How to stop killing your cacti in 7 simple steps

Contrary to popular belief, it's actually pretty hard to keep them alive — here's how...
How to stop killing your cacti in 7 simple steps
July 27, 2018   |    Rebecca Gillam

That Pepto-Bismol pink, flat whites, avocados… There are some things that are unavoidable and unashamedly ‘millennial’. And the penchant for filling one’s small city flat with cat lady levels of cacti, succulents and air plants is one of them.

The one teeny problem is, though they’re all meant to be invincible, they’re actually pretty easy to kill. Even air plants, which literally need nothing apart from the occasional spritz turn out to be pretty, well, vincible.

So, we decided to find out what we’re doing wrong and how to actually keep cacti alive…

DON’T OVER WATER
Drowning a cactus is actually one of the most common causes of cacti death. Make sure you feel the soil before watering to check it’s completely dry. If it isn’t, wait a few days. To avoid the dreaded root rot, get a spritzer. On average, they should be watered every week or misted every two.
AIR CARE
As pretty as jars and terrariums are, cacti and succulents need air. For aesthetics and aeration, pot the plants in an old-fashioned fish bowl.

SEASONAL WATERING
Just because the soil is usually dry in 5-7 days, it doesn’t mean that’s the case all year round. Typically the plants will need more in summer, when it’s hotter and growing season, and less in winter, when it’s cooler.

USE SPECIAL SOIL
It doesn’t have to be that special, but you can by ‘cactus soil’ which holds the right amount of moisture and enables them to drain the correct amount. If you’re having trouble finding it, just mix your regular soil with a bit of sand.
how to keep succulents alive
NOT TOO HOT, NOT TOO COLD
Avoid extremes by leaving your plants somewhere out of direct sunlight, but not in the dark. Try moving it around, for bursts of sun, then time in the shade, for maximum health.

PLANT FOOD

Like us, plants need food as well as water and, as they’re not in their natural habitats, they need us to provide it.

UPSIZE THE POTS

Though the mini cacti you buy on Columbia Road are cute, they’re only that size as the pots don’t leave them room to grow. Repot occasionally to allow them to get bigger. Even if it means spoiling a ‘Grammable set-up, it’s the kind thing to do.

TOO LATE FOR TLC?

If your precious pot plant has got root rot, look for healthy parts, take some cuttings, wait for them to seal and then replant in new, fresh soil.

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