The Indoor Cacti have become one of the most popular houseplants in recent years - no indoor display looks right without one. It's not hard to see why they have become so popular - they are incredibly attractive and interesting. They are exotic, unusual and have a rugged beauty about them. They come in all kinds of sizes and shapes as well, so you could have an entire display made of different cactus plants.
There are many other benefits to having a cactus in your home, other than how nice they are to look at. They can help purify the air that we breathe, which in turn has a positive impact on our productivity and stress levels.
Cacti and succulents are also incredibly popular because they are notoriously drought resistant. Does that make them easy to look after? We're going to find out in this blog, as we detail everything you need to know about indoor cactus care.
Are Cacti easy to care for?
We'll cut to the chase here - yes, cacti and succulents are incredibly easy to look after, and it all comes down to how well they can tolerate drought. Having spent most of their existence in the desert, cacti are capable of going weeks and sometimes months without water.
This is why a cactus is seen as a great present for people that may not have looked after a houseplant before. The fact that the don't require much attention makes them a great 'entry level' indoor plant - if you're worried that you won't have the time to look after a plant, but would like some in your home, start with a cactus.
Having said this, though, there are plenty of things to do with cactus care that will really help these amazing plants thrive indoors. And we're here to help you do just that.
What are Cacti?
The Cacti family is a huge one. There are over 2,000 different species of these succulent perennial plants, and within that family there is a huge range of different sizes and shapes. They all flower, which isn't something we usually associate with cacti, and they all produce seeds.
They generally hail from what is known as the New World - North and South America, usually found in the desert areas. They have fleshy stems, and little sharp prickles called Glochids, which they use as protection from herbivores. They are incredibly robust plants, which is what makes caring for them so easy. They survive in some of the harshest conditions on Earth, so your home shouldn't cause them many problems!
Some examples of cacti include the Bolivianum Forest Cactus, which have long trailing leaves, the Fishbone Cactus, which has zig-zagging trailing leaves, the African Milk Tree, more like your traditional cactus, the Bunny Ears Cactus, which has little dimples all over the leaves, and the Orchid Cacti, or Christmas Cactus, which produces bright red flowers.
How to care for a Cacti
When it comes to how to take care of a cactus indoors, there isn't a huge amount to it. We're now going to look in detail at what you need to do to help your cactus thrive, before we list our quick-fore tips for your convenience.
Let's start with water. Everyone knows that cacti don't require much water. They live in the desert, so they are used to going long periods without water. In fact, too much water can be very damaging for the cactus, so this really is a case of 'less is more'.
How often you should water a cacti depends on the season and the type of cactus, but here is a rough guide. During the warmer periods in Spring and Summer, check to see if it needs water every couple of weeks, and in the cooler seasons, Autumn and Winter, you can leave it much longer, 4-6 weeks, before you need to check.
And the checking part of that is very important - you need to let the water drain through fully before you water your cacti. If it is allowed to pool, or you give it too much, you run the risk of root rot (ensure you have sufficient drainage holes in your pot as well). With most cacti, even if you leave it too long between waterings, you can usually revive them with a drink, so if you are not sure whether it needs water or not, it's probably best to leave it.
Now let's cover light - as desert plants, cacti are used to being in bright light. They can cope with direct sun, but it will be okay with some partial shade as well. You may need to reduce your watering frequency if it's not in direct sunlight, though, as it will absorb less water in those conditions. You could always move them out to a sunny patio during warm spells in the summer, if you want to give them a little holiday!
They prefer dry conditions (like the desert) so no need to mist them, and they are pretty robust in terms of temperature (it gets very cold in the desert at night), so whatever temperature your home is, the cactus will be able to cope with it.
Finally, a little feed with a fertiliser during the Spring and Autumn could encourage flowering.
Here's a quick recap of everything you need to know about Cactus Care:
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Origins: North, South and Central America
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How much light: Bright indirect light - a South facing window would be perfect!
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Water requirements: About once every couple weeks in the growing season, but only when the top soil is dry. Every 4-6 weeks when it's cooler.
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Humidity requirements: Dry air is best!
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Soil requirements: Regular potting soil may retain too much moisture, so look for a specific cactus compost for the perfect drainage.
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Temperature requirements: 16°C to 27°C, minimum 10°C
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Pruning requirements: Most cacti won't require pruning
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Additional tip: Consider repotting your cacti every couple of years to encourage healthy root development - this will help it last for years and years!
Propagating Cacti
It is possible to propagate new plants from a cutting from your cacti - but it does take time. All you need to do is remove a segment of your plant with a sharp knife, and then leave it to dry for a couple of months. Then you can put it in a small pot with some cactus compost, callus side down, and water it for a few months (letting the soil dry between waterings). After this time, they should start to root and you have a brand new plant!
Cultivate you ideal indoor plant display with Prickle
I think we can all agree that a cactus has become a staple of any indoor plant setup - but that is just the start. Which incredible houseplants could you add to your Forest Cacti? Perhaps an entire Cactus Collection? Browse our incredible range and create your dream display - we even offer outdoor plants so you can spread the joy into your garden.
We'd love to hear from you if you have any questions about your houseplants - you can reach us on social media @prickplantsuk or email contact@prickleplants.co.uk. Our team of experts are at your service!