Care for Succulents & Cacti | MO BLUMEN

What exactly are succulents?

Succulents are plants that can store water in their leaves, stems, or roots. This ability developed over thousands of years as an adaptation to dry, water-scarce habitats. Their thickened, fleshy plant parts — known in botanical terms as succulent — serve as water reserves during periods of drought.

Cacti are a subfamily of succulents. All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. The difference is this: cacti have areoles — small, cushion-like structures from which spines, hairs, or flowers grow. Succulents without areoles belong to other plant families.

It’s easy to see what makes these plants so popular: they look fascinating, need very little care, and are wonderfully forgiving of beginner mistakes. Whether on a windowsill, a shelf, or as part of a plant collection, succulents and cacti fit beautifully into any home.

Popular Succulent Varieties at a Glance

Echeveria: The rosette shape of the echeveria is almost hypnotic. With its perfectly arranged leaves in green, blue, pink, or violet, it’s one of the most decorative succulents of all. There are hundreds of varieties, ranging from tiny miniatures to plants as large as the palm of your hand. Echeverias love bright locations and can even handle direct sunlight.

Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is much more than just an attractive houseplant. Its gel is well known for its skin-soothing properties. As a plant, it’s wonderfully low-maintenance: a bright spot, very little water, and occasional repotting are all it needs. A mature aloe vera produces plenty of offshoots that can easily be propagated into new plants.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria): The snake plant is the perfect plant for anyone who claims they can’t keep anything alive. It survives weeks without water, copes well with low light, and even helps improve air quality. Its upright, often patterned leaves look modern and suit any interior.

Haworthia: Small, compact, and wonderfully easy to care for — haworthias are perfect desk plants. Their translucent leaf tips let light into the inside of the plant, a fascinating trick of nature. They prefer bright, indirect light and also tolerate partial shade better than most other succulents.

Jade plant (Crassula ovata): Over the years, the jade plant grows into a small, tree-like shrub. Its round, glossy leaves and branching shape make it a living work of art. With a little patience, you’ll be rewarded with a plant that brings joy for decades. If you’re looking for more impressive specimens, you’ll also find large indoor plants with us that can transform any room.

The right spot

The golden rule for succulents and cacti: as bright as possible. Most varieties come from sunny regions and need at least four to six hours of direct or bright, indirect light per day.

A south-facing window is the dream spot. East- and west-facing windows work well too. North-facing windows are too dark for most succulents — there they would become leggy, producing long, thin shoots as they stretch toward the light.

In summer, many succulents and cacti can go outside — onto the balcony or terrace. Introduce the plants slowly to direct sun to avoid sunburn. And remember: a rain shower won’t harm them, but standing water in the saucer will.

The ideal temperature is between 18 and 25 degrees. Most varieties can also handle higher temperatures without any problem. In winter, it can be cooler — many cacti even need a cool period of 5 to 12 degrees in order to bloom in spring.

Watering properly: less is definitely more

The most common mistake with succulents is too much water. These plants are adapted to dry conditions — they store water in their leaves and can survive for weeks without more. Too much moisture leads to root rot, and that is almost always fatal.

The rule of thumb: only water once the soil has dried out completely. Stick a finger about two centimeters into the soil — if it feels dry, it’s time to water. In summer, that’s usually every one to two weeks; in winter, every three to four weeks is enough.

When you water, do it properly: water thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage hole. Then pour away any excess water from the saucer. Never water over the leaves — this can lead to rot, especially with rosette-forming succulents such as Echeveria.

If you are looking for a comprehensive guide to watering, you will find what you need in our article on watering plants properly.

The right soil and repotting

Regular flower potting soil is unsuitable for succulents and cacti — it retains too much moisture. Use special cactus soil or mix regular soil with perlite, coarse sand, or pumice gravel in a 1:1 ratio. The result should be a loose, well-draining mix.

Repot every two to three years, or when the plant has clearly outgrown its pot. The new pot should only be slightly larger than the old one. Important: always use pots with a drainage hole. Without drainage, water collects at the bottom and the roots rot.

The best time for repotting is spring, when the growing season begins. After repotting, let the plant stay dry for a few days so any damaged roots can heal.

Propagating succulents: offsets and leaf cuttings

One of the biggest advantages of succulents: they are incredibly easy to propagate. There are several methods, depending on the variety:

Leaf cuttings: Gently twist a healthy leaf off the mother plant. Place it on dry soil and wait. After one to three weeks, tiny roots and a new little plant will form at the breaking point. Do not water until roots appear.

Top cuttings: Cut off the tip of a shoot, let the cut surface dry for a few days, then place the cutting into lightly moist cactus soil. This method works especially well with Echeveria, Crassula, and Sedum.

Offsets (pups): Many succulents produce side shoots that can easily be separated and planted on their own. Aloe vera, Haworthia, and many cacti propagate this way almost by themselves.

Winter care: What changes during the cold season

In winter, most succulents and cacti go into a dormant phase. That means: water less, do not fertilize, and if possible keep them a little cooler.

Many cacti need a cool winter rest between 5 and 12 degrees Celsius in order to bloom in spring. Place them in an unheated, bright room or by a cool window. Water only very sparingly — a small sip once a month is enough.

Succulents that stay indoors all year in a warm home also need less water in winter. The shorter days and lower light intensity slow their growth. Supplemental lighting with a grow lamp can help prevent leggy growth. If you’re also interested in winter flower decoration, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in our guide to Christmas flowers — including the popular Christmas cactus.

Common problems and pests

Mealybugs: Small, white, cotton-like clumps on leaves and in leaf axils. Treat affected areas with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol or spray the plant with neem oil. If the infestation is severe, isolate the plant.

Spider mites: Fine webbing and yellowish spots on the leaves point to spider mites. They appear especially in dry heated indoor air. Regularly misting the surrounding area increases humidity and helps prevent them.

Root rot: Soft, mushy stems or leaves are a sign of too much water. Take the plant out of the pot immediately, remove any rotten roots with a clean knife, and let everything dry for a few days before repotting it in fresh, dry soil.

Leggy growth: Long, thin, pale shoots mean one thing: not enough light. Move the plant to a brighter spot. You can cut back leggy shoots — the plant will then grow back in a more compact shape.

Why succulents are perfect for beginners

Succulents are very forgiving. Forgot to water them? No problem — the plant lives off its reserves. Too much sun? Most varieties love bright light. No green thumb? Succulents need surprisingly little attention to look good.

They’re also wonderfully versatile: displayed on their own on a windowsill, arranged as a mini garden in a shallow bowl, used as green décor in the bathroom, or styled as a living table decoration. Their unusual shapes and colors make them natural design objects.

If you’re looking for more easy-care plants, we recommend our guide on caring for green plants — where you’ll find tips for many more indoor plants. And if you’d like to expand your collection, you can easily buy plants in Vienna from us — with personal advice on site.

Frequently asked questions about succulents and cacti

How often do I need to water succulents?

In summer, about every one to two weeks; in winter, every three to four weeks. Only water when the soil has dried out completely. Better a little too little than a little too much.

Do cacti really need so little water?

Yes, but they still need water. During the summer growing season, cacti can be watered regularly — as long as the soil dries out well in between. In winter, hardly water them at all.

Why is my succulent turning brown?

Brown, soft spots point to rot caused by too much water. Brown, dry spots may be sunburn. Check both: your watering routine and the plant’s location.

Can I keep succulents in the bathroom?

Yes, if the bathroom has a window. The higher humidity does not harm most succulents as long as they are not left sitting in water. Aloe vera and Haworthia are especially well suited to bright bathrooms.

How do I propagate a cactus?

Many cacti produce side shoots that can be carefully removed, left to dry for a few days, and then planted in cactus soil. For cacti without offshoots, propagation from seed also works — but it takes much longer.

Do cacti really bloom?

Yes — and the flowers are often breathtakingly beautiful. Many cacti do need a cool winter rest, however, in order to develop flower buds. Without that cold spell, they often won’t bloom.

Which succulent is the easiest to care for?

Snake plant (Sansevieria) is almost impossible to kill — it survives drought, low light, and neglected care. Aloe vera and Crassula ovata are also extremely undemanding, making them ideal for beginners.