Plant notes | Succulents & Cacti

Did you know nearly all cacti are succulents but not all succulents are cacti?

Over 25 different plant families contain succulents one of which being the Cactaceae family, better known as cactus.

Succulents are characterised by their distinctly waxy, spiky or hairy exterior, which helps to create a micro habitat around the plant, reducing airflow near their surface which keeps down water loss and creates a bit of shade. 

 These hardy little characters from the desert are beautiful and easy to look after if left to thrive in the right spot. As plant owners our aim is to try to replicate their natural environment to help them flourish. A south facing windowsill is ideal. 

When it comes to watering it's best to leave your succulent or cactus till the soil is bone dry and then soak it under the tap till the water runs out the bottom of the pot as if to mimic the showers from the desert plains. Over the winter months even less water is needed and a few of your succulents lower leaves may start to shrivel and wilt but this is perfectly healthy. 

In the Spring and towards the end of the Summer your plant will benefit from some fertiliser, during the Winter you wont need to bother as the succulent will become semi-dorment and won't actively grow. 

Cacti and succulents are the plants of the moment, and it's not hard to see why, they're beautiful, affordable and easy to look after if you know how.