🌿 The 6 Pillars of Succulent Care

☀️ Sunlight

Most cacti and succulents need 4–6 hours of bright light daily. A south- or east-facing windowsill works well indoors; outdoors, morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal for tender varieties.

💧 Watering

Water deeply, but infrequently. The plant needs to be soaked well, then left undisturbed for a few days. Never water when the soil is still moist. Appropriate watering schedules for different types of succulents:

• Cacti: water once every 5–6 days in summer. Reduce watering significantly in winter (once a month or less). Protect from excessive rain during monsoon — occasional rain is good for health.
• Euphorbia (with foliage): water once every 5–6 days in summer. Reduce watering significantly in winter. Will tolerate occasional rain.
• Euphorbia (without foliage / cactoid): water once a week in summer. Reduce watering significantly in winter. Protect from excessive rain — occasional rain is good.
• Succulents (Agaves, Haworthias, Asclepiads & others): more water-tolerant. Water every 4–6 days in summer, reduce in winter (twice or thrice a month). Will tolerate some rain, yet no succulent likes its roots to stay continuously wet!

🪴 Soil & Potting

Use a well-draining cactus mix — never regular garden soil that holds moisture and stays wet for long. Use less organic and more mineral-rich potting medium, since organic matter holds moisture. A mix of Perlite (or Featherlite/Pumice) and Cinder in a 1:3 ratio, occasionally with a small amount of cocopeat, works perfectly. Always ensure your pot has drainage holes.

🌡️ Temperature

Most cacti and succulents thrive between 15°C–32°C and enjoy warm, dry conditions. Protect plants from frost and prolonged temperatures below 10°C, and avoid placing them somewhere with sudden temperature swings, like right next to an AC vent.

🌾 Fertilising

You can feed lightly during the growing season (March–September), although changing the potting mix every 2–3 years is a better option than relying on chemical fertilisers. Use a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertiliser diluted to 1/4th strength, and feed only once a year at most. Never use garden compost/manure on succulents — it's heavy in organic matter and unsuitable for these plants.

🔄 Repotting

Repot every 2–3 years, or when you see roots emerging from the drainage holes. Spring is the best time. Use gloves and folded newspaper to handle spiny specimens safely. Never water immediately after repotting a succulent.