Everyone loves plants, and we all want to bring some of nature inside our homes. The plants that we keep indoors make our space look better, they provide cleaner and fresher air, and they can contribute to improving our mood. Keeping a plant in your home is easier said than done, and if you are like most people, you are probably having some harsh time keeping your plants alive. If you want something that is easy to maintain, pretty hard to kill, and that will make your rooms greener and more beautiful, then you should consider getting a succulent. Even though succulents are said to be extremely easy to keep, there are some things that you need to pay attention to if you want them to thrive in your house. In this article, we are going to give you some tips on how to take care of a cactus indoors, and we will try and teach you how to make sure you position it right, and when to water it without drowning it.
Where to position it?
When it comes to succulents and different types of cactus, you should know that the position is probably the crucial thing that will determine if your plant thrives or if it dries. You should know that this type of plant loves the light, and they are the happiest when it is warm.
Because of this, you should always position them near a window, or somewhere where they can have enough natural light throughout the day. One thing that you need to pay attention to is that even though these plants love the sun, they can still get damaged by it, especially during the summer months.
Experts suggest that you should place them on the south-facing side of your home, so that they will get enough sunlight, but at the same time, they will not burn or get too much of it. You should know that the first sign that your plant is getting more heat and sunlight than it needs is a change of color. If you notice that it is getting brown or yellow, then you need to reposition it as soon as possible.
In case you don’t want to risk things, then you can pick a table or a part of your home where the plant will get protected from any sun damage, but at the same time, it will still get the light that it needs. You may need to test things out for some time, and just observe your cactus, but once you figure out the best position and location, you won’t need to change it. On the same note, if you feel that your plant is not getting enough light, you can use artificial lamps that will provide the needed care for your cactus.
As you can see on websites like www.succulentmarket.com, there are a lot of different types of cacti, and they come in different shapes and sizes, so you should pick the one for you depending on your space and personal preferences.
When to water it?
Now let’s talk about one of the most important things of all – the water. We all know that plants cannot survive without it, and it is the only way they get their needed nutrients to stay alive. However, succulents are different than the other types of plants, and you need to be really careful about when you need to put water and how much you should put in.
The rule of thumb is that the bigger the cacti are, the less water it is going to need. This is something that you need to remember for most succulents, and you should know that if you pick a smaller one, or if it is still a baby cactus, then you should pay more attention to it. However, the bigger it grows, the more you need to just leave it alone and watch it thrive.
When it comes to the exact time period on when you should put more water, it all depends on the type of plant you have, the season, how warm it is in your home, and the type of soil you have. It is said that you should water these plants about two times per month, but the succulent is placed near the window, if it is sunny, and if the temperature is high, then you may do it about once per week.
The easiest way to determine if your plant is thirsty is to look at the soil. If it is dry, and if it is starting to crack, then you definitely need to put more water. On the same note, you should know that wet soil is much darker than a dry one, so this is something that should help you determine if you need to put more liquid in.
Another thing that you can do to ensure that you need to water the plant is to just touch the soil. Put your finger in it, at least an inch or two, and feel if it is wet or dry. If there is still moisture left in it, then you should come back and check the next week.
Additional advice
Another thing that you need to know about these plants is that sometimes you will need to report them. If they are supposed to grow bigger, then they are going to need more room. Remember that the root is always as big as the part of the plant that you can see above the soil, so if you want them to grow bigger, you need to give them enough room. Always choose soil that is going to help them thrive, and if you are not sure which one is the right one depending on the type of cacti you have, you can talk to the seller and ask for their recommendation.
You should also know that there are a lot of different types of compost and succulent feed products that are going to help your plants stay healthy and grow bigger. You can find the right fertilizer with ease, once again, depending on the type of plant you have.
The easiest way to notice if your plants are in a good shape and if they are happy is just to observe them. See if there are changes in the way they look and grow depending on the temperature in your home, the place you’ve positioned them, and the type of fertilizer you use. They don’t need too much attention, and you should not report them too often. Just pay attention to your plant, and if you notice any unwanted changes, you can easily talk to an expert and follow their advice.
