Cactus & Succulent Society
of New Zealand

Frequently Asked Questions - Cactus & Succulents

Do you water them?

As with ALL living organisms they need water in order to survive and grow. They need less water as they are economical with its use, and when water is available they store it within their bodies/leaves/roots for later use. So the quick answer is yes water them, usually during the growing season water whenever the soil mix has dried out from the previous watering.

Do I grow them in sand?

No. The deserts that cacti and succulents grow in are not sand, they do not have a lot of organic matter in them as it has been washed away by seasonal floods or blown away by the wind as the soil is not bound together by tree roots, but it very mineral rich and very free draining.
So grow them in a low nitrogen compost or peat based soil with extra pumice or some grit added for extra drainage. For beginners you can buy ready-made cactus mix at most gardening stores.

Where can I get some more plants?

Garden shops, large stores like "The Warehouse" or "Wal-Mart", local markets, or by joining your local society. Coromandel Cacti in Mt. Wellington, Auckland now has an on-line site for buying cactus and succulents.

Can I grow them inside?

Yes, some, as long as they have good sunlight. Some species are not suitable for indoor growing as they need high light levels. Scorching can occur if the plant is too close to the window pane with no air circulation. Indoor heating in winter may mean the plants have to be watered all year round. Some species, for example a lot of the non-cactus succulents, need less light so adapt well to indoor conditions.

Do they flower?

Yes. Once they reach maturity (one year to sixty years of age), most species given the correct conditions will flower every year. Some, for example Agaves, flower once after 30 or more years then die - hopefully leaving behind some offsets. Carnegia gigantea will reach flowering age in 50 or so years after reaching 2-3 metres in height and branching. Rebutias will flower after one to two years from seed, and flower every year if treated right. Notocactus, Mammillaria and numerous other genera flower at an early age and flower every year given the right growing conditions.

Do I need a glasshouse?

Not always. They can be grown indoors, in a conservatory, a cold-frame or even outside (they do in nature!) depending on your local climate. With a glasshouse you can control water, give good sunshine levels and provide extra heating if needed. Plants grown outside often have better spination and colours, and less prone to insect pests.

Are the spines poisonous?

No! Although as with any puncture wound, bacteria on the skin or in the air can now enter the body and cause an infection, but the spines themselves are not poisonous.

Can I drink the water inside the plant to survive in the desert?

No! The "water" would be a thick mucilage as the water inside the plants is stored in cells combined with other chemicals. It probably wouldn't taste that nice either.

Cactus & Succulent Society of New Zealand