Cacti are plants with diverse personalities! They come in a wide array of shapes — from round barrels to tall cylinders to bubbly clumps. Some rise up straight and other crawl throughout the ground. There are species that measure just inches high and a few that develop several feet tall. Some cacti are green and others supply textural exteriors comparable to white webbing or long golden spines. And (surprise!) cacti species bloom just like different plants ( only maybe less often). When it occurs, it’s a particular treat.
Although most cacti have a prickly exterior, they couldn’t be more easy going. The truth is, cacti are one of the most low-upkeep plants around. They require so little consideration: Give them sun, a little bit water, and just enjoy them.
What’s the Difference Between Cacti and Succulents?
You hear these plant phrases throw together a lot. And they are combined lots in planting conditions too (think cacti and succulent bowls). However right here’s the difference between the two. All cacti are succulents. But not all succulents are cacti. All succulents have thick fleshy components that store water. But cacti are totally different from succulents in that they always have external spines they usually by no means have leaves. If it’s prickly, it’s probably cacti.
Other cacti are more rounded, quick, and squat, reminiscent of Blue Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus glaucescens) or Balloon Cactus (Parodia magnifica). These plants are excellent when you don’t have plenty of space or only develop in containers reminiscent of low, dishes. Other cacti develop in clusters, resembling Fairy Castle Cactus (Acanthocereus tetragonus ‘Fairy Castle’) or Lemon Ladyfinger Cactus (Mammillaria elongata ‘Lemon’).
Caring for Cacti Indoors: Light, Feeding, Water, Repotting
Adding cacti to your interior areas is easy. These straightforward-care plants match any décor, adding architectural and sculptural appeal. Pot them up in colorful containers that complement the plants’ shape, texture, and color. Add them as single specimens in a pot or group them together. Position them on a bright windowsill or tablehigh in any room. Comply with these rules for care.
1. Set in Brilliant Light
Cacti need a vivid, sunny spot inside your home. A south window is best. But most cacti are somewhere forgiving and might thrive in synthetic light, the type of light that you may need in your office.
2. Watch for Blooms
If they get sufficient light, over time, your cacti may bloom, producing white, pink, red, orange, yellow, or purple flowers, relying on the species.
3. Water Sparingly
Most cacti are natives of dry areas and have adapted to little rainfall. Indoor cactus has that very same hardy characteristic. Water plants as soon as each or three weeks. It’s best to water too little; cacti will rot if soil is simply too moist.
4. Feed Sometimes
Most cacti develop slowly and do not require fertilizer the best way quicker-growing plants do. However if you wish to feed your cactus, use a normal-purple houseplant fertilizer in spring and summer. Follow the directions on the packaging and don’t overfeed.
5. Prune or Trim If Wanted
Because they’re slow growers, you typically haven’t got to fret about pruning cacti.
6. Repot With Care
Cacti have small root systems in order that they don’t want repotting very often. Depending on the variability, as soon as each three or 4 years could also be enough. When is it time? When the roots tightly fill the inside of the container or if the plant has grown too massive to stay stable in its container. NOTE: Once you remove the cactus from the pot, you are able to do this in a wide range of ways: use tongs, gloves, or a folded towel. Take care handling cacti because their spines differ in pokiness and you don’t want to be tweezing spines out of your fingers and hands. Ouch!
