Simply put, Cacti and Succulents are some of the most interesting plants out there! Not only do they grow all over the world in some of the harshest climates, they can survive incredible periods of time without a drop of water! Each of these drought loving plants has its own personality, and with so many different varieties many find it difficult to choose just one. Luckily, our Cactus and Succulent House is filled with a wide assortment of these spiky and not-so-spiky friends in a range of pot sizes, including pre-potted dish gardens, so you can find the perfect look and fit for your home and office.

Belgian’s Cactus and Succulent House

Our ‘Cactus and Succulent House’ offers 5,400 square feet of cacti and succulents for everyone’s enjoyment. This warm and peaceful greenhouse was renovated in 1993 and is open year-round! Along with an array of cacti is our great selection of succulents with “not-so-prickly” leaves. Find a perfect “statement” plant for your space, or create your own dish garden with our assortment of smaller plants!

The glass structure of the Cactus and Succulent House provides sunshine all year for both plants and people. Come and relax in its four season warmth, admire our majestic displays, and chase those winter blues away with ease!

Our Cactus House features beautiful stone work by Schnurr Interlocking Stone.

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Success with Cacti & Succulents – Care & Tips

Click Here to Download our Cacti & Succulents Care Pamphlet!

Light: Cacti and succulents need at least 4 hours of bright sunny direct light, preferring to be indoors in a bright sunny window year-round. They can be put outside for the summer (mid-June to early September) but they must be gradually introduced to the outdoors over a few days to reduce the risk of sunburn and stress.

Repotting: Cacti and succulents like to be rootbound. When your cactus is ready for repotting, increase the pot by one size only – if you choose too large a pot, the soil will not dry out fast enough which may cause root rot. It is best to choose a pot with a drainage hole; if your pot does not have a drainage hole, add a layer of stones or broken pottery on the bottom and be very cautious when watering. Always use cactus soil for repotting.

When handling any cacti, use kitchen tongs to help keep your hands thorn-free. For larger cacti, wrap it with layers of newspaper and lay the plant down to gently remove it from its pot.

Watering: Both cacti and succulents like to dry out very well between watering. Water thoroughly to the bottom of the pot and then drain away any excess. Make sure your plant never sits in water as this will cause rot. Watering schedules will depend on the size of the plant and the amount of light it receives at that time of year. Cacti and succulents require less frequent watering during the shorter days of winter.

The most common issue for cacti and succulents is over-watering, by either allowing plants to sit in water OR not letting them dry out completely between waterings. Check your plants often.

Watering Guide:

Watering Tips for Dish Gardens:

When watering dish gardens, water slowly and evenly around each plant. This will help ensure that all aspects of your dish garden are cared for. Many dish garden containers do not have drainage. If you have a pot without drainage, make sure you give the garden enough water to get to the bottom of the pot, but not too much that the water builds up and sits at the roots.

Fertilizer: Cacti and succulents are slow growing and can store nutrients for many months. Use cactus fertilizer twice a year; once in spring and once in summer. An all-purpose fertilizer used at half strength can also be used at the same intervals.

Temperature: Cacti and succulents can live in average house temperatures, ideally between 18°C and 20°C (64°F to 68°F). They can tolerate temperatures from 10°C to 32°C (50°F to 90°F). In cooler locations they will require watering less often.

Plant Problems: Poor watering practices are the #1 killer of most cacti and succulents. Root rot is caused from watering too often or the plant being left to sit in excess water. If this is a concern, place the plant in a warm, dry area to dry it out faster. Change your watering habits to prevent this problem from happening in the future.

Dehydration is caused from not watering deep enough or too much time occurs between waterings. To rehydrate your plants, water thoroughly and then drain excess water away. Keep in mind that some plants may not recover, even when you do everything right.

Insects: Mealy bug and Scale insects can affect cacti and succulents. Mealy bugs look like small cotton masses, while scale insects have brown or gray shells resembling bark. Both of these pests can be removed by using rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab and rubbing off the insect, then spraying with an indoor houseplant insecticide. This process must be done once a week for 2 to 3 weeks. Monitor weekly for a month after treatment to ensure all pests have been eliminated.

Pruning & Propagating Cacti & Succulents

Pruning: Cacti and succulents can be cut back when they grow too tall, get too leggy, or become top heavy. Each plant is unique and will need to be pruned to suit its own needs. Always use a clean, sharp knife or pruners. The cut will bleed white sap and then scar; this is where the plant will often branch out. Make sure that your cut is low enough to keep the plant from getting top heavy, but high enough to keep its shape.

Propagation: Cacti and succulents can be started by seeds or by taking cuttings. Seeds are very slow to germinate and it may take years to grow just one inch!

For cuttings: After you’ve cut off a section of your existing plant, lay the cut portion onto newspaper to dry and form a callus (this takes 2-3 weeks for succulents, 1-3 months for cacti). Then plant your cuttings callus-down in a small pot filled with cactus soil and water thoroughly. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings while the plant is in its rooting stage – this may take up to 3 to 6 months, so be patient!

Some varieties of succulent (including Aloe, Haworthia, and Agave) cannot be propagated by cutting. Instead, they send out side shoots called “pups” which can be removed and planted in their own pots filled with cactus soil.

As with any propagating, you will have success with some plants while having trouble with others, and some plants may not work out at all. It’s best to keep experimenting and to have fun!