Cacti plants are quite popular because they are strong and easy to maintain. They are beautiful and make excellent indoor plants. From the large flowers of Orchid cactus to the hairy Old Man Cactus, these plants can transform your indoor spaces with their magnificent display. They are also undemanding and can withstand mistreatment for relatively long periods.
But how do you choose the perfect spot at home for your cactus? Cacti plants can survive and thrive in any part of your home as long as you provide them with ideal growing conditions. Ensure you maintain the recommended temperature, humidity level, and light. You should also water your plants appropriately and occasionally feed them.
Whether you want to place them in your living room, bathroom, or bedroom, all you have to do is to do it the right way.
In this post, we discuss everything you need to know about choosing the perfect spot in your home for your cactus and what it means to have these succulents indoors. Read on to find out everything you need to know.
Ideal Conditions for Growing Cacti Plants Indoors
Before you even start thinking about choosing the perfect spot for your indoor cacti, you need to understand ideal growing conditions for these succulents. With the right care, these plants can survive in any part of your home. Our focus is on temperature, lighting, and humidity requirements
1. Light requirements
What comes to your mind when you think of cacti plants? You probably picture desert plants adapted to growing in arid conditions. While this illustration is somehow skewed, it represents one critical part of an ideal cacti habitat- light.
Like other succulents, cacti plants in an indoor setting will always crave the brightest spot of your house, especially during winter. This is the primary reason why you are encouraged to position your plants near a south or east-facing window.
The same thing applies during the warmer months of the year. Ensure you choose a well-protected location where plants receive plenty of bright but indirect sunlight. Also, take time to research your specific cactus species and provide it with the ideal light. These succulents also need adequate light to bloom.
2. Temperature
Different rooms in your home have varying temperatures. For instance, your kitchen’s temperature might not be the same as the temperature in your bedroom. Therefore, you need to ensure you are providing your plant with the right temperature at all times.
The majority of cacti plants love a relatively warmer temperature to thrive. The ideal temperature for these succulents is between 65oF and 90oF.
During the dormant months in winter and fall, you should maintain temperatures between 45oF and 55oF. Consider shifting your plants from one room to another or improvise on lighting to ensure you meet the desired temperature.
Combining ideal temperatures with good airflow will help you achieve amazing results. Most cacti plants can survive in slightly hotter rooms.
3. Humidity
One of the biggest problems that gardeners encounter is maintaining ideal humidity for their indoor cacti plants. Keep in mind that if you keep your plants in a room with central heating or any other form of artificial heating, the results can be catastrophic.
The ideal relative humidity for cacti plants is usually between 40%-60%. Most homes will record this level during summer, and most plants will survive in it without issues. If a plant struggles in this humidity level, all you have to do is mist it slightly and everything will be okay.
Anything below 40% is too dry for your cactus, although some desert cacti species will still be okay. Use a hygrometer to measure the relative humidity of different parts of your house before you decide where to position your plant.
Basically, the higher the temperature and the smaller the amount of vapor in the air, the lower the humidity and vice versa. Common signs of low humidity include sections of the cactus turning yellow, and its flowers withering and dying faster.
The presence of mold on the plant’s stem and signs of stem rot are some of the common indicators of high humidity.
Choosing the Perfect Spot in Your House for Your Cactus
Now that you know what it takes to grow cacti plants indoors let us determine the characteristics of a perfect spot for your plant.
Basically, you want to position your cacti in a spacious spot with plenty of room for growth to avoid moving them around constantly. Other than being spacious, the first thing you need to ensure is that your preferred spot receives plenty of bright light.
If you have a spacious room that doesn’t receive plenty of natural light but you still want to use it, consider supplementing it with artificial lighting. Be careful when shopping for the growth lights, and avoid spot-type plant lights because they are usually too hot and could easily burn your plants.
Many gardeners prefer tube plant lights or natural light fluorescent tubes. Hang the growth lights at least six inches above the tallest plant. Use the plant lights for at least 12 hours but not more than 16 hours a day, depending on how dark the room is.
The other thing you need to do is ensure that you maintain the ideal temperatures as mentioned above. If your preferred room is warmer than the recommended temperature, position your cacti plants near a window but ensure it is not touching the window glasses.
Let us now get into fine details and see the specific rooms where you can and cannot grow cacti plants indoors:
1. Can I grow cactus in the living room?
Yes, you can. As long as you have a spacious living room that receives plenty of natural light, feel to find a perfect spot in one of the brightest corners and position your cactus right there.
In fact, some people have taken the trend of growing cacti plants in the living to the next level and are now using these succulents to decorate their interior spaces.
You can try grouping three or more potted cacti plants and position them in a strategic position within your living room or have one tall cactus plant in the middle of the room to catch the attention of your visitors.
However, you need to take some precautions if you have smaller kids or pets in your home because some of the cacti species that have poisonous spines can be quite dangerous.
2. Can I grow cactus in the bathroom?
Most of us think that cacti plants cannot thrive in a bathroom because the place is always moist. But that is not the case at all. In fact, your bathroom is actually one of the best spots in your home to position these succulents because they can always draw moisture from the air when needed.
The only thing you need to pay close attention to is light. If your bathroom is facing east or south or has windows that let in plenty of sunlight, you don’t have to worry about anything. All you have to do is position your cactus on one of the south-facing or east-facing windows, and you are good to go.
In case your bathroom doesn’t receive plenty of light, consider using artificial light or go for a cactus species that does well in low light. A few cacti species enjoy low light areas as long as the humidity of the area is relatively high.
Apart from the windowsill, you can also place your cactus on the back of your toilet, on your countertop, or even on a shelf. Basically, the options are endless if you decide to go with your bathroom as the perfect spot for your cactus.
3. Can I grow cactus in the bedroom?
You may also be wondering if you can grow these beautiful plants in your bedroom. Well, the answer is yes. As long as you have enough space in your bedroom, nothing should stop you from having one or two cactus plants in the room.
If positioned in the bedroom, you need to ensure the plant (s) is close to the window to receive sufficient light. Keep in mind that it might be impossible to use growth lights in the bedroom because you will need a conducive environment while sleeping.
Therefore, your biggest consideration should be light. You will also need to keep the potting mix dry and clean and take great care because the spines pose a significant danger. If you think you can avoid touching the plant unexpectedly, that will be great. Otherwise, go for cacti species with fewer spines such as the Christmas cactus.
4. Can I grow cactus in the kitchen?
Unlike all the other rooms mentioned above, it might be relatively difficult to control your kitchen’s humidity and temperature. Therefore, growing cacti plants in the kitchen can be a little bit tricky.
But that doesn’t mean that it is entirely impossible to have one or two cacti plants in your cooking area. As long as your kitchen is spacious and has proper airflow/ventilation, you can position a cactus plant by a windowsill or over your sink.
The succulent can add a beautiful splash of color to your kitchen with its spiny and flat stem. Just make sure you find a species that can tolerate extremely low humidity levels, and you are good to go.
5. Can I grow cactus in the hallway?
Yes, you can grow cacti in your hallway. However, there are a few things to remember before doing this.
It is important to remember that cacti need sufficient light and airflow to thrive, so you will need to find an area of your hallway where they can access both elements.
You may also need to pay attention to the hall’s temperature since cacti plants don’t thrive in cold environments.
You can overcome this issue by providing adequate insulation or protecting them from drafts and icy winds.
If done correctly, your hallway could become a beautiful showroom for your cactus collection.
Indoor Cacti Care
Although you can keep your cacti in any room, it is also essential to remember that they need some care to thrive. Here are a few tips to help you achieve the best results:
- Ensure your cacti receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Water your plants when the soil is dry and avoid overwatering.
- Use a potting mix specifically designed for cacti plants.
- Feed your cactus with diluted fertilizer every three to four weeks during the growing season and cut back on feeding during winter.
- Look out for pests such as mealybugs, scales, and aphids. Take appropriate steps to eliminate them as soon as you notice them.
The Top 5 Best Cacti for Indoors
So, what are some of the best cacti for indoors? Here are our top five picks to get you started:
- Christmas Cactus: The Christmas cactus is an ideal choice for beginners looking for low-maintenance houseplants. It produces beautiful pink and white flowers that bloom in late winter or early spring, making it a perfect companion during the holiday season.
- Hen and Chicks: This particular type of cactus is easy to care for and can thrive in indirect light from windows. It produces beautiful, bright-colored flowers during summertime.
- Bunny Ears Cactus: This cylindrical cactus has excellent drought tolerance and requires minimal maintenance. Its fuzzy leaves make it ideal for growing indoors.
- Star Cactus: This type of cactus has a unique shape and is easy to care for. It can tolerate low light levels and does not need much water, making it an ideal houseplant for busy people.
- Barrel Cactus: The barrel cactus is durable and has a beautiful shape that makes it perfect for sprucing up any room. It can withstand long periods of drought and does not need much maintenance.
Final Thoughts
We cannot deny that cacti plants boast incredible beauty and bring a fulfilling visual display to your indoor spaces, especially when they bloom. However, if you must have them indoors, you need to choose a perfect spot for them to thrive and decorate your interior spaces.
With the right conditions, these succulents can thrive in any part of your house. Therefore, choosing a perfect spot for your cacti plants shouldnt be a difficult thing to do. Just make sure the light, temperature, and humidity of your preferred spot are perfect based on the recommendations we discussed above.
Last update on 2023-06-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
