Succulents and Cacti

Our garden center in Île-Perrot has a large variety of indoor plants, with new stock arriving in early spring. Be sure to stay up to date when we receive our first orders to get first dibs. Succulents and cacti make great indoor plants, with some even being able to face our harsh winter climate outdoors with some protection.

The difference between succulents and cacti: Cacti are a botanical family and succulents are a type of plant included in many botanical families. Thus, all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. Cactus plants tend to have no or few leaves and with rounded indentations along their stems with spines. Cacti store their water in their stems which is why they have a chunky appearance meanwhile succulents store their water in their leaves, which is why they all have swollen leaves that are firm to the touch. Cacti evolved in overly dry areas with a high amount of sun exposure. However, succulents evolved under less severe conditions where rainy season are followed by dry periods.

Care tips:

1. Make sure it has enough light.
   • Rotate plants to avoid uneven growth.
   • They thrive in direct sunlight, with up to 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
   • They can get sunburned. If you notice yellowing or browning, consider moving them to slightly darker spot.
2. Do not over- or under- water.
   • They survive without much water; however they still need water to survive.
   • The sweet spot: Check the soil every week and only water when the first 2 to 3 inches of soil (for cacti) or 1.25 inches (for succulents) are dry. Make sure to allow the soil to dry between waterings.
   • Pots with drainage holes are ideal and help avoid over-watering
   • Be sure to water succulents until water runs out of the draining holes. Be sure to use less water if its container does not have any drainage holes.
   • Over-watering can lead to root rot and cause damage to the plant. Err on the side of caution by leaning towards under-watering as they can often come back from dehydration with little problems.
   • Consider bottom-watering if your plant is potted in a pot that allows drainage through bottom holes to make sure to not water too much at once. Simply place your pot in a shallow bowl of water for while making sure to not allow water to flow in from above the pot. Add more water to the bowl if needed. Once the top of the soil is moist, remove the plant from the bowl and allow any excess water to drip out before returning it to its home spot.
   • Water needs vary throughout the year with more water needed in the summer months and less Durant the dormant months of winter.
3. Keep away from drafts and air conditioners seeing as they enjoy dry climates.
4. Watch out for their spines when handling them!
5. Keep them clean.
   • Indoor plants will accumulate dust which can inhibit their growth. Wipe them off with a damp cloth.
   • Be sure to never mist succulents.
6. Consider moving them outside during the summer months.
   • Cacti thrive outside and can lead to quicker growth.
   • No need to worry about watering them outside. The occasional rain is enough for them.
   • Be sure to keep them inside with temperatures fall below 10°C.