Growing Healthy Cactus Indoors
Cactus
Growing a cactus indoors is one of the easiest things for the budding gardener to attempt, as cacti are plants used to tough growing conditions and lack of care. Although incredibly beautiful, cacti do not require very much care at all and, in fact, thrive in the most difficult of environments, making them perfect for the less-than-qualified grower to attempt. They are ideal plants for the beginner, offering a host of benefits with just a little amount of effort.
All that cacti need to foster growth is a couple of hours of sunlight, a little bit of water, and good soil. Make sure that the soil does not retain large amounts of water as it is easy to over-water plants which thrive in desert areas. In fact, watering only once or twice every four weeks will be enough for the cactus of your choice, although this does vary from plant to plant. During the spring and summer months, more water is needed; conversely, in the winter and fall months less water is required.
Potted Cacti
The best soil to use is a mixture of commercial potting soil with sand, although sea sand is not recommended. Make sure that the pot in which you place the cactus is porous, as the most common mistake made in caring for cacti is over-watering.
Nutrients are, of course, important, and fertilization is only necessary perhaps once every month or two. Sunlight is the deciding factor as cacti love sunlight, and given the proper sunlight, soil, and water, soon you will have a beautiful, blooming cactus.
There are many reasons to choose a cactus as a house plant: with over eight thousand to choose from, the varieties of color and shape allow the casual gardener to spruce up any living space with ease. As cacti are natural survivors in the toughest of conditions, only a modicum of real care is necessary to see amazing results.
This article is nothing more than common sense. I came looking for exact things like what KIND of soil, or what KIND of nutrients. You know like “One part garden soil and two parts sand” or “(insert name) is an excellent source of nutreants” and so on, just for example. I didn’t want to read an article that simply points out what any moron knows. Every plant requires certain things. If you’re going to title an article “Growing Healthy Cactus” then give some tips and recommendations of things people need to actually know, not just pointing out they need to know it.