Growing Tips

 

Keep Your New Plant Pals Happy and Thriving

Whether you're a seasoned collector or a proud first-time plant parent, we’ve got your back. Scroll through for tips to keep your green (and sometimes spiky or gooey) friends living their best lives.

🌿 Succulent Growing Tips

Low maintenance, high reward.

  • Light: Succulents love bright light—think sunny windowsills, patios, or places that make sunglasses necessary. Indoors? South or west-facing windows are best.

  • Water: The golden rule: when in doubt, don’t. Wait until the soil is bone-dry before watering deeply. Never let them sit in soggy soil.

  • Soil: Fast-draining cactus/succulent mix is a must. Add extra pumice or perlite if your soil’s acting clingy.

  • Potting: Always use pots with drainage holes. Pretty but deadly pots with no drainage = instant root rot sadness.

  • Extras: Stretching or pale leaves? That’s your succulent screaming, “Give me more sun!”

🪨 Caudiciform Growing Tips

The chunky charmers with underground secrets.

  • Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal—some can take full sun, but check the species. Too much sun too fast = sunburned caudex.

  • Water: These plants follow grow/sleep cycles. When they’re leafy and growing, water when dry. When dormant (bald and grumpy), back off completely.

  • Soil: Fast-draining soil is key. A gritty mix (think cactus soil + extra perlite + crushed lava rock) works wonders.

  • Potting: Shallow pots show off the caudex—and help prevent overwatering. Drainage is non-negotiable.

  • Extras: Don’t bury the caudex unless your plant prefers it. Most like to show off their weird, bulbous flair.

🌵 Cactus Growing Tips

Spiny but sweet (well… depending on who you ask).

  • Light: Cacti are sun worshippers. They need at least 4–6 hours of direct sunlight daily. The more light, the happier the cactus.

  • Water: Soak and dry. Water thoroughly only when soil is completely dry. In winter, cut back drastically—your cactus is napping.

  • Soil: A lean, sandy, fast-draining mix is best. Cactus hate soggy roots like we hate wet socks.

  • Potting: Terra cotta pots are your friend. They let the soil dry out faster and keep your cactus comfy.

  • Extras: Blooms happen with age, sun, and patience—don’t panic if your cactus just… sits there for a while.

🪰 Carnivorous Plant Growing Tips

Pretty, deadly, and weirdly addictive.

  • Light: Most carnivorous plants (like Venus flytraps, sundews, and pitcher plants) love bright, direct light. Outdoors in part sun or under strong grow lights indoors.

  • Water: Only use distilled, rain, or reverse osmosis water—tap water = plant poison. Keep soil consistently moist, especially for flytraps and sundews.

  • Soil: NO regular potting mix! Use a 50/50 mix of sphagnum peat moss and perlite (no fertilizers, ever).

  • Feeding: They’ll catch their own bugs if outside. Indoors? You can feed them tiny insects occasionally, but don’t overdo it. No burgers. No bacon. Just bugs.

  • Dormancy (for some species): Flytraps and some pitcher plants need a winter rest. Fewer leaves, less drama—just keep them cool and slightly damp.