Succulents and Cacti - No Nurturing Necessary

Growing plants has many benefits and rewards, but these beauties of nature require quite a bit of time and care. If your working schedule is packed and you can't spare a few hours on a  daily basis, growing succulents and cacti may be perfect for you. They've certainly become a popular subject matter for jigsaw puzzles. You'll find some of the ones that we discuss below featured in our puzzles. 

There are hundreds of zero-maintenance succulents and cactus types, and today we’ll talk about a few, but first let’s go over the most dominant types.

Aloe

Aloe succulents are known to possess numerous medical properties; Aloe vera is arguably the most popular representative of this type, although each sub-group is different than the next in terms of size, required care, and looks.

Some of the most notable Aloe plants are the elegant Black Beauty, the petite Crosby’s Prolific, the Doran Black, which actually has white flowers, the prickly Hellskloof Bells, and Torch Aloe while the Christmas Carol arguably has the most beautiful flower.

Aloe plants are fairly resistant to hot temperatures and high humidity. Room temperature is perfect for them (around 24 C), although they won’t mind an ambient below 15 C either. They should be watered deeply and infrequently. Watering them once every second-third week during springtime should be enough while they need even less water come autumn and winter.

In terms of lighting, they’re best kept in bright places while exposing them to direct sunlight should be avoided. But, it's okay to put one next to a study lamp! And they look gorgeous next to cute pups too!

"Yorkies Are My Type" shedding a little lamp light on aloe

Haworthia

The gorgeous aloe lookalikes, Haworthia plants are easy to care for and are exceptionally popular plants among home gardeners. Even though they’re typically between 3-5 inches tall, some could grow as big as 20 inches; even the largest Haworthia plants can be kept indoors.

These plants require very little amounts of water and can grow to be healthy under most conditions as far as moisture and lighting are of concern. They shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight, though. They are ideally grown in potting soil mixed with either pumice or perlite.

One of the reasons why this is an ideal “care-free” plant is that it isn’t particularly phased by any type of humidity. It does, however, need good ventilation.

Some of the most popular Haworthia plant types are the tiny Mutica and Star Cactuses; the Haowrthiopsis Concolor resembles Aloe Black Beauty while Reinwardtii requires the least maintenance. And Haworthia Fastigiata is well known as Zebra Cactus.

Can you spot the Haworthia Fastigiata in "Terrarium Cat"?

Echeveria

Echeveria sub-groups are very diverse and almost completely dissimilar when compared to one another. They vary in terms of size, color, structure, and required maintenance, although the vast majority of types can easily endure harsh weather and temperatures.

Although there are dozens of Echeveria species, the famed Black Prince, Afterglow, Gorgon’s Grotto, Neon Breakers, and Lola are among the most popular ones, all of which can easily be grown either indoors or outdoors.

Curly Locks may be the most famous winter Echeveria. It can survive temperatures that are slightly below zero, although it’s not particularly cold-hardy. Like most Echeveria plants, it requires water when the soil totally dries out; it welcomes full sun, although it will grow healthily even when kept in the shade.

A lot of wonderful cacti and succulents in "Succulent Garden"

Opuntia

The most famous family of cacti is Opuntia. All species of Opuntia have arms shaped like paddles and are remarkably resistant to extreme temperatures. Furthermore, the fruits of the vast majority of Opuntias are edible and surprisingly tasty and nutritious.

Party Favor, Pink Forst and Pina Colada have bright red, pinkish flowers with dark green leaves while Texas Prickly Pear and Black-spined Prickly Pear have dark-red, almost purplish fruits and slightly warmer-colored leaves. 

The only Opuntia species that bears little semblance to other groups is Opuntia Microdasys Albata, which is more commonly called Angel Wings (or Bunny Ears). Its pads are a bit wider and rounder, completely covered in petite spines, and they’re a bit more difficult to handle. Additionally, they’re the only species of Opuntia that can’t survive temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius.

Mammillaria

Mammillaria succulents are among the most common gifts due to their small size and gorgeous outlook. These cacti can basically sustain themselves with a bare minimum of water, and they don’t mind temperatures below zero.

Although there aren’t many sub-groups of Mammillaria, they’re distinctly different from each other and have different requirements.

The Ladyfinger Cactus is generally favored by beginner gardeners, as it can’t grow beyond 12 inches, it can endure temperatures below 6 degrees Celsius, and it can be put anywhere.

Mammillaria Gracilis Gragilis, otherwise known as the Thimble Cactus normally grows in small clusters. Its spines are petite, but sharp nonetheless. Although it’s not cold-hardy per se, the Thimble Cactus can withstand freezing temperatures with ease.

One of the most gorgeous Mammillaria types is the Feather Cactus, which was named for its beautiful white ‘feathers’ (flowers). Its spines resemble spring dandelions, although they’re as sharp as those of any other cacti.

Feather Cactus needs at least a quarter of a day’s worth of sunlight and is considered the most demanding Mammillaria type, but even so, it’s remarkably easy to care for and grow indoors.

Finally, the Rainbow Pincushion is a tiny cactus plant that boasts superior resistance to cold (can endure temperatures down to –17 degrees Celsius). As stunningly beautiful as it is prickly, this Mammillaria is a very popular representative of its genus.

If taking care of cacti or succulents feels overwhelming, find peace in using your green thumb to take care of these puzzle plants.