Most cacti and succulents require at least four to six hours of direct sun or filtered sunlight for proper growth and flowering.Windows with northern exposure or areas with too much shade are not the best spots for cacti. Rotate your plants every few months so they do not grow lopsided. Ideally, cacti need as much sunshine and air circulation to bloom as well as grow. If you do not have at least four to six hours of filtered sunlight indoors, move the cactus to the patio or a place outdoors where it will receive some sun and air. Do this procedure for about once or twice a month.Without sufficient sunshine, cacti might not properly grow straight. Without sufficient sunshine, some plants may need to be supported or staked because they can easily be blown over by the wind or because they get top-heavy with blossoms or fruit.

During the active growing season (spring and summer), you need to water more frequently to allow for new growth. The best way to determine whether a cactus needs water is to provide moisture when the top 1/2 inch of soil feels dry to the finger. The soil should be thoroughly wetted at each watering, and allowed to dry before water is added again. Some gardeners use a moisture meter to determine how dry or wet the compost is. If you are watering or spraying your plants, do it after the sun has set as water droplets can act as lenses in the daytime and burn the tender skin of your plants. The best way to water cacti is to pour water into the gravel top dressing. If you have a large collection of plants, you may water overhead with a light spray. Most cacti and succulents like a dry climate, yet there are some that need a damp, tropical environment. To recreate such an environment for your plants that are indoors, you can use a hand-held spray to gently mist the leaves.

For cacti and succulents to grow properly, sufficient air circulation is needed. If indoors, keep the plants near a window and rotate them to outdoors about every once a week to receive natural air.

Because drainage is essential to thriving cacti and succulents, you need to use a well-drained cactus mix to prevent the cacti from root and stem rot. Cacti and succulents need a porous and quick draining mixture to thrive such as a mix that has three basic ingredients: sand, potting mix, and pumice. These particles interact with water and provide nurtrients to the roots. The porosity of the soil is essential to maintain a healthy plant, to prevent roots from rotting, and to allow the plant to absorb the water. You can simply combine some clean sand with potting mix or purchase prepared cactus soil is sold at most garden centers and nurseries.

Extreme temperatures of heat and cold can lead the plants to shock or abrupt changes in growth. For example, plants that are in its growing period will enter a dormant period. Most cacti and succulents grow properly with at least a temperature of 61 ºF. Plants grown in humid areas would need higher temperatures of 70-90 ºF.

What if your plant turns yellow, red or orange? This condition may be a trace element deficiency. With regular fertilizing, your cacti will recover. If they do not recover, then it might be an imbalance of soil pH. These come in the form of granules of organic resin, which have nutrient substrates inside. Upon getting wet, they release their consistency very slowly, but continuously. These can be added in the beginning of spring, so that they run out just before the winter.

Stunted growth, deformed limbs or leaves and a general decline are all clues that your plant may be pot-bound. Pot-bound or root-bound means that the roots of a plant outgrow a pot and begin to spiral around the inside or poke through the drain holes. Such plants as snake plants (Sansevireria species) and many cacti, like being root-bound. When repotting, you should try to not disturb the roots because broken roots are very susceptible to rotting. Be sure the pot is dry before transplanting, and transplant into dry soil. Wait a week before watering to allow for the damaged roots to repair. If grown in a container, March is the best time for transplanting into a larger container, or as soon as new growth begins. After repotting, no water is needed until the soil becomes very dry. During the summer, water more often than in the winter. In the winter months, water just enough water should be given to prevent the shoots from shriveling. The solution to pot-bound plants is moving them into slightly larger pots. When you transplant your cactus plants, you will provide better growth.

Always use a sharp pair of pruners when pruning or trimming succulents. Blunt pruning tools create ragged cuts that may become infected. Select top heavy leaves that have branched out from the parent stem. Using the pruners, cut straight across the stem just below the leaf joint. To prevent disease, cut as close as you can to the joint. Do not leave a stub. Continue to prune old, stunted, or diseased stems at the base of the plant. Follow the procedure as explained in #2. Remove any brown stem end. Cut across the healthy section of the stem just below the brown section.