Potty for low maintenance plants
Succulents and cacti are among the easiest of indoor plants there are to care for, reveals LOUISE MIDGLEY
THIS diverse group of distinctive looking plants has long had a reputation for being just the ticket for beginner gardeners or busy individuals who tend to neglect their green offspring. And yet their undemanding nature is just one of several assets they possess that has grabbed the attention of indoor gardeners who covet their quirky shapes and silhouettes.
“I first became interested in cacti and succulents when I found they suited my lifestyle,” says Gynelle Leon, owner of PRICK, London’s first cacti and succulent shop. “I was really busy at the time and other plants that needed regular attention looked sad quickly if I neglected them.”
“Cacti and succulents are enduring, they are strong enough to withstand harsh environments and their unreal forms and structures make them look like sculptures.”
Gynelle turned her vision of a retail outlet for succulents and cacti into a reality when she opened her contemporary, white walled plant shop in Hackney in 2016 after taking the bold step of leaving her job as a fraud analyst and selling her flat.
The enterprise was perfectly timed to coincide with an upsurge of interest in house plants from a younger generation who appreciated the benefits of bringing nature indoors. Entrepreneurial Gynelle’s creative venture is currently booming, with online sales of plants and bespoke pots quadrupling since the onset of lockdown.
All succulents, and that includes cacti which are also classified as succulents, are characterised by their ability to store water within their leaves or stems, enabling them to cope during periods of drought.
Ensure they have clear drainage holes at the base of their pots and give them a drink only when the soil has dried out. Overwatering and allowing the roots to sit in water will cause the plants to rot. When repotting, use a free-draining compost and handle any spiky cactus plants with great care by using tongs or wearing leather gloves, as some have needle-like spines.
Members of both families need a light and airy environment to thrive, such as a bright windowsill and will benefit from a period of rest during the shortest days of the year, which simply means less watering.