Caring for a cactus or succulent plant

Just Bought a Cactus or Succulent? Start Here.

Bringing home your first cactus or succulent is exciting — and maybe a little bit intimidating.

Good news! Cactus and succulent plants are among the easiest houseplants you can grow.

The key is understanding one simple truth: They prefer a bit of neglect over too much love.

Let’s walk through exactly what to do (and what not to do) to get your relationship off to a good start.

Step 1: Where Should I Put It?

The most important factor is light. 🔆

Cacti and most succulents need:

Bright light
Ideally 6 to 8 hours per day
A sunny window (south or west-facing is best)

If your home doesn’t get strong sunlight, place the plant as close to the brightest window as possible. If it starts stretching taller, leaning, or growing pale it’s asking for more light.

💡 If natural light is limited, a small full-spectrum grow light placed 6–12 inches above the plant works very well. Here is an example:

Plant light example---click here

Step 2: Do I Need to Repot It?

Usually: No. Not right away.

Costa Farms plants are already planted in a well-draining mix.

Wait at least a few months before repotting unless:

Roots are coming out of the bottom of the pot to the degree that they are starting to block the drainage holes
The pot has no drainage....cactus and succulents always do best in a pot with excellent drainage.
The soil stays wet for more than 10–14 days

If you repot later, always use a cactus/succulent potting mix and a pot with drainage holes.

Potting mix for cactus and succulents example --- click here

Step 3: When Do I Water It?

This is where most beginners go wrong.

Do not water on a schedule.

Instead:

Touch the soil. Cactus and succulents will do best if 95 percent of the soil in the pot is allowed to dry before watering again.
If it feels completely dry all the way down — water. A reliable way to check soil moisture is by using a wooden toothpick, barbeque kabob, or chopstick. Gently slide the wooden stick down into the soil about halfway down the pot, then pull it back out. If the toothpick comes out clean and dry, it’s time to water. If soil sticks to the stick or it feels damp, there is still moisture in the pot and you should wait before watering again. This method helps prevent overwatering and gives a clearer picture of what’s happening below the soil surface.
If it's still moist — wait.

For most indoor homes:

Spring/Summer: you're likely looking at watering every 2–3 weeks but always check the soil first.
Fall/Winter: you're likely looking at watering every 3–4+ weeks but always check the soil first.

When you do water:

Water thoroughly until it drains out the bottom. This can be tricky because their soil is allowed to dry significantly between waterings. When soil goes very dry, it can turn hydrophobic. Hydraphobic means the soil has a hard time absorbing the moisture when it is added...it just runs off. When this happens the soil needs to be reconditioned. To do this it is best to take the plant to the sink. It must be in a highly drainable pot. Turn on a thin stream of room temperature water and allow the water to run all over the soil. Let this run for a good 30 seconds. Once the soil is moist to the touch turn the water off but leave the plant in the sink until any excess water has drained away.
Always check and empty the decorative pot or drip tray after about 10 minutes.
Then ignore it again until fully dry.

🚫 Do not mist.
🚫 Do not give small “sips.”
🚫 Do not water weekly unless soil is fully dry.

Step 4: What Should It Look/Feel Like?

Healthy cactus & succulents should look/feel:

Firm (not squishy)
Upright (not stretched or floppy)
Colorful (not pale and stretched out)

If leaves are:

Soft & translucent → overwatered
Wrinkled & thin → underwatered
Tall and stretched → needs more light

Step 5: What About Fertilizer?

You don’t need to fertilize right away. Cactus and succulents are not heavy feeders.

If you choose to feed:

Feed lightly in spring and summer only
Use a time-release fertilizer pellet made for houseplants
Do not fertilize in winter

These are slow growers. More fertilizer does not mean faster success. Using more fertilizer than the product calls for will likely result in root burn. Apply as directed on the label.

Step 6: Seasonal Changes

In winter:

Growth slows down
Soil dries more slowly
Water much less frequently---always check soil moisture before watering

In summer:

Plants may grow more
Soil dries faster
Check soil slightly more often

If you move your plant outdoors for summer, introduce it gradually to avoid sunburn. When a plant has been kept as a houseplant it becomes more sensitive to direct sun exposure. When bringing it out and placing it in direct sun give the plant about 7 days to adjust. Over the course of a week, gradually move the plant to brighter locations each day. In the beginning make sure the plant only gets morning sun, then sun until noon, then sun until 2, then by the end of a week it can be in full sun all day with no issues.

The 4 Biggest Beginner Mistakes

Watering too often
Not giving enough light
Using pots without drainage
Panicking and overcorrecting

When in doubt:
Wait before watering. Move closer to light.

Final Reassurance

Cacti and succulents are tough.

If you forget to water for a while? They’ll likely forgive you.

If you overwater repeatedly? That’s when problems start.

Keep it bright. Let it dry. Don’t overthink it.

You’ve got this. 🌵

If you have questions: info@costafarms.com