Plant Care

Succulents & Cacti

Succulents and Cacti (a sub-group of succulents) are fairly hardy plants which store water in their leaves. As their leaves are often thick and fleshy they tend to thrive in dry climates and don’t like a lot of humidity. 

Light

Succulents and cacti love light and need about six hours of sun per day.  Newly planted succulents and cacti can scorch in direct sunlight, so you may need to gradually introduce them to full sun exposure or initially provide shade with a shade cloth.

Water

During spring and summer, succulents and cacti need to be watered at least once a week.  During autumn and winter water approximately every 7 – 10 days and allow soil to dry between waterings.  Test the soil with a finger, if the top 3cms are dry then water your plant.  Soak the soil until water runs out of the drainage holes. If your container doesn’t have drainage holes, use less water.  Don’t use a spray bottle to water succulents and cacti as this can cause brittle roots and moldy leaves.

Drainage

Succulents and cacti don’t like to sit in waterlogged soil, drainage is important to prevent rot. If in a pot, they should have a drainage hole to allow excess water to escape.  If planted in a garden bed ensure the soil used drains easily (refer to soil).

Soil

Succulents and cacti need soil that drains, so regular potting soil, or garden dirt aren’t suitable. Choose cactus soil or mix potting soil with horticultural sand, pumice, or perlite. Succulent roots are very fragile so be gentle when re-potting.

Fertilise

Succulents don’t need much fertiliser, but you can give them light feedings during the spring and summer growing season. Be careful not to over fertilise, this can cause your succulent to grow too quickly and become weak.

Indoor Plants

Indoor plants come in all different shapes, sizes and degrees of hardiness. There are plenty of plants suitable for the beginner and for any position within your home.

Position

Read the labels on your indoor plants as to where to place your plants for best results. Most indoor plants like good ambient light. with some plants suited to low light conditions. Don't put them on windowsills or tables where they will get direct sun through the glass as they will burn. Keep plants away from heating or cooling vents where the temperature will fluctuate and keep them out of draughts.

Pot

The ideal pot should be light enough to carry, stable on its base, sealed/non-porous so it won’t leak, and should come with a matching saucer.  If the plant seems too big for the pot and the leaves aren't healthy and shiny the plant may need potting up. Choose a pot the next size up, tease out the roots and backfill with new potting mix. 

Water

Read the labels on your indoor plants to see whether they like being kept moist or if they prefer to dry out between waterings. When the top 3cm or so of potting mix feels quite dry to the touch

Drainage

Give enough water that the excess flows freely out through the drainage holes. Empty the saucer about 30 minutes after watering.

Soil

Always use a premium-quality potting mix. There are specialty mixes available for particular types of plants. For example, a cactus and succulent mix for succulents and other plants needing a coarse, sandy soil that drains very well.

Fertilise

Indoor plants also don’t require much fertiliser but do benefit from the use of a slow release fertiliser every spring.

Dust

Over time indoor plants will get an accumulation of dust on their foliage. A simple solution is to put them outside in the rain for a wash or dust the leaves with a microfibre dust mit ($5 from Bunnings).

Natives

Australian native plants, trees and flowers are becoming popular again thanks to their sustainable and easy-to-manage nature. Although there are native plants to suit every garden, you are best to choose native plants indigenous to your area, taking into account weather patterns especially in winter and summer.

Water

Water your new plants in well.  It is better to water seldom and well, rather than often for a short period of time. Once the native plants are established, water slightly away from the plants so that you are watering into the newly expanded root zone of the plants.

Soil

Australian soils are generally low in fertility and organic matter. For clay soils dig in compost or manure and raise the soil level slightly (approx 30cm) to assist drainage. For sandy soils dig in organic matter and keep well mulched.

Mulch

Mulching your native plants helps to conserve water by reducing evaporation, it protects the soil from erosion and limits the growth of weeds. It also helps to shade the soil keeping it cooler and moister, which helps plants survive in summer. Use leaf fall, grass clippings and path sweepings as mulch on garden beds. It should be between 7.5–10cm deep and kept away from the plant stems, as this can cause rot. After a couple of years leave what mulch is there to rot down as your plants will begin to build up their own litter.

Prune

Many Australian native plants benefit from regular pruning, especially tip-pruning (pinching off the growing tips). It helps to promote healthy new growth, reduces woodiness, gives nice compact shape, a fresh look and increases the amount of flowers which attracts small birds. The best time to prune depends on the plant and why you are growing it.  If it is providing nectar, tip-prune after flowering has ceased, if seeds or fruit are the benefit, prune after these have finished.