to begin to reduce the intensity of the irrigation, being carried out every 8 or 10 days.
- Winter : at this time of the year, watering must be discontinued, taking place every 20 days. If the temperatures are below 10 degrees, it is not advisable to water it as it could rot.
2. Place your cactus or succulent in a place with indirect light.
All cacti and succulents need a lot of lighting: you can place your plant near a window, in a gallery or in a room with a lot of natural light. It is important to know that not all succulents support direct sunlight. For example:
- Cactus species with few spines or succulents require shade and light sun.
- Hairy cacti with many spines or large spines require direct sun.
3. Keep temperatures in mind, as succulents are not fans of extremes.
During the fall and winter months, plants are best kept cool at night, with temperatures around 8 to 10 degrees. In other words, it is better to avoid very hot interiors, since temperatures above 20 degrees can prevent them from making their winter rest. Likewise, most do not support temperatures below 7ºC .
In spring and summer, the plants need good ventilation, but they will survive high temperatures.
4. Use substrate and river sand in the land of your succulents.
Although they support arid soils, they grow healthier and stronger in nourished soils. Therefore, it is recommended to use soil enriched and prepared for this type of plants. Expert gardeners recommend two mixtures for the soil of your cactus or succulent:
- Mix 1 part universal substrate (or moss), 1 part garden soil, and 1 part sand.
- Another recipe is to mix equal parts of universal substrate and sand.
Always remember to use river or garden sand when preparing the soil (this is valid for all plants, not just succulents). Avoid construction sand, which comes from the sea and contains salt: salt tends to dry out plants.
5. Transplant your cactus or succulent, every 2 to 4 years.
This stage is very important for the care of a cactus or succulent. The best time to do this process is in spring. If the plant stops growing, changes color, or roots come out of the drainage holes, it means that it needs to be transplanted.
- How to transplant succulents ? Succulents need to be transplanted every two years .
- Considered a “hardy to go” and low-maintenance plant, a cactus still needs care and attention. In fact, cacti need transplanting every three or four years . If the roots reach the edge of the pot, it’s time to transplant.
6. Choose a pot that is proportional to the size of the plant.
When choosing the pot for your succulent plant, make sure it has good drainage and is not too deep. You can choose different materials, such as:
- Ceramic or clay (terracotta) : they are made of a porous material, so it keeps the roots cool.
- Plastic : they are less ventilated and retain moisture for longer, something that is counterproductive in these plants. In this case, make more holes in the bottom of the pot.
What type of water is suitable for succulents and cacti?
This is a very important point: tap water can be alkaline and/or hard (depending on the area where you live), which means it contains high concentrations of minerals. These minerals can accumulate in the soil of the plant and affect it.
This is one of the reasons why the plants must be transplanted periodically. The buildup of these minerals can also cause deposits to form in pots – especially those made of unglazed clay.
Never use water that has been through a filter system that uses salt as a recharging agent, as these systems simply replace the “hardness” of the water with sodium ions.
Rainwater is preferable to tap water – you can collect it and store it. Always use rainwater a few days after collection, to avoid the generation of mosquitoes.
How to know if my succulent needs less or more water?
The most common enemy of cacti and succulents is excessive watering. A moisture meter is the only sure way to measure how dry or wet your plant’s soil is. When in doubt, don’t water!
Your plant needs less water, if:
- The succulent has a soft appearance.
- The leaves of the plant have become translucent.
- The leaves, usually green, have turned yellow.
- The leaves fall off easily.
Your plant is thirsty for water, if:
- The soil in the pot is very dry.
- The leaves are not firm, hanging down.
- The plant has a less vivid color, duller than usual.
- The cactus is thinner than normal.
How to transplant a cactus or succulent
If your cacti or succulents grow in pots, then the best time to repot them is in the spring.
These are the simple steps for transplanting a succulent:
- Start by watering the plant with water. Let it drain well, before carefully removing it from the pot, using newspaper or garden gloves to protect your hands from the thorns.
- Remove old soil from the roots, using a toothpick or garden fork, so the roots are not damaged. If the roots are very close together, separate them carefully. If you see any rotten roots, you can cut them off.
- Place a layer of enriched soil in the bottom of the new pot (which should be slightly larger in diameter than the plant). Place the plant on that layer.
- Fill the rest of the pot with your potting mix, sand, and garden soil (*see step 4 of the “How to Care for a Cactus or Succulent” segment). Compact the mixture around the plant, with your hands.
- Don’t water for a few days, to prevent damaged roots from rotting.
Now that you know how to take care of succulents indoors, encourage yourself to fill your spaces with these versatile, varied plants that can be adapted to any corner of the house or patio. You just have to take into account the advice we gave you.
key steps
- Let the soil dry well between irrigation and irrigation.
- Take care that it does not give direct sun for a long time.
- Put soil with nutrients and transplant the plant when necessary.