Cactus and Succulents
Succulent is the descriptive term for all plants that store water in their leaves and stems. Cactus is the name of a large family of plants. The rule is this: All cacti are succulents but not all succulents are cacti. Spines are not the distinguishing characteristic between cacti and succulents.
Succulents that are grown in containers require more frequent watering than those grown in the ground, however, it is important not to overwater them.
The water requirements of your container-grown succulents will vary. In cool or cloudy weather, there is less evaporation from both the pot and the plant. Those grown in small or clay pots will require more frequent watering that those grown in plastic or large pots.
While heat and low humidity will not damage most succulents, they go through a period of dormancy induced by a drop in temperature. Dormant cacti in winter usually need to be watered every few weeks, just enough to prevent shriveling.
The general rule for irrigating cacti is to water them well, but infrequently. Cacti do need water, especially in the spring and summer. Use your soil probe to check the moisture level in the growing media to determine whether irrigation is required. Wet the media thoroughly, and then allow it to dry. Use these guidelines when watering these common succulents.
- Ponytail palms are not palms at all. They are succulents in the Agave family. They will develop fungal root rot when kept too wet. They prefer to dry out between waterings and they tolerate dry conditions rather well.
- Jade plants can suffer root suffocation when kept too wet. The leaves begin to shrivel and the plant may become reddish in appearance with soft stems. Try to let the plant dry out fairly well between waterings.
- Euphorbia can thrive with little water and lots of light. Water sparingly because they can develop edema when exposed to wide fluctuations in moisture levels.