When to plant
Indoor cacti and A group of plants that have thick, fleshy leaves or stems that are able to store water. This allows them to survive in arid habitats with low moisture.
If planting the more hardy types outdoors, such as sempervivums and stonecrops (Sedum), this is best done in late spring, once temperatures start warming up.
Various half-hardy or tender succulents are sold as summer bedding in spring and summer, for planting once all risk of frost has passed.
Where to plant
Most cacti and succulents are grown indoors as houseplants, in pots of free-draining, gritty compost. They like bright light, so put them on a sunny windowsill all year round, or even take them outdoors in summer to bask in the sunshine.
Cacti and succulents generally like good ventilation, especially in summer, and cope well with the dry air in centrally heated homes.
There are a few notable exceptions – tropical rainforest-dwelling succulents, such as the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) and orchid cacti (Epiphyllum) and Rhipsalis, like more frequent watering and semi-shade, so prefer an east or west facing window, although a south facing window is fine if the plant is placed behind a net curtain to shield it from hot sunshine.
During winter, it's best to give most indoor cacti and succulents a period of rest, with a night temperature of only 8-10°C (46-50°F). Central heating is not usually a problem, as long as the plants are not close to radiators, but avoid watering during this period, as this will promote weak growth. Just offer enough to make sure they don’t dry out excessively and start shrivelling. Orchid cacti however, will require watering when the Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.
Hardier succulents, such as various sempervivums and stonecrops (Sedum), can be grown outdoors, especially in mild or dry areas of the UK, and in very sheltered gardens. Give them full sun and shelter from rain, especially in winter. They will fare best in containers of free-draining, gritty compost, rather than in the ground. They can also be grown on rock gardens and in dry-stone walls or other similarly well-drained locations.
Slightly less hardy types, such as aeoniums and echeverias, may survive outdoors in the south of the country if given protection from frost and excessive wet over winter, but it is usually safest to bring them indoors.
Prepare your compost or soil
Most cacti and succulents, whether grown indoors or out, are best in containers of very free-draining, gritty compost that will not get waterlogged. You can buy ready-mixed cacti compost, or use John Innes No 2 compost and mix in up to 30 per cent grit or fine gravel by volume.
Hardy succulents can also be grown in the ground in a warm, sunny spot, but the soil must be very free draining, so avoid planting them in heavy clay soils, as these will become too wet especially over winter. Improve dry sandy soil by incorporating some organic material such as well rotted garden compost into the area before planting.
How to plant and repot
After several years, a plant that has increased in size may benefit from repotting if its roots have filled the container or the plant has outgrown its pot. This is best done in spring. Avoid repotting into too large a pot as the excess volume of soil can stay too wet and cause rot.
If grown as decorative houseplants, you may wish to group several plants which look good together into a container that's just large enough to accommodate all of them, or perhaps into an open terrarium. Use a proprietary cactus compost, or make your own using 2 parts by volume of John Innes No 2, with 1 part horticultural grit or Sharp sand is washed, gritty sand used in potting compost mixes, This is sold for gardening and is not the same as builders sharp sand.
Holding spiny plants can be tricky – use thick strips of folded newspaper as tongs or an oven glove to protect your hands.
When planting hardy succulents outdoors in containers, simply follow our guide to container planting. Just be sure to use a proprietary cactus compost, or 2 parts by volume of John Innes No 2, with 1 part horticultural grit or sharp sand mixed in, and top off with a mulch of horticultural grit or fine gravel.