How To Care For A Cactus Indoors
How to care for a cactus indoors. Most people believe that cacti are all desert plants, although fairly diverse. When you take a closer look at them, you’ll notice that thousands of species exist today – ranging from 6,000 to 9,000!
While they come in various shapes and sizes, the majority of small to medium-sized indoor versions are between 8″ and 48″, with some bigger species reaching up to 70″.
Although the blossoms are their most prominent feature, the variety in their shape and form can attract the eye of even the most uninformed viewer. Forest cactus and desert cacti are the two types of cacti found.
While forest cacti thrive in moist environments, such as those found in tropical forests, desert cacti thrive in dry climates like those found in arid deserts.
How To Care For A Cactus Indoors
Some of the best places to grow a cactus are in large windows that face southeast and will get at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily.
You should put them on a bright windowsill and rotate them every day so they can be exposed to light for photosynthesis.
we will discuss here how we can care for a cactus indoors
Good light sources
Cacti and succulents thrive when placed in a bright spot. This is because they need lots of light.
The best place for them would be in a south-facing window, where they can soak up the sun, yet they should face west since they dislike direct sunlight.
That is more necessary if you want your cactus and succulent plants to grow properly, but not so much if you cherish their variegated green tones, which may fade away under strong lighting conditions!
Amount of water
There is a common misconception among prospective cacti and succulent owners that they require little to no water.
These desert-dwelling plants need water, as these succulents have developed clever methods such as storing water in their leaves and stems to help them thrive in dry habitats.
However, watering your cacti or succulents too much or too little will stunt the growth of these plants. Overwatering causes decay, but under-watering leads to the rotting process.
Amount of feed
A good formula for feeding succulents and cacti is Westland Cacti and Succulent Feed, as it helps them grow healthily in a cost-effective way.
To make the feed, use the provided dosing chamber to get a 5ml shot of the formula and add it to 1 liter of warm water.
Amount of Compost
A free-draining compost such as Westland cacti and succulent potting mix is the ideal compost to use as it contains added grit, sand, and the right ratio of nutrients for your cacti and succulents to flourish.
It also has a high water-holding capacity which means your plants will get plenty of water while still being able to drain excess moisture away, so they don’t sit in water – preventing them from rotting.
FAQS
How do you keep cactus alive indoors?
To help your greenery thrive, place plants as close as possible to the window and ensure good air circulation by rotating them once a month.
You can reduce their watering schedule for indoor cacti from once a week to once every week, especially during wintertime. Remember to avoid overwatering; about once a month should be fine for your cactus!
It’s always important to keep an eye out for any signs of trouble as soon as they appear to save your plant from any sudden rot.
Do you water the cactus from the top or bottom?
Like the method employed by expert cactus growers, water potted cacti from the bottom instead.
About once per week or whenever the pot feels light, fill a shallow saucer with about 1/2 inch of water and place your potted cactus in it for about 30 minutes or so until it sucks up all of the water.
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