Succulent Plants - Growing Cacti and Other Succulent Plants Indoors

Cacti and other succulent plants are a strange and fascinating group of plants that are among the easiest of all plants to grow indoors.

They are popular houseplants because there are a surprising variety of colors, shapes, and sizes in this family. In fact, there are over 2,000 known species of cacti and over 6,500 known species of other succulents. They range in size from the very small to the gigantic, with some species, like the giant saguaros, that can reach heights of 50 feet or more.

The succulent group is characterized by fleshy, juicy stems that readily store water and prickly or hairy coverings. Most succulents, like the aloe and echeverias, evolved in areas where there were rainy seasons followed by long periods of draught, causing their leaves to naturally evolve into water-storing tissue. In contrast, the Cacti, which are accustomed to desert conditions, rarely have leaves (except when they are in their seedling stage) because the thin leaves would simply evaporate in the unending dryness and drought conditions of the desert.

Cacti and succulents are very easy to grow. They do, however, have a few basic needs which primarily revolve around matching the desert conditions of their natural environment as closely as possible. In a nutshell, lots of light and minimal water.

The good news with the cacti and succulent plants is that they are relatively slow growers, making them popular with plant enthusiasts because they will look great in the same spot for years and rarely need to be re-potted.

You will also find that the 10 to 30 percent humidity levels found in the average home are not a problem for cacti and other succulent plants like they are for other indoor houseplants. In fact, it's quite the opposite because cacti and succulents are already accustomed to the low humidity levels found in the deserts which range from 20 to 25 percent.

One of the hardest requirements to satisy with succulent plants (particularly cacti) is their lighting needs because the amount of light that enters the average home doesn't come close to the amount they receive in the desert. Unless you have a window that receives lots of very bright direct sunlight for most of the day, you will want to select succulent plants instead of cacti and choose a variety that is content in lower light conditions. The Snakeplant (Sansevieria trifasciata) shown in the picture to the above right is one such succulent. Other interesting succulents that can tolerate relatively low light settings are the ponytail palm (Nolina recurvata) also pictured.

Another basic need of succulent plants is temperature. Since all of these plants are originally from regions that are very hot during the growing season (late spring and summer) the year-round temperature in the average home will suffice for most succulents.

The cacti are different. Remember, the desert areas have much cooler temperatures than the your home during the off growing season (fall to spring) with average daytime temperatures of about 65 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures of about 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Without these cooler temperatures during the off-season, the cacti never gets to "rest," which causes it to develop an unattractive, spindly looking growth pattern. And without this resting period, it will not bloom.

If you live in a region that doesn't reach freezing winter temperatures, you can move your plants to a porch or patio during the off-season. For those who experience winter freezing, consider placing your plant near a basement window.

Proper watering of succulent plants and cacti will depend largely on four things: the time of year, how much light the plant receives, the size of the plant, and what kind of container it's planted in.

In general, always water with tepid water as cold water can immediately shock a plant. Sometimes cold water shock will cause succulent plants to drop otherwise healthy leaves.

Both species, cacti and succulents, should be watered in the morning and only on dry days rather than humid or cloudy days. Remember, plants use light to take in moisture through the roots which it disperses and stores in the tissue. Excess moisture evaporates into the air---something that doesn't happen easily when it's humid. If the plant is unable to cycle the water surrounding the roots in this way, the water stands around the roots and encourages them to rot. Cacti and succulent plants are very susceptible to this.

Your cacti and succulent plants will require more water during the spring and through the early fall when they are actively growing. Remember, though, that the cacti are very adept at storing water, so make absolutely certain that the soil has dried completely between waterings, and always err on the side of under-watering. Succulent plants on the other hand, require slightly more water than cacti, so allow the soil to become only moderately dry between waterings.

During their semi-dormant state in the late fall and winter, they will require only enough water to keep them hydrated. Watch for a slight softening of the tissue before you water, again remembering to err on the side of underwatering. You will notice that larger plants, or plants in plastic or glazed ceramic pots, will require less water than those in clay pots.