Succulent & Cacti Care

Here at The Happy Cactus we like to say that succulents and cacti thrive on neglect! What does this mean exactly? Well, essentially, they do best with minimal watering and attention, and they are most commonly killed by overwatering. Because they cannot regulate how much water their roots absorb, if they are left in perpetually moist soil they will continue “drinking” the water until their cells literally pop.

A good rule of thumb when trying to determine if your succulent or cactus needs to be watered is to only give it a drink when the soil is completely dry. Stick your finger into the soil and if the dirt does not stick to your skin it is likely ready for some water. Most succulents only need to be watered once a week, a few tablespoons per 2” plant. Wait a week and if the soil has totally dried out (without separating from the edges of the container) you have given your plant the perfect amount of water!

Pay extra attention when watering plants that are in pots without drainage holes. They will not dry out nearly as quickly as those that provide an escape for the water. When watering plants with adequate drainage you can drench them with water every two weeks.