I am a collector of succulents and cacti. There is something fascinating about their look. Popular words to describe them are ‘architectural, adding texture, plump and meaty’. Some look like they are from another planet, others resemble corals. They break all canons of what a typical plant should look like, and present fabulously in glamorous new pots or quirky, rustic, recycled containers. If you visit succulent enthusiasts societies and groups (such as Cactus and Succulent Society of Australia www.cssaustralia.org.au), you will see absolutely amazing otherworldly-looking types that you never knew have existed.

Succulents are considered to be forgiving to gardeners who self confess as ‘lazy’ and want impressive looks without much effort. But as a perfectionist (he-he :-), I found they need care such as removing dried leaves and stems, prunning overgrown parts and overall tidying up. In Melbourne winters they can be bitten by frost, particularly if they are exposed to the sun after a frosty night. Their leaves go black and fall off. I assume it’s because of too rapid transition between the colder temperature of the water stored inside their leaves and a warmer otside temperature brought by the sun rays. So I wouldn’t say they completely maintenance-free.

Succulents do not form their own family of plants, but rather they are found in around 60 families. Cacti belong to Cactaceae family, they are succulents. We can say that all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti.  

Succulents are different from other types of plants in many ways. They are basically water-storing plants. Most plants go through photosynthesis (absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen) during daytime, but succulents do this at night. This is because they developed in harsh desert and coastal environment of South Africa and Latin America. To avoid moisture loss, they close the pores through which carbon dioxide and oxygen pass during daytime. At night they open them to absorb CO2, turn it into malic acid and when the light comes, process it into sugar (glucose). You could say that they are pretty much night owls who start their active life at dusk by coming to the fridge and snacking on all the yummy food. I am sure many of us can relate to that :-).

Although succulents are not really indoor plants, it is possible to grow them inside quite well. They need lots of light, air flow and occasional watering. It is well established that over-watering is one of the main reasons that kill indoor plants. It can be confusing to work out how much water cacti and succulents need. Why do I buy a perfect healthy plant in a nursery, and after a few months it becomes frail, dries out or rots, and eventually dies? If I count all the money I spent on poor creatures, it will add up to a large sum wasted...

"I love how mad people look when they talk to their plants (and pets)."

Throughout the years, through much trial and error (while counting all the money that I spent on plants that eventually died) I worked out some rescue tips when indoor succulents and cacti go into stress in spite of all the care (or because of it). Generally I would rather underwater, then overwater, i.e. water only once in a month. It often helps to put unhappy plants outside and 'forget' about them for a while (while keeping them safe from frost, burning sun, or lovely but annoying snails that feed on meaty leaves such as foxtail agave's). Natural environment helps them recover.  Outside, in my garden succulents do best in part shade.

For indoors, I highly recommend Scotts Osmocote 1L Pour+Feed Cacti & Succulents fertiliser. It is a ready to use liquid so you just add it to your pots. There is no mess of mixing concentrate with water.  I use it mainly for my indoor succulents. It gives the best result compared to almost none (that I get) from general purpose liquid fertiliser, or succulent and cacti slow release fertiliser.  I noticed a huge difference since I started applying it, as if the plants finally got the boost they were striving for all along. You just 'water' your plants as per the instructions and they spring up and start to sing!

Giving a living plant as a gift ensures the joyful memory stays after the party is over. It is a long-lasting (well, hopefully...), air-purifying, living organism where juices flow, chemistry happens and forces of nature work their magic in a mini universe of a pot. For me getting a new plant is a bit like getting a new friend.  I whisper to it "We will be very happy together!" I love how mad people look when they talk to their plants (and pets). This breaks our seriousness and solemn adult demeanour, we laugh and feel the present moment with our silent but devoted friends. Best feeling ever!