Cacti & Succulents in Bedford, MA
Help Your Indoor Garden Flourish With a New Succulent
New England Nurseries provides cacti and succulents to Bedford, MA residents. We boast a wide range of stone and mulch products, as well as six acres of annuals, perennials, hardy trees and shrubs, and more. Our greenhouse will have your indoor garden flourishing, and our lifestyle offerings will make the most of your garden home, setting you apart from the rest. Whether you’re looking for help starting a new garden, bulk products, or unusual plants, you can find all that and more at New England Nurseries. When you’re hunting for variety, you can rest assured you’ll find it with us. We take pride in having plants and products you can’t get elsewhere. Read on to learn more about cacti and succulents.
The Difference Between Cacti & Succulents
All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. Cacti are actually a subgroup of succulents. A succulent is a plant that stores water and nutrients within its leaves, stems, and roots. Though a cactus is a succulent, there are numerous differences between succulents and their prickly counterparts. For example, cacti are identified from their needle-like spines and often have fleshy stems. The stems of a cactus will store their water, whereas the leaves of a succulent will store theirs. Few cactus plants even have leaves. Both cacti and succulent plants can bloom, but the flowers on cactus plants are much brighter and larger than those on other succulents. Additionally, succulents cannot grow fruit. Cacti can.
The Different Types of Cactus Succulents
There are commonly recognized succulent varieties, such as aeonium, aloe, crassula, echeveria, and kalanchoe—all of which have been extremely popular for several years. Commonly recognized types of cacti include silver torch cactus, copper ladyfinger cactus, pincushion cactus, blue barrel cactus, old lady cactus, and more. Combining cacti and various succulents can make an excellent garden display.
How to Care for Cacti & Succulents
Cacti and succulents are a great place to start if you’re new to plants. They are low maintenance, and because they store water in their leaves, stems, and roots, they can be watered infrequently. It’s essential to have these plants in containers with drainage holes and to allow the soil to dry between waterings. These plants need bright sunlight but must be gradually acclimated to reduce their chances of sunburn. Inadequate light can result in etiolation.
Water Tips for Cacti & Succulent Plants
One thing you don’t want to do with your cactus or succulent plant is to over-water it. Over-watering is the most common killer of cacti and succulents. A moisture meter is a perfect tool to help you gauge the moisture level in your soil. It’s better to underwater a cactus than to overwater it. The best practice is to water your cactus or succulent plant once every week or two, depending on the temperature and whether or not it’s an indoor or outdoor plant. If temperatures are in the 90s or higher, we suggest watering your cactus or succulent plant once biweekly instead of weekly. When the temperature is too high, these types of plants go dormant and survive on the water they have stored in their leaves, stems, and roots. Reduce watering to once every three to four weeks in late fall and winter.
Fertilizer for Succulents & Cacti
When hunting for fertilizer for succulents and cacti, it’s good to use one specifically made for these plants. Most often, succulents will be hungry in the spring, summer, and early fall. This is because this is the time when they are actively growing. If you need clarification on when exactly your cacti and succulents should be fertilized, it’s when they appear a little stunted.
Why Choose New England Nurseries?
The team at New England Nurseries strives to help their customers create and customize the garden of their dreams. We are passionate about plants and gardening and are happy to share our knowledge with our customers. We love working with beginners and experts, and everyone in between. We offer a wide range of products, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Bird Food
- Birding Supplies
- Garden Accents
- Home Décor
- Garden Solutions
- Gardening Tools & Supplies
- Lawn Care Supplies
- Outdoor Furniture
- Pottery & Containers
- Seeds & Seed Starting Supplies
Contact Us Today About Cacti & Succulents
Our knowledge team is here to help you achieve your indoor and outdoor dreams and goals when it comes to gardening and plant growth. We take pride in being a wealth of knowledge and resources for our valued customers. Whether you’re looking to learn gardening best practices or which type of cactus is the most durable, our team can help. To learn more about cacti and succulents, fill out our contact form or call us to speak with our professional team. We look forward to assisting you.