Cacti and Succulent Care

Let me ask you a question: do you love cacti? Are you utterly intrigued by the odd, weird shapes and flowers produced by these plants, but somehow you always kill them? Read below to find several ways to prevent this, and to help your beloved plants thrive!

1 - The most important step to not kill your cacti is this: DO NOT OVERWATER! You may want to water all your plants at the same time, on the very same day. However, this can’t be done with cacti (that is, unless cacti are the only plants you keep) because they typically need much less water than other houseplants.

I've said it before, I'll say it again (and again, and again): Overwatering is the NUMBER ONE cause of houseplant death, particularly cacti!!

Most cacti don’t like a lot of water. The reason for this is that cacti hold water inside their leaves and stems. Over time they use this stored water until it is depleted. If you accidently give your plant too much, the roots may begin to rot, so be careful.

2 - If your plant is very small, only give it enough water to completely cover the top of the soil, about once every 2 weeks or so (when it’s located in a sunny window - read on to learn about how much sunlight cacti needs). This may seem like too little, but don’t worry!The plant will tell you when it needs more water by ‘thinning out’ or wrinkling its leaves. Over time, you will anticipate the plant’s need for water and be able to water it before this occurs.

3 - If it is a larger plant, cover the surface of the soil with water – fully and evenly – until it sinks to the bottom. *Larger plants will need more water than smaller ones, since their size causes them to utilize more water. Make sure the soil is fully saturated. Water these larger plants once every month or so, unless the plant is plump and cold to the touch. This means the plant has sufficient water stored.

4 - Let the soil dry out between waterings! If your plants’ soil feels wet to the touch, don’t give it any water yet. Simply use your index finger to check the moisture in the soil. Place your finger down into the soil itself. Is it wet or dry? This method will help you keep track of your plant’s moisture level.

5 - Make sure your cacti are planted in the right kind of soil. Cactus soils are lighter and contain perlite (little white bits) which help make the soil airier and also allows for greater drainage. The soil usually contains sand as well, further adding to plant drainage. Drainage is VERY important to cacti – they prefer to be left on the drier side (i.e. think desert conditions!)

Regular potting soil will not cut it! It will retain too much water and rot your plants! Taking the extra step to have the right kind of soil will help make all the difference! If you buy a new succulent plant, check the soil. Most of the time, these plants will already be in cactus mix, but it’s a great idea to check just in case.

6 - Mind the plant pot! If you need/want to repot your plant into a decorative container you bought specifically for your new purchase, check the pot to be sure it has a drainage hole. If you leave it in the pot from the store, check for drainage holes!

7 - Give your cacti good sunlight! A western or southern window will do nicely for these houseplants. Cacti need lots of (direct) sunlight to do well, so be sure to put them in a bright, sunny window. If you don’t have a west/south window, put your plants in the brightest location you have! Shaded areas are not good for cacti, so keep this in mind when you go plant shopping! Follow these simple steps, and you'll never suffer another dead cactus ever again!

The Yellow Houseplant Mushroom...Eww!

There is a phenomena known as the “Yellow Houseplant Mushroom!” wreaking havoc on Southeastern Michiganians and their plants…. Okay, so I’m exaggerating a bit. But seriously – these mushrooms are actually kind of gross! Unless you love fungi, that is.

Let me mention this important fact at the beginning: Yellow mushrooms will NOT harm your houseplants in any way. Nor will they poison you through your fingers if you touch them. These are a few misconceptions people have about houseplant mushrooms.

Note: One thing NOT to do is eat the mushroom; these certainly aren’t of the culinary kind!

Here’s what happens: Yellow mushrooms can spontaneously pop up, literally over night, in your houseplant pots (see photo of my bamboo plant, above). There are a number of conditions that have to be met in order for these mushrooms to grow. If you’ve never seen one, that’s a good thing! Chances are, you won’t want one growing anywhere near your plants! I’ll just tell you what sort of environment they thrive in, so you’ll know how to avoid them.

For a yellow mushroom to grow, you need:
1) Lots of constant moisture – overwatering!
2) Old soil, or soil unchanged for several years
3) ‘Bad’ or cheap soil
4) Lack of good pot drainage

Mushrooms can’t develop in the soil unless your plants meet more than one of the above conditions. If you’re just a chronic overwaterer, don’t worry! Mushrooms likely won’t bother you. But in case your plants meet many of these conditions, keep reading:

Condition 1 only happens if you consistently overwater your plant AND you also meet Condition 4 – a lack of good drainage. If the pot stays very wet all the time without drying out, the conditions are ripe for mushroom development! Ever had mushrooms pop up in the garden and/or your grass after it rains for days? The reason this occurs is because mushrooms grow wherever there’s a ton of moisture. To a lesser degree, fungus also thrives in shaded areas. If your plant is largely shaded, often damp, and lacks efficient drainability, the chances are very good you might see mushrooms soon!

Conditions 2 and 3 are most certainly related. If the soil is old, it’s more prone to mold development and lacks nutrients your plants will need for continuous growth and prosperity. Of my plants that had problems with mold/mushrooms, one was my aloe plant (I was forced to repot it 2 times!), then my spider plant, and finally my bamboo plant. The mold I saw in the soil quickly turned into mushrooms, so watch out! If you observe any mold (particularly yellow) on or in your plant’s soil, it’s time to change the soil, refresh it completely, and repot your plant!

Refreshing the soil is a good idea even if you aren’t experiencing mushrooms, especially if your plant’s growth has slowed down significantly. Also, older pants need to have their soil changed every 3 years or so (sometimes more) since the nutrients will be used up over time. Think of potting soil as a plant’s vitamins; eventually, you’re going to run out and need to buy another bottle. In the same way, your plants will need new soil to keep reaping the benefits of their own ‘vitamins!’ Sorry if that sounded corny, but it seemed to fit!

If your soil is cheap (you bought a lot of soil for only a little money) there’s a chance mushrooms might be present in the soil BEFORE you even buy it! But soil cost aside, the fact is, ALL potting soil contains bacteria necessary for mushroom development and therefore can’t be avoided (unless you follow the steps at the end of this post). The mushrooms need to develop roots and grow, just like any plant you might care for. If you give them the optimum growing conditions [listed above] (even unknowingly) they will appear!

The only difference between the yellow mushrooms and houseplants is that these particular mushrooms are less than desirable, basically useless, and mostly ugly. At best, they could be called upon for interesting conversations amongst your plant/fungi/nature savvy friends and family members, if you have any.

Of course, you really are looking to avoid these conditions altogether – Then, you don’t have to suffer a mushroom invasion! However, if it happens to you (like it did to me) and DO see a mushroom, here’s what to do:

1) Remove the mushroom and discard.

2) Unpot the plant
3) Clean out the original pot, if using again, with soap and water
4) Using brand new potting soil, repot the plant, removing all the old soil from the roots. This ensures all the mold has been cleaned away, and can’t produce any more mushrooms
5) Make sure your plant has better drainage than before
6) Finally, do your best to not overwater!
In case of mushroom attack, follow the above 5 steps, and your plants won’t have to develop the icky, gross, fleshy yellow mushrooms like mine did!

If anyone has experienced this, or needs help getting rid of described mushroom producing conditions, please let me know.
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Your Houseplants and Some Ways to Make Them Love You

There are a few things you can do to make your plants fall in love with you...and they have ways of showing it!

When you walk into a room full of healthy plants, you can just tell. They look nice, and just seem happier in general. You feel happy watching them grow and develop. Showy leaves boast great color and shape, and green leaves are a healthy shade of green - never yellow or brown. A sick plant can have transparent leaves, brown spots, sunburn, or curled leaf margins.

Here are some ways to avoid the sick plant, and keep them looking amazing:

1. Give the plant good light
Good light is essential to plant health. Plants need light for photosynthesis. Too much light can spell death, while too little will equal poor, leggy development. If your plants are reaching for the nearest window, then for Gods' sake, move them closer to that window! Many plants prefer lots of indirect sun, so a west or east window will work the best. Plants that thrive on lower light can handle a north facing window. For those hardcore desert plants like cacti, give them direct sun in a south facing window. A few other full sun plants: Croton, living stones (lithops), Hens and Chicks, Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe), Basil, Chives. Many verigated plant varieties like lots of sun to keep their leaf colors looking nice and sharp!

2. Water should be room temp
Shocking the plant's root system is never a good idea, so avoid this at all costs. Use room temperature water from your tap (or distilled water if you prefer). Make sure the water isn't ice cold, but also not scalding hot: either of these temps can damage the plant! If not exactly room temp, warm water is okay, too.

3. Don't over-water!
Overwatering is the number one cause of plant death. Why? Because nearly everybody does it. Chances are you know at least one friend who’s told you: “I can’t grow plants because I always kill them.” Well the sad reality is, yes, you do. But your friends can change: When it comes to watering, in a lot of cases, less is actually more.

Overwatering can lead to root rot, fungus gnats, and a whole slew of nasty problems, ending even in death. At the very least, why waste the ten bucks you spent for that Peace Lily? Peace Lily is actually a great plant for learning when to water: when the plant is thirsty, it droops. Once you water it, it perks up again. If you buy a cactus, go easy on the watering – cacti hold water in their leaves or stems, so they need much less water than plants which don’t hold water. Here are some VERY loose guidelines for watering (based on how some plant tags are labeled in grocery stores and garden centers):

Water sparingly = water once every two to three weeks
Water frequently = Water twice a week, or when the top half-inch of soil feels dry to the touch
Keep on the dry side = only water when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry
Keep plant evenly moist = Keep the soil damp, but not soggy

Never let a plant dry out altogether. Also, make sure your plants don’t sit in water!

4. Select the right size pot for your plant
Make sure your pot size is right for your plant. Too large, and the soil cannot dry out properly. Too small, and the plant will constantly need a drink. Look to plant size when deciding which pot to select. If the plant is 6 ft tall, it will probably need at least a 10, 12 or maybe even a 14 inch pot to accommodate it. If the plant is around 5 or 6'' tall go with a 3 or 4" pot. Select a pot that will fit the root ball comfortably with room for about 1"  of soil around the roots. The pot should also be deep enough for 1 to 1.5” of soil beneath the roots, and about 2” of soil above the roots. Make sure to leave space for watering!

5. Don't skimp on soil...cheap is never good
Cheap soil is (usually) bad soil. It clumps together easily and holds a ton of water, and usually is dark colored. It also becomes as hard as a rock when it dries, making rewatering expressly difficult, since any water you add to the pot just flows down the sides of the rootball. You can buy a ton of this type of soil for very little at the hardware and other stores, but don’t be duped! Plants that like good drainage will suffer from staying too wet! If you absolutely must buy them-- or have friends who like to  buy cheap soil as gifts-- you can amend it with one part sand or perlite to make them a bit lighter.

Better still: buy more aerated soils, like Miracle-Gro Potting Soil (I know people who HATE Miracle-Gro potting mix, but in my opinion, their soil is some of the best on the market! The Miracle-Gro cactus mix is excellent for its namesake, as well as palms, citrus plants, and many succulents). Watch out: when you buy a new plant, in many cases they will already be potted in peat moss, a very wet medium. It holds A LOT of water and can potentially rot your new purchase, so the best thing to do is repot the plant into fresh soil pronto.

6. Provide humidity if needed
Plants like African Violet or Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura ) benefit from increased humidity. Use a pebble tray filled with a bit of water to just below the pebbles. Take care that the plant isn’t sitting in water! The pebbles should keep AV’s above the water. Another way to provide a quick burst of humidity is to mist your plants with a mister bottle. Clean water at room temp is best. Ever been in the grocery store by the veggies when the misters kick on? The water helps produce stay green, and so does your houseplant mister bottle! Bathrooms are an excellent place to keep plants that like lots of humidity, since your bath, shower, toilet and sink all use water, which then evaporates into the air.

Ways your plants show their love:
1. A thirsty plant will perk up
2. A well fertilized plant will stay greener longer (and look more beautiful)
3. Flowering plants will bloom
4. 'Parental' plants produce 'babies'
5. New leaf growth is a good sign!

For more on these 5 ways of plant love, see my next blog!