Cacti are low-maintenance plants that don't need much attention compared to other plants, making them ideal for novice gardeners and a wonderful housewarming gift. Plus, they can also be a fantastic indoor houseplant. However, there are certain factors to be considered in order for them to thrive. So, if you want to grow your cactus collection inside your home, here are the things that you should know.
Picking a cactus
Types of cactus
There are 2 types of cactus: desert and forest one. Desert cacti are most likely to survive harsh conditions as they have spines to support them. On the other hand, Forest cacti like Blue Candle or Christmas cactus are spineless, which makes them more suitable to be grown indoors as they are not strong enough to survive under extreme conditions.
Choosing a green/healthy one
Like any other succulents, green cactus is more tolerant under a low light environment. So if you feel that your place doesn't get enough lighting, Blue Candle and Angel Wing is a great choice for you. However, if you do have a space in your home that has good lighting, you may grow a more colorful one like the Rainbow Cactus.
[Light]Give them enough light
Cactus can be grown indoors as long as you place them in a spot where they receive at least 4 to 6 hours of daily sunlight. We recommend putting them in your brightest windowsill, which is often a southeast-facing window and rotating them every day to ensure they are etiolated.
[Water]It is better to underwater
Mammillaria Pincushion Cactus | Click here to purchase
Cacti are quite tolerant of water neglect, but they are highly sensitive when it comes to overwatering. So before giving them a drink, check the soil first and ensure it is completely dry. If unsure how to do this, you may simply use a moisture meter or wooden chopstick and stick it in the soil. If you see some soil or watermark on the chopstick, then it's not time to water your cactus yet.
Additionally, it is highly recommended to use a mixture of 50% organic and inorganic soil to your cactus. Doing so would help improve the infiltration of water to go through the soil, hence, preventing it from suffering root rot due to overwatering.
Supplementing light
Like watering, Cactus also needs to get enough light for them to thrive. So find a place in your home where they can get at least 10-14 hours of bright light per day. If they don't get sufficient light, this will affect your cactus overall growth and may start to behave strangely.
To make it simple, if you see signs of discoloration, thinning, or etiolation, this means that you are not getting enough light and need to be transferred to a different spot with more sunlight. You may also use a grow light in providing them the sufficient light they need per day to ensure that your cactus grow happily and healthy.
Source: pinterest.com
There you have it! You are now ready to grow indoor cactus. Just keep in mind that, although cacti don't take too much of your time and attention, you still need to know what they like and need, so they will provide such a stunning display for your houseplant collection.
Watch the video below (and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more great videos) to see how to know when growing cactus indoors:
Enjoy your gardening with our collection of beautiful cacti and best indoor succulents. They are easy to grow, incredibly adaptable, relatively pest-free, and are low maintenance - ideal for any home, office, or garden to make a perfect green space.
Please see more Cactus Care Guide 101 to ensure years of enjoyment.
