It is not surprising that succulents, including cacti, are popular. These low-maintenance houseplants come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, and are perfect for any home.
All it takes is light, gentle neglect to grow beautiful, healthy succulents. Place the plants near an unobstructed window that faces south, west, or east.
Don't let a lack of light stop you from enjoying these beautiful plants in your home. You will find many attractive options to give your plants the light they need. Unique LED table lights, attractive plant shelves and trolley lights, and furniture grade garden lights allow sunflowers to grow anywhere in your home.
These plants grow in cactus and succulent containers. These quick-drying mixes help reduce the risk of overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Also, to reduce this risk, use containers with drainage holes slightly larger than the root system of succulents. Growing in containers that are too large to hold moisture can cause mold, rot, and even death of your plants.
Water well when the top inch or two of the soil dries up. Some gardeners monitor the soil moisture in the drainage hole to see if it is drying and that the plants need watering. Always get rid of excess water that collects in containers.
Avoid pooling water in leaf rosettes or thorny stem tufts, which can cause crown rot. Use a watering can such as the Hawes Indoor Watering Can, which has a long, narrow spout that you can use to water the soil under the plants.
Make slight adjustments to your watering schedule and growing medium as the seasons change. Adapting to changing conditions will keep your plants healthy and looking their best all year round.
Find a cool, sunny, draft-free spot for your cacti and succulents in the fall and winter. Make the most of the amount of light they get by placing your plants near the sunniest window in your home, which usually faces south. Water well, but only when the top few centimeters of soil are dry and often enough to prevent the plants from wilting. These changes in growing conditions encourage the display of colorful and unique spring flowers.
Encourage the natural beauty of your plants by displaying them in containers or in unique spots in your home. Create a vibrant wall display with a 3-tier vertical wall planter (gardeners.com) or a mini electroplated pocket planter.
A bite of medium bean can be enjoyed all year round. Plant a variety of succulents in a tall, narrow space like Veradek's GEO Series planters. Put it on the table and put it in a sunny spot between dinners if needed. With small vessels like these heart-shaped concrete planters, you can create an attractive flat garden even if space is limited.
Whether you are a busy, experienced or new indoor gardener, creating a vegetable garden may be just what you need to brighten up your home and lift your spirits.
Melinda Myers is the author of more than 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening and the Midwest Gardener's Handbook, Second Edition. He hosts the great "How to Grow Into Anything" courses from the Melinda Garden Moment DVD, TV and radio series. Myers is a columnist and editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was hired by Gardener's Supply to write this article because of his experience. Her website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
