Belgian Nursery Blog

February 4, 2023
Composition of variety of succulents (Echeveria Red Taurus, Haworthia fasciata, Sansevieria cylindrica) in ceramic white flower pot

Tips for Caring for Cacti & Succulents

Cacti & Succulents are some of the easiest plants to care for in the home. Here are some tips to help keep your desert dwelling friends happy and thriving all year long:

Light & Location

Minimum 4 hours of bright, direct sunlight per day, the more the better. Ideally a south or west facing window or an insulated sunroom.
Place your pots outdoors for July and August; slowly introduce them to the elements to reduce the risk of sunburn or stress.

Temperature

18 to 20°C (average home temperature) is ideal.
Can tolerate up to 32°C or as low as 15°C; change your watering schedule accordingly.

Water

Let Cacti and Succulents dry out very well between waterings.
Soil should be very light in colour, even breaking away from the edge of its pot.
Pot sizes, light, and temperature will affect your watering schedule; check your pots often.
Water thoroughly and deeply, ensuring that water comes out the bottom of the pot.
You may have to water a few times to allow the soil to absorb the moisture.
Remove any excess water from the saucer within 5 minutes.

1” to 3” pots: ¼ cup of water every 10 to 14 days
6” to 10” pots: About 4 to 6 cups of water once a month
12” pots & larger: 2 to 3 litres of water once a month from March to November, then every 6 to 8 weeks in winter months – check your pots often.

Dish Gardens: Slowly water around each individual plant to ensure all get a good deep drink. Some dish gardens do not have drainage holes so water carefully!

The most common issue for cacti and succulents is over-watering.
Never allow Cacti or Succulents to sit in water.

Fertilizer

Once in spring, once in summer (during their growing seasons).
Use Cactus fertilizer or an all-purpose fertilizer used at half-strength.

Pruning

Prune when Cacti or Succulents get too tall/too leggy/become top-heavy.
Always use a sharp, clean knife or pruners.
Cut will bleed white sap which contains latex; wear protection and exercise caution when handling cuttings.
Cut will scab over, and future branches or “arms” can eventually appear at the site.

Repotting Cacti

Cacti & Succulents grow best when pot-bound; too large a pot can cause root rot as soil will not dry out evenly.
Ideal time to repot is during Spring and Summer when Cacti & Succulents are actively growing.
When there is more root than soil, go up by 1 pot size and ensure new pot has drainage hole.
Lay Cacti on its side on top of layers of newspaper.
Use barbeque tongs to avoid spines, and gently ease the plant out of its pot.
Place new pot upright, add a few inches of Succulent and Cactus soil to the bottom.
Using tongs/multiple layers of newspaper/protective gloves, lift your Cactus into the new pot, ensuring it is centered and stable; may need to add or take away Cactus soil.
Hold Cactus upright with one hand (with tongs/gloves) and use other to fill in spaces with Succulent and Cactus soil, packing down as you go.
Place pot back in its bright, direct light location and water in thoroughly.

Repotting Succulents

Same steps as Cacti, less need for tongs or other protective equipment.
For trailing Succulents (Burro’s Tail, String of Pearls, etc.) ensure plants are very very dry before repotting; reduces risk of excessive leaf droppage.


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