General Succulent Care

Cacti and succulents that trail over a planter’s edge create a beautiful vision of floral bounty. But not all of these plants have the same care needs – and each of them has a different visual appeal. Keep reading to discover 35 of the best hanging and trailing cacti and succulents and choose your favorites!

Not all cacti need pruning, but there are times when it’s essential to remove damaged tissue, manage size, or take cuttings for propagation. Learn more about the tools you’ll need, when to prune based on the type of growth, and how to make clean cuts without harming your cactus in this guide. Read more now.

Cactus sunburn can cause permanent scarring, tissue damage, and rot if left untreated. It can happen when plants are moved too quickly into intense light or during unexpected heatwaves. Learn how to prevent cactus sunburn, recognize the early signs, and the right steps to help your plant recover in this guide. Read more.

Cacti are appreciated for their easy-care nature, excellent drought tolerance, and unique appearance. And if they have problems such as mushy pads or stems, it’s usually down to a few common issues. To keep your plants strong and healthy, learn why your cactus is going soft and what to do in this guide. Read more now.

Have you noticed that some succulents seem to die after they have bloomed? Plants that do this are known as monocarpic. They may live for decades before blooming, but when they do, that’s the end of their life. Learn more about what monocarpic succulents are and check out nine species in this guide. Read more now.

Most succulent species are native to semi-arid regions and have developed specialized roots to absorb soil moisture quickly and efficiently. But the growing medium also needs excellent drainage to prevent problems like root rot. Learn how to prepare soil for outdoor succulent gardens in this guide. Read more now.

Some cacti can’t tolerate cold temperatures and when they’re exposed to a freeze they’ll suffer damage. The plants might wilt, become discolored, or develop mushy, necrotic areas. But that doesn’t mean they’re destined for the trash heap. Learn how to revive a frozen cactus and restore it to health in this guide.

Cacti are succulents suited to outdoor cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 and popular as houseplants in cooler regions. These water-wise, desert plants are drought-tolerant and overwatering can be fatal – but they do need appropriate hydration. Learn when and how to water potted cactus plants in this guide.

Cacti are succulents with fleshy stems that often have sharp spines. They make easy-care houseplants that thrive with low moisture, loose soil, and bright sunlight. Generally quite slow-growing, you won’t need to repot them very often. Learn when and how how to repot cactus plants in this guide. Read more now.

Succulents are an outstanding choice for water-wise gardens. These tough, versatile plants typically thrive in arid conditions and lean soils, and require little care or attention from the gardener. But they’ll do even better with some careful feeding. Learn about how and when to fertilize succulents in this guide.

One of the fun aspects of growing succulents is how easily they reproduce, and growing new plants from offsets or pups may be the easiest propagation technique of all. However, there are a few important steps you need to follow to ensure you are successful. Learn to propagate succulents from offsets in this guide.

Red succulents come in a variety of hues, from bright crimson to deep burgundy. These plants are a visual treat whether you’re looking for a houseplant for a windowsill, or a drought-tolerant landscaping plant for the yard. Learn about 21 of the most beautiful red succulents in this guide. Read more now.

With trailing stems or compact rosettes, succulents come in all shapes and sizes, and many of them are a cooling blue hue. This feature protects these xeric plants, which is why there are so many fabulous blue options available. Discover 29 of the best blue succulents and choose your favorites in this guide. Read more.

If you find succulents fascinating, you might want to try propagating them from seed. However, this gardening project does require a fairly long term commitment, so it’s best to understand the entire process before you get started. Learn how to propagate succulents from seed in 9 steps in this guide. Read more now.

Part of keeping your succulent plants happy and healthy isn’t just the amount of water that you provide, but what type. Municipal water can cause mineral build-up that can ultimately harm or kill your plant. Learn what water to use to raise your succulents to keep them looking and feeling their best. Read more now.

Growing succulents in the soggy Pacific Northwest takes skill. One essential piece of knowledge is understanding what time of year to put these plants into the ground or your outdoor containers. Learn the best time to plant succulents in the northwest, along with a few other growing tips in this guide. Read more now.

Cacti are resilient desert survivors, but even they’re at risk of infestation and pest damage. Our guide walks you through a handful of significant threats, how to prevent them, and how to handle them if they’re already present. Arm yourself with this know-how, and your cacti will be much better off. Read more now.

Marvelously tough and typically unfussy, succulents get a little more needy once hot summer weather subsides and winter returns. From repotting to watering to pest control and more, learn how to steward your succulents through the chillier, darker season of winter. Read more about succulent winter care in our guide.

Succulents are drought-resistant plants unique for their ability to store water in plump leaves and roots for survival in arid climates. Sometimes, excess moisture causes the leaves to discolor, soften, and rot. Read on to learn why this may happen, what to do about it, and steps to take to avoid rotting in the future.

Succulents are water-wise plants with plump leaves, fanciful shapes, and varied hues. Instead of having a collection of pots, you can use a large, shallow vessel to group your plants together in a whimsical fairy garden. Read on for idea-packed tips to create clever designs that are fun to look at and easy to care for.

Attractive, colorful, and unique plants, cacti and succulents are fabulous in containers, and require little care or maintenance. But these shallow-rooted, fleshy plants do need special soil to really thrive – one that’s fast-draining with a sandy, porous texture. Find the best DIY succulent potting soil recipe here.

Cactus longhorn beetles are prevalent in the desert climes of North America. If you grow cacti in your landscape, read on to discover which species of cacti these insect pests favor as their hosts, when they are most active, the damage they are capable of inflicting, and how to manage an infestation.

Succulents are a very popular category of plants, featuring a variety of shapes and colors, and seeming to thrive on neglect. Mites like them too, and if you let them, they’ll suck on your collection with gusto. Learn everything you need to know about succulent mites and how to deal with them in this guide. Read more now.

All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. Cacti have sharp, prominent spines that inhibit moisture loss and provide shade and protection for the fleshy stems. Many species also have clusters of smaller spines called glochids. Learn about these small yet troublesome ones so you’re not caught unawares.

Sporting sharp spines, and coming in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, cacti are also easy to propagate. There are a variety of ways you can do this, whether via cuttings, offsets, seeds, or division. To learn everything you need to know to propagate these pointy plants, visit Gardeners Path for all the details.

Low-maintenance, water-wise succulents are popular houseplants, but did you know that you can also cultivate them outdoors in the garden? Read on to discover species suited to your USDA Hardiness Zone and create eye-catching arrangements that display the varied forms, colors, and textures of these quirky desert plants.