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Cactus & Succulent Care

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our FAQ section, your guide to successful cactus and succulent care. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or just starting your plant journey, we’re here to help you cultivate thriving plants.

Explore the sections below to find the answers you need and watch your collection flourish.

What should I do while waiting for my plants to arrive?
Don’t panic if the delivery is delayed. Properly packed plants can survive for weeks. Use this time to prepare your pots, cactus soil mix, and planting space.

Ensure you have ordered a porous cactus or succulent soil mix online. This media should drain well and not retain excess water. Making your own at home can be challenging, so buying pre-made mix from trusted sources is recommended.

Carefully unbox each plant, inspecting for health issues. Handle small succulents gently to avoid breaking them. Check pachypodiums and longer plants to ensure they are intact and support them if needed. Keep seeds aside in a cool, dry place until ready to sow.

Look for signs of scale, mites, fungus, or rot. If damaged or rotting parts are found, cut away the affected areas, dry for 15 days, and treat with mild insecticide if necessary. Allow the plant to dry for at least 5–7 days before proceeding.

Callousing involves drying the plant in a shady, cool place for 3–5 days to seal wounds received during transit. This helps prevent infection and encourages healthy root formation when repotted.

Use a well-drained, dry potting mix. Do not water immediately or pack the soil tightly around the roots; let the plant settle naturally.

Avoid watering for at least a week. Let the plant dehydrate slightly before watering again to prevent root rot.
Keep them in shade initially. Gradually acclimate by exposing them to morning and evening sun, slowly increasing light levels after they recover and show new growth. Avoid direct, intense sunlight immediately after planting.
  • Record the planting date in your cactus diary.
  • Take photos to track growth and progress.
  • Share your new plant with friends and recommend trusted online nurseries or growers.
Why don't my cacti thrive as well as those in nurseries or shows?
Your cacti may not be thriving due to any one or more of factors related to light, air, water, and nutrients, collectively remembered as L.A.W.N.

Light is crucial. Ensure a uniform light strength throughout the day and across the year. Avoid exposing plants to strong sunlight only during specific parts of the day. In winter, shift plants to ensure they receive adequate light. Use shade nets or filtered light if the sun is too intense, as fluctuations can cause sunburn, scorching, irregular growth bands, or etiolation.

Good air circulation prevents rot, especially in confined spaces. During monsoons, a fan can help dry excess water from the plant and media, cool the plant, and enhance transpiration, which supports the uptake of food and water from the soil.
Watering should not follow a strict schedule. Ensure the media is thoroughly dry before re-watering during the growing season. Beware of water-repellent dry organic fibers or waterlogged media, as both can harm roots and plant health. Use effective cactus media to avoid these issues.
Proper nutrients are vital, but the media must support root growth and be free from accumulated salts, with a low pH. Use low EC cocopeat to minimize salt content. Provide nutrients during the growing season only, and avoid over-fertilization to prevent skin cracking. Opt for simple additives like amino acid mixes or organic additives such as bone meal. Avoid excessive pampering.
Why do many people ask, "Kya yeh plant chalega?" (Will this plant do well here)?
Many buyers lack detailed knowledge about the specific needs of exotic plants from different regions, leading to uncertainty about whether a plant will thrive in their local climate. Sellers often give generic answers, which may not be helpful or accurate.
Exotic plants originate from specific regions with unique climates. If they could grow easily everywhere, they’d be common in local nurseries. Growing them successfully involves understanding their native conditions and making efforts to replicate those conditions as much as possible.
Many nursery outlets are primarily trading posts that sell plants without providing tailored care instructions. They often give generic responses such as watering “twice a week,” “full sun” or “shade,” which may not suit every plant or location.
Research the plant’s natural habitat—look at pictures of its wild relatives—and try to mimic those conditions. For example, some cacti grow in rocky crevices and prefer shaded spots, while some air plants thrive in high humidity but should not be kept constantly wet.

Several factors matter:

  • Light: Duration and intensity of sunlight (photo-period and light percentage).
  • Temperature: Local climate and temperature fluctuations.
  • Humidity: Humidity levels and how they relate to the plant’s native environment.
  • Watering: Amount and frequency depend on pot size, media, placement, and season.
  • Soil/Media: Proper, well-draining media suited to the plant’s needs.
Water thoroughly when the media is dry, ensuring water flows through the pot and reaches the roots. Avoid overwatering or letting media become waterlogged. Observe your plant’s leaves and body-if they droop, it might need water. Use mulching or insulate pots to reduce water loss.
Understand what each fertilizer or supplement does. Mix fertilizers into the soil during re-potting or use foliar sprays with surfactants for better absorption. Feed during active growth and avoid fertilizing during dormancy or in hot, humid weather to prevent rot. Keep schedules simple and observe your plants’ responses.
Yes and No. In nature, there’s no strict indoor or outdoor classification. Many plants need indirect or dappled light, often found under trees or rocks. Adjust placement with shade nets or filters, considering your latitude, to simulate their native environment.
Thick terracotta pots are ideal in Indian conditions for their cooling properties. Alternatively, decorative planters for display are great, with the actual growing pots inside for flexibility. Re-potting into larger containers upon purchase is often necessary, as many plants are sold root-bound.
Cocopeat is a cost-effective media but must include aeration additives like perlite. Cocopeat can become hydrophobic when dry and is challenging to rehydrate. It’s best to re-pot plants into media you are comfortable with and that drains well.
Absolutely! Enthusiasts around India are successfully growing diverse plants—like carnivorous plants in Kerala, Euphorbias in Uttar Pradesh, water lilies in Himachal, and air plants in NCR. With proper research, adaptation, and patience, your passion can take you anywhere.

Have a question not covered here? Please contact us we’ll get back to you with a personalized answer within 48 hours.