Easy to Grow Houseplants – Cactus and Succulents (Cactaceae)
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If you are looking for easy, no-fuss house plants, then cacti and succulents are for you. Read on to learn more about growing cacti and succulent plants indoors.
I love growing houseplants not only because they bring beauty to my home, but because they boost my mood, increase creativity, reduce stress, and eliminate air pollutants which make for a healthier, happier you. Indoor plants don’t just look good, they make us feel good too!
I also hear this all the time. I don’t have a green thumb. Folks, everyone has a green thumb in one way or another. That’s why I started this series on easy home plants to grow.
I will share my ups and downs with my favorite houseplants with tips and tricks of the trades so that you can grow your own beautiful houseplants. And even more, you can pass this information down to others too.
So, let’s get our hands dirty!
history
Cactus originated in the Americas many years ago. There are thousands of species of cactus plants that exist in the wild, including two large groups of cacti grown as houseplants: desert cacti and forest cacti. Both groups thrive indoors with relatively little maintenance and come in many sizes. Desert cacti typically bear spines or hair and are shaped like paddles, balls, or obelisks. Forest cacti hail from sub-tropical regions which include succulents, bromeliads, etc. Both desert and forest cacti are slow-growing, boast beautiful blooms, and are among the sturdiest of all houseplants.
The most well-known decorative succulent is the Christmas cactus, which is native to Brazil, and blooms in red, pink, purple, and yellow. I recently found a yellow Christmas cactus and I can’t wait to see it when it blooms later this fall.
care
Among the toughest of all houseplants, the desert, and forest cacti are one of the easiest houseplants to care for. The beauty of their leaves and flowers makes such a great statement in your home. Since they come in many sizes, they are perfect for a sunny windowsill.
Cacti require only bright sunlight and enjoy sitting near a sunny window. A spot that receives filtered bright light in the summer such as direct light from south or west windows.
Water can be the enemy of cacti, so be very sparingly when watering. Cut down watering in the wintertime when the plant goes dormant. I have found that I only water my cactus bowl maybe once a month. These plants store water in their leaves and use it when needed.
When it comes to fertilizing cacti, forget it. Remember these plants thrive in some of the worst conditions on earth. This is one plant that I never fertilize.
You can move your cactus outdoors during the summer to provide summer light and warm temperatures. When the temps drop below 50 degrees, it’s time to bring them back indoors. Make sure they are in pots that drain well, so if they are rained on, they won’t sit in water.
pruning
Pruning usually isn’t necessary unless growth needs to be regulated. Deadheading the flowers isn’t really an issue since the flowers tend to drop off on their own anyway. I will cut back my Christmas cactus and use those cuttings to start new plants.
potting and repotting
Cactus grow best in a fast-draining soil mix designed specifically formulated for cacti. They also grow well in regular potting soil amended with sand, pebbles, or perlite to increase drainage. I usually just buy soil for cacti. I also like to put small pebbles on top after I’m finished planting not only because it looks nice, but because succulents and cactus love to be around rocks.
I used a shallow clay pot for my cactus to display them in one area. You could also do this in an open terrarium or small mason jars. I have found several nice small cacti at the big box stores in so many different colors. These make wonderful gifts for anyone who loves plants. Just plant a small cactus in a small mason jar, add a tag and you have a cute little gift for anyone. Below you will find some free gift tags to print out.
If you are potting cacti with really sharp spines, wrap the cacti in newspaper and wear gloves before you plant. If you have ever gotten any of those spins in your hands, you know what I am referring to.
propagating
If your cactus produces offshoots or pups, you can use them to propagate other plants. Most pups grow at the base of the plant, sharing nutrients and water from the mother plant, while others form along the stem or on the pads.
Harvesting and propagating pups are essential to the health of the mother plant to keep it healthy because the pups use nutrients that the mother plant needs to survive. In the picture above you will see 3 pups that I removed from other cactus and planted with larger cactus.
Remove a pup carefully by either taking a clean knife and cutting it off or by simply pulling it away from the mother plant. Place the plant down into the dirt a bit and over time it will start growing roots. Give your pups a misting of water for several weeks and place them where they receive sunshine most of the day. Since cacti are slow growers, you may not see any growth from pups for several weeks.
I have read that if you let the pups sit out and dry for a few days so they will form a callus before planting will help them grow. I’ve never tried this process and my pups have grown well just putting them straight into the soil. I have also put Christmas Cactus cuttings in water and they have rooted that way too.
letting the cactus plant bloom
For cactus to bloom they need to receive at least four to six hours of sunlight and the proper amount of water (but not too much!). The most important factor for blooms is to let your cactus experience a period of going dormant which means when sunlight and water are reduced. It is during this time that some cacti like the Christmas cactus bloom. This usually happens naturally if your plants are sitting near sunlight when the days become shorter.
common problems
All types of cactus can suffer from infestations of mealybugs, scales, fungus gnats, and spider mites.1 Symptoms include shriveled leaves, a mold coating the leaves, and the appearance of bugs on the stems or in the soil. The best way to take care of pests is to carefully wash pests off using a spray and wipe off the leaves with a cloth or cotton swab.
Overwatering your cactus can cause a fungus to grow on the soil and plant. It can also cause bacterial rot on the plant. It’s best at this point to remove the infected area or simply start over with a new plant.
frequently asked questions
Cactus are very easy to care for once their climate, sun, and water needs are met. Maintain those conditions, and your plant can live for many years.
The cactus plant is a slow-growing plant and makes for a great plant in an area where there isn’t much room.
Indoor cactus plants should last for about ten years, but some delicate species might only last a few months. I’ve had Christmas cactus to last longer than 10 years.
It is believed that a cactus is a symbol of warmth, protection, and motherly love. Because cactus plants can survive harsh conditions, they are considered protectors and make great gift plants.
free garden gift tags
Looking for garden gift tags? Download this 8 x 10 sheet of 4 tags to cut out. Use a hole punch on the top circle for the twine to go through.
Set your printer for an 8×10 size and print on thick card stock.
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If you have any garden questions or have found a great new plant to grow, let us know about it. Gardening is learning from others and sharing new ideas really helps me with future posts to pass along to you.
My Garden Favs
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Free houseplant Printable
Looking for a printable of easy-care houseplants?
This is an 8.5 x 11 printable to print and frame at home using heavy-weight cardstock. Or send it to your favorite printer for no-worry printing. I prefer this method for a more true color printing.
Click on the button below to download the print to your computer.
I’m just a country girl loving my geeky life with my wonderful husband, always taking pictures, getting my hands dirty in the garden, being crafty, exploring with travels and enjoying all this on a budget. But above all, living my faith as a child of God!
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I am all about easy when it comes to plants. I tend to kill them. I might have to try a succulent.
I tend to kill house plants so I am all for no fuss ones. I do like the look of these plants.
I love having houseplants. I have both a succulent and cactus. I love them both, and they’re easy to care for.
I’d love to have some succulents but I’m afraid my cat would get into them. So I’d have to make sure I’m buying pet friendly plants.
My daughter loves cactus! I am going to buy her a new plant and your advice will help her to take better care of it!
Thanks for these tips about cacti. Seems like i only have a green thumb for these at the moment 🙂 we have a few in our outdoor garden as well in pots and as of now, i am happy with them and will use the tips you provided here to help me further.
Wow, thank you so much for sharing this article about easy-to-grow houseplants and cacti! As someone who loves to have greenery around the house but struggles to keep plants alive, I found this article to be incredibly useful. I can’t wait to try out some of these low-maintenance options and add some life to my living space.
Succulents really are the perfect little house plant that’s also incredibly low maintenance!
My mom really loves cactus, thanks for sharing all of these tips!
Your article on easy-to-grow cactus and succulent houseplants is fantastic! I appreciate how you provided detailed instructions on how to care for these plants, making it easy for beginners to grow them successfully. The photos were beautiful and helped illustrate the unique features of each plant. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion for these low-maintenance houseplants!
Great tips. I fall into the “I don’t have a green thumb” category, and I think it’s because I treat all my plants the same–I don’t adjust light, water, etc., and I don’t know about pruning and deadheading and the like. So this is great for the details I need! 🙂 Visiting from Wonderful Wednesday.
Christmas cactus is one of my favorites. But I think mine needs some TLC. It hasn’t been doing as well the last couple of years. The one in your photo is beautiful!