Cacti and Succulents:  Ideal Plant for Beginners

Cacti and succulents are easy to grow plants that have thick fleshy tissues which conserve water. This ability to hold water enables them to thrive in hot dry arid climates.

These types of plants require little maintenance but must have bright to intense light. They can be grown in any sunny area. They come in a wide variety of colors and forms and make excellent houseplants.

Some cactus and succulent types have striking appearances and can be used as potted indoor plants.

These include Aloe Vera, crassulas, Echeverias, peperomias and kalanchoes. 

Their plump leaves make them more able to withstand the dry air of the indoor environment.

If you are a beginner and want to start an indoor garden that is light on the maintenance, these easy-care plants are the way to go.

These plants are quite hardy and can stand a considerable amount of neglect.  Although there are still care instructions that need to be followed to increase the life and quality of your plants. They require only modest amounts of water and fertilizer, but do need abundant light.

Right Light for Cacti and Succulents

Light is very important.  If the light in your home is inadequate, you have options that can be utilized.   You can purchase specially designed grow bulbs to supplement the amount of light the plant is getting. Just be aware of the light requirements for your plants when choosing this lighting method. Although plants require a lot of light to grow there is such a thing as too much light also. 

When these plants are exposed to too much light, they can take on a yellowish color. While numerous species thrive in light, intense light can cause major health problems. It is important to be able to diagnose the signs of too much light exposure to provide the best growing conditions for your plants.

If your plants start to take on a bleach-out appearance, move to a lower light area. The exact light ratio for your plant may differ but a good guideline to follow is 14 hours of sunlight to 10 hours of darkness.

Proper Watering for Succulent House Plants

Cacti and succulents need watering during the growing season whenever the potting mix dries out.  When watering, a good tip to prevent overwatering from happening is to place the pot in a shallow dish full of water.  The plant will soak up all of the water it needs through the drainage hole in a period of 1-2 hours.

Clay pots are ideal for these plants because they allow the excess moisture to evaporate. Complete this task and don’t worry about it again for another month unless the plant is starting to get a shriveled look.

Water plants sparingly during the dormant periods. Give them just enough water to keep the roots alive and never allow them to become dehydrated. You must not let the foliage and stems go limp and shrivel up.

Cacti and succulents are easy care plants that are not bothered by many pests.  You must always wear gloves when handling cactus plants because they have spines that can put in a very prickly situation.