Does cactus need sun? (2023)

How many sunlight does cactus need?

As a general rule, succulents and cacti need between 10 - 14 hours of light a day.

Give your cacti enough light.

Let them soak up the sun—but not too much—and enjoy the heat. You want things to be just right for your prickly plant. "Cacti enjoy all the attention they can get from the sun and thrive in the direct light—place them in the warmest, sunniest corner of your home.

Most succulents and cacti actually do well in bright locations with partial shade or some protection from intense sun exposure. Depending on where they originate from, some species can not tolerate full sun and will suffer from sun damage when exposed to intense heat.

Cacti plants are for low watering conditions. Due to excessive water and wrong flowerpots, overwatering and oversoaking cacti plants can lead to root rot. Low light varieties, on the other hand, also need sunlight. However, unlike full sun varieties, low-light varieties can only tolerate indirect sunlight.

Succulents and cacti “are very tolerant of low-light conditions. They don't have to be near a window to thrive,” he said. In fact, some succulents will grow in areas where there is no natural light, such as rooms without windows.

Mistletoe cactus

Though they are succulent, mistletoe cacti are a native of the South American rainforest where they grow up in the trees as epiphytes. Unlike most true cacti, they don't like full sun and they don't like dry conditions. Morning or evening sun is ideal for these low light succulents.

Can cactus grow in shade? There are some cacti that thrive in low light, but most cacti need light. In fact, the best place to keep a cactus indoors is somewhere where it can get at least 4 hours of light. Cacti need to be in the sun or bright, indirect light.

The stem may also be paler in color than it was before and its spines may be more widely spaced, shorter or even absent. Prickly Pear with etiolated stems. In the case of a prickly pear cactus (Opuntia), the pad will be elongated and tubular or tongue-shaped rather than being flat and nearly round.

Always make sure the soil is very dry all the way through between waterings. Another option is to measure the amount of water you use to make sure you're not accidentally drowning your cacti. A 1/4 to 1/2 cup, every week or two, is enough for your cactus to thrive, depending on the season.

How much sunlight and water does a cactus need?

Cacti thrive in bright sunlight up to 12 hours a day. In summer, cactus plants may need watering every week but in winter, every four to six weeks. Cacti grow in temperatures between 65°F and 80°F (18°C – 27°), low humidity, and need feeding twice or three times in the growing season.

Cactuses can also be grown in water but the technique in doing so is quite different and longer compared to other houseplants, as you have to wait for at least a week or more (depending on the weather) for the cut side to be completely dry and scar, before proceeding to next steps.

Both Vastu and Feng Shui experts suggest that cacti, although pretty, can transmit bad energy at home. It is believed that the prickly and sharp thorns on the leaves carry the bad energy in them. Cacti can bring misfortune at home and also cause stress and anxiety within the family.

Cactuses are nice plants with strong protective energy but their spines are a problem. As sharp objects, they look like thousands of tiny arrows that shoot directed energy into the surrounding space. That is why cactuses should never be placed in a living room, bedroom or the front entrance.

The best artificial light for cacti are fluorescent bulbs/tubes (and even compact bulbs) or LED grow lights like this. Don't pick mercury vapor or incandescent bulbs. For example, with 75w grow lights can cover an approximately 5-10 square feet growing area. With fluorescent tubes, the number is often higher.

A: Yes, you can grow cacti in artificial light, but natural sunlight is always best for plants.

Cacti are known for being able to stand very dry and hot environments, which makes them great additions to any washroom. They're easy to care for and very popular right now, so you should be able to find many styles easily.

Windowsill cactus (and many types of succulent plants) do well in a sunny window anywhere in the world. Cactus is a family of plants that have adapted to living in arid regions. When cactus grow as house plants south-facing windows are great.

Though extremely hearty plants, Succulents and Cacti can get sun scorched and dried out very quickly if the sun's rays are too intense. Take precaution when moving a plant from shade to full sunlight, or from inside from Winter months to direct sunlight once Spring arrives.

Offering low energy usage, low heat, and color optimized for growth, LED lights are the most efficient, effective, and customer-friendly way to grow plants at home than growing with fluorescent lights or incandescent lights.

Do succulents grow well in bathrooms?

However, most succulents (not all) are naturally hardy, they can thrive in typical bathroom conditions. These succulent plants prefer partial to full shade and high humidity, and so are the best plants for bathrooms with indirect light, filtered light, or low light conditions.

Pothos / Devil's Ivy. Palm Chamaedorea Elegans. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Zinnias are classic full sun favorite because they come in so many colors and varieties. You can find them in white, pink, purple, and every shade. They are one of my favorite flowering plants for full sun. Zinnias grow tall, making them ideal for flower borders and cutting gardens.

Root crops such as radishes, carrots, potatoes, and beets can grow in as little as 3-4 hours of direct sun with light or dappled shade for the rest of the day. Leafy greens such as lettuce, arugula, kale, bok choy, and chard are happy with just a few hours of sunshine each day.

Root crops, such as beetroot, carrots, onions and potatoes have moderate light requirements, can grow in slightly less light, and can produce in locations that only receive 4-6 hours of direct sun a day.