The term succulent refers to a broad, loose category of plants, including cacti, which have developed thick fleshy leaves or stems. These serve as water storage organs to insure survival under arid conditions. Succulents are found worldwide. Besides cacti, they include many familiar plants: jade plant (Crassula arborescens), medicine plant (Aloe barbadensis), century plant (Agave americana), flowering Kalanchoes (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) sold as gift plants as well as sedums (Sedum sp.), and hens and chicks (Sempervivum sp.) that are common in the perennial garden.
Many cacti and succulents are extremely well adapted to living in houses where the relative humidity is low, 10 to 30 percent. They require only modest amounts of water and fertilizer, but do need abundant light. They should be placed in a bright, sunny window.
In nature, most cacti and succulents are found growing in open, well-drained sandy soil. These conditions should be duplicated indoors. A mix of one part potting soil and one part course sand is usually porous enough. A good test is to moisten the mixture and squeeze it in your had. On release, the soil should fall apart. Both pot and growing medium should be sterile. Ideally, these plants should be grown in pots with drainage holes because excess water trapped in the soil will result in rotting and decay in a very short time.
During the low-light winter months, cacti and succulents should be watered only enough to prevent shrinking and withering. When watering, do it thoroughly. Water should flow through the drain holes, and the excess should be discarded after a few minutes. A series of repeated shallow sprinklings often results in distorted growth. As the amount of light increases in the spring, so does the plant’s need for water. The soil, however, should always be allowed to dry out between watering. Many cacti and succulents benefit from spending the summer months outdoors. Once the weather warms up they should be placed in a semi-shaded, protected area of the yard and then gradually moved to a sunnier location. Avoid locations where they will receive the hot, intense sunlight from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Once outdoors, these plants will require more water and should be checked regularly.
Cacti and succulents are not troubled much by pests. If they have mealybugs or scale, the problem can be controlled by wiping them off with cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol. Fungal or bacterial rots can almost always be prevented by maintaining adequate cultural conditions, which are bright light and proper watering.
Cacti and succulents can be propagated easily by stem cuttings. Many succulents will form new plants from leaves which have been broken off. Allow the cutting wound to air dry before sticking the cutting into slightly moistened, sterile sand. Water sparingly since moisture retention is not a problem. When the roots have formed, transplant into the regular sand and potting soil mixture.
